by Jimmy Patrick

Created on: January 26, 2010

As much as Jim Carrey likes to try his hand at dramatic acting, his real talent, and gift to the rest of us, lies in comedy.  "Yes Man" is not his funniest work, but it has plenty of funny moments, all of which start and end with Jim Carrey just being Jim Carrey.

The film is in the same category as a previous Carrey movie: "Liar Liar."   The lead character is forced to alter his life for a short period of time by accepting a new, strict policy.  In "Liar Liar" he had to tell the truth.  In "Yes Man" he has to say yes to everything that comes his way.

Carrey plays Carl Allen, a man who has a daily routine of going to work, then coming home, then going back to work again, with the occassional stop at the local video store to make things exciting. 

His best friend Peter, played by Bradley Cooper, has to beg him, even physically drag him off for a night on the town with the guys.  Then when Carl does get out for some fun, he turns out to be no fun at all.  Peter's new fiance can't even understand how Peter can be friends with such a dull man as Carl.

Carl's life is stuck in the mud to say the least.  He has had the same job for years, and when he gets close to a promotion only to lose out, he shrugs his shoulders with little concern.  As for his love life: his wife left him years ago and took Carl's capacity for a good time with her. 

Then an old friend runs into Carl one day and tells him about a seminar that will change his life.  All he has to do is learn how to say yes, to everyone and everything.

Carl reluctantly agrees to give this mantra a try and, within just a few hours, he has driven a homeless man home, let the homeless man burn up his cell-phone battery and given all his cash to the same homeless man. 

His car has even run out of gas during this little adventure, but, just when it seems saying yes is not all it is cracked up to be, his love life takes a turn for the better.  He runs into Allison (Zooey Deschanel) at the gas station.  She offers him a ride back to his car and of course, he says yes.

A near-death experience and a quick kiss later and Carl's life has shifted into high gear.  Pretty soon he is making new friends, getting promoted at work and flying off on sponaneous trips to far away places like Lincoln, Nebraska.

The movie moves along quickly and provides plenty of awkward scenarios for Carrey to work his magic.  He will get you laughing and keep you guessing as to just what he might do next.  It is, however, certainly a more subdued comedy than some of his earlier work like "Ace Ventura" or "Dumb and Dumber." 

The story line in this one is not fresh, but it does make a valiant attempt at exploring what life might be like if all you ever did was say yes.  So, if somebody asks you to sit down and watch it, you might as well say yes and see where it leads you. 

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