It’s charming enough with some nice comedy touches, but the initially intriguing premise is soon railroaded out of sight by its desire to conform to a tried-and-tested cinematic formula.
Comment
01/05/09
Yes Man (2008)
43
%
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Reviews Counted:143
Fresh:62
Rotten:81
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: Jim Carrey's comic convulsions are the only bright spots in this otherwise dim and predictable comedy.
Theatrical Release:26-12-2008
Synopsis: Jim Carrey returns to hilarious form with this romantic comedy in the same vein as the Carrey classic LIAR LIAR. After a few stints in more serious features like ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS... [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby
Director: Peyton Reed
Reviews for Yes Man
Top CriticPut bluntly, don't be afraid to say 'no' to Yes Man.
01/05/09
Top CriticIt’s a bland, high-concept comedy where the producers seem to have entered the spirit of the thing by saying yes to every random idea the writers came up with.
01/05/09
Top CriticSort of ho-hum stuff, but nice to see a cameo from Rhys Darby, from TV's Flight of the Conchords.
01/05/09
Top CriticIt’s that rare thing – an example of Hollywood getting hold of a good idea, working on it… and not screwing it up.
01/05/09
This dreadful comedy starts from a rotten premise and goes downhill with a series of unfunny sketches, crass product placements and roles that degrade those who have ill-advisedly taken them.
01/05/09
Yes Man is a terrific feelgood comedy, with Jim Carrey in brilliant form.
01/05/09
Yes Man founders on a weak script and the rock of Carrey’s alarmingly subdued shtick. What has happened to the man who used to combine the verbal surrealism of James Joyce with the body movements of St Vitus?
01/05/09
Yes Man is not the edgy hit it so longs to be. When you look into the eyes of Stamp and the rest, what you see is embarrassed amusement. They said yes — to a big fat paycheque — and laughed all the way to the bank.
01/05/09
Likeable comedy that's enlivened by a strong premise, a handful of laugh-out-loud moments and a superb supporting cast.
01/05/09
Terence Stamp's cantankerous self-help guru is a movie high point, a subtly comic performance of contrasts between what is practised and preached. And if the film's not always funny, it certainly works as romance.
01/02/09
The central theme of this rather over-egged comedy is strong enough to keep us interested. Although the film itself is far too corny
01/01/09
Though not always successful, the movie does prove that Carrey could evolve into a believable romantic interest, but only if he finally abandons the rubber-faced shenanigans for good.
12/16/08
Mr. Carrey's performance is a return to the rubber-faced roles that dominated multiplexes in the mid- to late '90s, and that's not necessarily a good thing.
08/30/09
The benefits of grounding comedy in reality are never-ending, and Yes Man takes advantage of most of them. Peyton Reed is officially one of my favorite comic directors.
05/31/09
[The] writers...pay lip service to the dark side of 'yes,' but don't do enough to explore what could have made the film more than a bouncy entertainment. [Blu-ray]
05/25/09
...Jim Carrey's most entertaining comedy since 1997's Liar Liar...
05/21/09
I found myself having a few pleasant chuckles but still frustrated at the movie for not bothering with telling a story that hasn't already been told a million times before.
04/24/09
A film that has little plot until the last act, yet Carrey rises above it to bring it to an acceptable level.
04/19/09
...a pleasant surprise: a romantic comedy that is cute, amiable, and winning without being excessively tedious, saccharine, or gross.
04/03/09
Latest News for Yes Man
May 25, 2009:
Is Yes Man a riot? Yes, and no. Zooey doesn't have much to do except the laugh track thing to Carrey's antics. And on a positive note, Carrey gets to make out with three women and also moon the audience biker style, if that's your thing. 
More...
April 06, 2009:
RT on DVD: Bedtime Stories, Yes Man, Doubt Hit Shelves
This week's new releases include a few Hollywood takes on science fiction (Fox's remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still; the 1984 sequel 2010: The Year We Make Contact on... More...
December 22, 2008:
Box Office Wrapup: Audiences say Yes to Jim Carrey
THIS WEEKEND Moviegoers gave a clear yes to Jim Carrey and a definite maybe to Will Smith as the A-list Hollywood stars took the top two spots at the North American box office... More...
December 18, 2008:
Critics Consensus: No To Yes Man; Seven Pounds Is Too Heavy
This week at the movies, we've got self-improvement (Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel), mysterious altruism (Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith and Rosario... More...
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