Yes Man was fun to watch, but left me feeling a little dirty that I laughed at the dumb slapstick jokes that the rows of jiggly fat ladies, and teenage girls wet their pants over. It’s a film about a change in life’s outlook; to the extreme. The novelty comes with the promise he makes to say yes to each and every opportunity that arises.
Oh Jim. He’s getting on in age, but he still knows how to get the laughs. I went into the film with the feeling that it would carry the same gimmicky story as Liar, Liar , but I was wrong. Jim Carrey drew upon his darker emotional performance reminiscent of his role in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. He felt rugged, battered, but still in tune with the comedic timing of the film.
I wasn’t sure if it was a lack of make up thing, or just age; but Jim came off creepy working with the beautiful Zooey Dechanel. When interviewed, he noted that the on screen relationship seemed off, but felt it managed to tie off well. I’d have to disagree. It feels like her character is much too young and now, and that she should be a 35+ year old actor in the league of Kate Winslet. Probably just a lapse in the casting choice than performance.
Of course you’ll get an array of different laughs like you would in any Carrey movie. Silly fights, tabasco snorting, dancing, sex with the old prune next door… Ok, maybe the wiener sucking grandma scene is a bit far? The comedy is a bit one dimensional, and I found it awkward that nobody laughed at the more intelligible jokes about political and world issues. It just leaves you wondering why you laugh so hard at Jim Carrey riding a moped with his buttcheeks exposed.
Pop culture was abundant in the film. I remember cringing a lot when seeing the Harry Potter and 300 house party. When the word Brosef was thrown in, my friend quickly sobbed that it was another great word that went mainstream. The Flight of the Conchords’ Rick Darby made sure it works with his brilliant and awkward screen connection to other characters. Blame him for ruining the word.
The love story entangled within the mix is a pleasant, but obvious touch which you can see coming from a while off. Whatever though - It still had one or two of those moments that make you want to hug your girlfriend in half. It is a nice between-season filler with a positive message to share.
In short; a novel idea for a feel-good movie, but not driven home as hard as it could have been.
Rating: 
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The Commentary
Currently 6 responses.
I think he was riding the Ducati when he was wearing the gown, not the moped.
I saw this flick over the holiday and agree completely with your review. It didn’t feel like they even tried to hide the formula in this script. But it did keep me occupied for a couple hours.
@Tarandon: Oh yes, that’s right - it is a Ducati
my bad!
I liked it. I thought it was a good movie for jim it was fun to see him in a comedy again, he is ok in movies like Number 23 but comedy is his best bet and this was a nice mix of comedy and seriousness
I’ll agree with you on many aspects. It definitely wasn’t his WORST movie but wasn’t spectacular. I found it enjoyable at many parts though, for different reasons than the mainstream jokes though haha. ;)
I think I’d like to see this film just to get that sense of what Jim Carrey was best at - back again and have it fresh in my head.
Who knows if we’ll ever get that same charm and funny humor that made him famous (with movies such as the Mask and Ace Ventura)
Looks ok, nothing that I’ll scream about but a cheap rental or 5 buck budget film wouldn’t be too bad.
@Lucas: It does feel like a straight to dvd type of film. I hope Jim gets some more whacky roles in the future instead of winding down.