Yes Man [DVD] [2008]

Yes Man is loosely based on the book by a British chap called Danny Wallace. (Hollywood is hoovering up our comedians, it seems... and if that sentence isn't laden with huffiness, I wrote it wrong.) The film and the book differ in all ways but the name, almost, so if you read it and you're hoping to see its likeness on the screen, you'll be really disappointed, maybe... but perhaps that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the film really is most good.

Zooey Deschanel (of Elf fame - she sings in this, too... such a treat!) plays the love interest and Terence Stamp is the self-help guru who galvanizes our hero. Both are excellent but, as usual, it's all about the Carrey who stars as Carl Allen, a fella whose life is a terrible shade of grey. He displays all the symptoms of depression, and his performace actually resonated quite deeply. He doesn't go out except to go to work where his day consists of answering "No" to loan applicants and he actively avoids human contact - including his friends - often going to great lengths to do so... he's created a bubble that he exists in, and he is unhappy and very much alone having bricked himself in.

Carrey is under-rated as a serious actor - but this is the same chap who gave a beautiful performance in The Truman Show. In Yes Man, his portrayal of a depressed man is really very authentic, and if you recognise his behaviour in yourself (as I did) you may find early parts of the film a little difficult. It's an out and out comedy, but seeing something so personal - shameful - on the big screen can be painful.

His humour is broad, it has to be said: many feel that it's lowest common denominator fare and it's impossible to tell someone whether they'll find something funny or not. That everyone was laughing simultaneously while watching isn't terribly convincing or telling, either. But, I laughed out loud several times, and found him hugely likeable. There's nothing cynical or mean about this, at all: it's well-natured, and happy and a much needed shot of simple, cheerful goodness in a sea of comedy that's spiteful and "confrontational" and full of knowing glances. Equally, I can well see many finding this genuinely inspirational: I'm not sure how realistic it all is, but it's certainly a wonderful message about embracing life and being less afraid of what it has to offer.

Yes Man is a lovely film; one that can very much lift your spirits. I left the film feeling really quite uplifted and comforted and I recommend it very much. Not least because everyone should see Carrey squeezed into a toddler's Hogwarts jumper at least once in their life...

When Carl's (Jim Carrey) marriage fell apart, so did his life. Even though it's been two years, he still can't move on. So he sits at home and avoids his friends. Not that Peter (Bradley Cooper) and Rooney (Danny Masterson) let him drop out of life completely. Carl works at a bank where he denies every loan that comes across his desk.

Things changes dramatically when he decides to attend a conference run by Terrence Bundley (Terrence Stamp). Singled out of the crowd, Carl is put on the spot and agrees to a new contract with himself, to say "Yes" to everything that comes his way.

And almost immediately it begins working for him as he meets Allison (Zooey Deschanel). The two begin a romance very quickly. But can Carl continue his winning streak by saying "Yes" to everything?

This is the part where I condemn the movie with faint praise.

Billed as a comedy, there were several laugh out loud moments. Emphasis on the several. I was ready to laugh hard at the entire movie, and that just didn't happen.

On the whole, the movie is pretty predictable. That was one reason I didn't find it as funny as I expected to. I saw most of the jokes coming long before the punch line. Likewise, all but a couple of the plot points were overly familiar.

On the other hand, I found the story enjoyable. I identified with Carl a little too much, so I was rooting for him to get out of his rut and enjoy life again. Heck, it even made me rethink how I am living my life. Pretty head stuff from a comedy. And the great acting from everyone in the cast made it easy to like the characters.

Since the movie is rated PG-13, I expected the language and sexual nature of some of the jokes. But there were a couple in particular that I found out of line and squirm inducing.

So the problem with the movie really comes down to the writing. I really do think there was promise in the premise for some genuine comedy, but it never developed into what it could have been. This is a definite rent before you buy.

I like Jim Carrey and I think that he does actualy have a brain which shows in his film choices. His latest works do have a point or two to add to the human experience. This film does not disappoint and puts you in the land of the living not in fantasy worlds. A good story and script which has been strengthened by carefull character writing. The actors are all good if not brilliant. Lots of good laughs and the blu ray media as always provides extra quality sound and vision. I enjoyed this film, but loses a star for unnecessarily having the old woman neighbour character.