Saying Yes Is The Best

Illawarra Mercury

Monday January 5, 2009

KILMENY ADIE

YES MAN (M)

Stars: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper and Terence Stamp.

Director: Peyton Reed

Screening at Greater Union Wollongong, Shellharbour, Hoyts Warrawong and Gala Cinema.

Yes Man is a movie with a message and offers an incentive to follow through on your New Year's resolutions.

By constantly saying no, Carl Allen (Carrey) has turned himself off to opportunity, chance and risk.

His life focuses upon going to work and choosing that evening's DVD.

Carl's social circle has been reduced to his best friend Peter (Cooper) and ladies man Rooney (Danny Masterson) but their patience is wearing out.

While those around him see Carl's life as a boring non-existence, the man himself appears untroubled by his lot.

The catalyst for change is an unexpected meeting with old friend and smug globetrotter Nick (John Michael Higgins), who brags about his life achievements.

Nick is an enthusiastic "yes" man and the tales of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro wakes something within Carl.

Nick's comments lead him to a "Yes" seminar where professional motivator and the face of "Yes" - Terence Bundley (Stamp) - recognises Carl as unreceptive to his concepts.

Bundley, in front of a large audience, establishes a covenant between the two that demands Carl embrace everything that comes his way.

The plot trajectory is predictable as Carl finds himself open to exciting opportunities.

He falls in love, takes risks and embraces life in a new way. But some of these ventures, such as an offer to repay a debt from his elderly neighbour using physical rather than financial means, end in pain or misfortune when Carl says no.

Naturally, there comes a turning point when the increasingly superstitious Carl questions his mission and this involves federal law agents and their unwillingness to believe his new-found hobbies.

Yes Man is not one of Carrey's best films but those who love his brand of humour will find something here to amuse them.

Carrey is ably matched in the film by his love interest Allison (Deschanel) whose celebration of life provides a cheerful contrast to Carl.

The film's stand-out performances come from Stamp, whose turn as the life motivator combines energy and an amazing focus, and New Zealander Rhys Darby who makes his feature film debut as Carl's hapless boss Norman.

The message in Yes Man, while a laboured, is about embracing life and taking risks.

This time of year, this will ring true to those wanting to make changes in their life.

KILMENY ADIE

© 2009 Illawarra Mercury

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