Rubber-faced funnyman Jim Carrey effortlessly dominates this minor but often enjoyable comedy that employs a premise similar to the one for his 1997 hit, Liar Liar, in which he was forced to tell the truth at all times. In director Peyton Reed's Yes Man, based on the book by Danny Wallace, Carrey plays Carl Allen, a terminally depressed loan officer who turns everybody down until an old friend (John Michael Higgins) drags him to a self-help seminar run by a charismatic guru (Terence Stamp) who insists Carl open himself up to life's possibilities by saying yes to everything. Needless to say, this practice has profound consequences (most enjoyable, but some scary), while also inadvertently introducing Carl to musician/photographer Allison (Zooey Deschanel), whose own anything-goes lifestyle proves conducive to romance. While there's nothing particularly novel about Yes Man, Carrey's schtick still works well, and Deschanel is remarkably appealing as the love interest. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Jim Carrey: Extreme Yes Man” featurette on the stunts (12 min.), a six-minute gag reel, a “Future Sounds: Munchausen by Proxy” featurette on the parody band (5 min.), a “Downtime on the Set” featurette with star Carrey (4 min.), five exclusive Munchausen by Proxy music videos (“Uh-Huh,” “Yes Man,” “Star-Spangled Banner,” “Sweet Ballad,” and “Keystar”), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is “On the Set with Danny Wallace” featuring the author (9 min.), eight minutes of deleted scenes, a “Say Yes to Red Bull” featurette featuring Carrey (2 min.), a “Party Central” featurette with costar Rhys Darby in character (2 min.), and the BD Live function. Also included is a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a decent comedy.] (E. Hulse)
Yes Man
Warner, 104 min., PG-13, DVD: $28.98, Blu-ray: $35.99, Apr. 7 Volume 24, Issue 3
Yes Man
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