Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Carl Allen is at a standstill. No future... Until the day he enrolls into a personal development program based on a very simple idea say yes to everything! Carl discovers with amazement the magical power of Yes and sees his professional and romantic life turned upside down overnight an unexpected promotion and a new girlfriend. But hell soon discover that better can be goods enemy and that all opportunities shouldnt be taken.

Review

Yes Man was a delight to watch. Critics had panned it a bit but unfairly in my view. Granted it is formulaic but it IS a romcom and romcoms have formulas. What made this film so great was the natural charm of Zooey Deschanel. She is beautiful of course but not in a "modely" kind of way. She has always had a freshness and honesty about her that makes her appealing. When I first saw her in "Almost Famous" playing the older sister I wished I had an older sister like that. When she played the girl lead in Big Trouble she was quirky but without any of the selfaware conceit that can often accompany quirky young female actors. I will be kind and avoid names but perhaps you can picture in your mind some of the "Tragically Hip" and ohsocool young actresses who do quirk with a smirk. Zooey Deschanel has an innocence and a friendly quality that really make her shine in the way a flower shines.

Jim Carrey was also very good in this. He is who he is goofy and loopy and elastic. This wasn't a "Serious Role" such as Truman Show serious but wasn't over the top like Ace Ventura. Maybe he's mellowed with age. I liked him as a wild kid but like him even more now that he is a bit "evened out." He is still hilarious but also a bit more human and a bit more approachable.

This movie runs through its romcom paces but each new scene while a bit predictable was nonetheless a pleasure. I felt uplifted by the end and am very glad I went even in the blizzard occurring where I am now staying. It was worth it!