Since his divorce three years ago, Carl Allen has led an unmotivated life. Following a systematic course that never alters, Carl goes through life with as little social interaction as possible. But when he runs into an old colleague, the man who has always said 'no' is about to start saying 'yes' to life and opportunity. The change, though sudden, is the result of a self-help seminar that is based on one simple covenant: say yes to everything. Unleashing the excitement and tranquility of 'yes,' Carl's life begins to transform in the most unexpected ways as he is promoted at work and even opens up the possibility of a potential romance. But like all things, 'yes' has to be said with caution, because embracing every opportunity can easily become too much of a good thing.
Starring the 'hit' or 'miss' Jim Carrey, Yes Man is a tale of acceptance and discovery; one that had the potential to overshadow what has become a string of disasters from the once bankable star. However, the film quickly takes a sharp turn south as it comes across as a Liar, Liar rip off, providing another blow to Jim Carrey and his sluggish future.
As the film opens up, we are introduced to Carl Allen as he walks through a video store selecting a handful of movies (one of which happens to be Jim Carrey's own, The Cable Guy). It is at this moment that we, as viewers, begin to see just how unhappy and lonely Carl really is. Personified by the facial expressions and over-the-top antics that helped make Jim Carrey a household name back in the 90s, Carl Allen is brought to life in full force. And while the visual antics are what create the occasional laugh, the film seems satisfied with that, rarely digging any deeper.
As a result, the film comes across as a horrific Liar, Liar ripoff, telling the story of a man who can't say yes, though for a period of time realizes that he can't say no. The effects are tremendously similar (minus the son) and although Carrey if finally returning to his comedic roots, the film will ultimately do nothing for his career. As for the jokes, a few are funny, though many fall into that medium ground of slightly humorous but mainly stupid. Throw in a mediocre at best supporting cast that features the likes of Zooey Deschanel and Bradley Cooper, and the film fails on all its promise, becoming another misfired comedy that will leave fans wondering what happened to Jim Carrey, the funny man that we all used to know and love.
