Review: Yes Man (2008)

[Homer Yen]

Say "Yes" to Jim Carrey
by Homer Yen
(c) 2008

Jim Carrey's popularity likely peaked in the 90s when he gave us such
unbridled farces such as "Liar Liar" and "The Mask" and "Ace Ventura".
 In a sense, you could say that this comedy plays to Carrey's
strengths as the likeable goof.  But, in that same sense, you could
say that "Yes Man" doesn't feel very modern.  His output feels dated
and quaint.  Even the film's most hilarious sequence relies on a 90s
song by Third Eye Blind.  It's funny but familiar.  Yet, if you've
liked any of those three films from the 90s and if that wacky poster
with Jim Carrey frolicking through the meadow with that wide-eyed grin
makes you smile, you will like this film because this is what Jim
Carrey is all about.

Here, Carrey plays a man named Carl who has got to be the most
negative person you'd ever meet.  And, I was wondering why people
would even pay attention to him when all he does is dodge phone calls,
brush people off, and take delight in rejecting
others/invitations/opportunities.  However, we do learn that he
doesn't live in an environment that is conducive to positivity.  His
wife left him some three years ago.  He's a loan officer at a bank
where no doubt the credit crisis forces him to decline every
application that he sees.  And his boss, desperate to be liked, is
some relic from the 70s who is a cross between Monty Python and the
Geico Insurance gecko.  As positive as I am, I'd probably readily turn
down the boss's invitations to attend his "300"-themed and "Harry
Potter"-themed parties.

In one of the better sequences, Carl is convinced to attend a meeting
that is led by a self-help expert, known as the Guru of Yes.  Played
by Terence Stamp, who wonderfully plays this role for all that it is
worth, this meeting is a hilarious send-up of anything related to The
Landmark Forum, a convention for any multi-level marketing company,
and those who have been exposed to the zen-like Law of Attraction from
the popular DVD "The Secret".  When you say "yes", you open yourself
to a world of opportunities and possibilities.  Carl makes a promise
to himself that he will say "yes" to whatever opportunity/request
comes his way.

There's a certain naivety that comes with this commitment, but Carl is
only asked to do simple things where the word "yes" doesn't get him in
too much trouble.  And soon, he is giving a homeless man a ride and
money; he is approving business loans for oddball ideas; he is
learning how to play the guitar; he is learning how to speak Korean.
Yes-Yes-Yes.  His generosity and spontaneity catches the eye of a
free-spirited girl (Zooey Deschanel) who enjoys his open-arms approach
to life.  By the way, Zooey is a ray of sunshine whose cuteness gives
the film a needed jolt of modernism.

Other than one longer-than-necessary music sequence, the film is
efficient in delivering its laughs.  And Jim Carrey gets as much
mileage as he can, especially when he has a chance to do what he does
best and let loose.  But it never reaches the comedic heights that you
would hope for.  And, Carrey has mellowed out somewhat.  Yet, you
can't fault a guy for being genuinely goofy.  And what Jim Carrey may
lack in dramatic skill or good looks in this film, he certainly makes
up with an incessant desire to entertain.  Would I recommend this
film?  *pause*  Yes.

Grade:	B-

S:	1 out of 3
L:	0 out of 3
V:	1 out of 3