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Yes Man
Warner Bros. Pictures


6.2

based on 30 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 46 votes
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MPAA RATING: PG-13 for crude sexual humor, language and brief nudity

Starring Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby, John Michael Higgins, Danny Masterson, and Terence Stamp

Carl Allen's life is going nowhere--the operative word being "no"--until he signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant: say "yes" to everything...and anything. Unleashing the power of "YES" begins to transform Carl's life in amazing and unexpected ways, getting him promoted at work and opening the door to a new romance. But his willingness to embrace every opportunity might just become too much of a good thing. (Warner Bros.)

GENRE(S):	Comedy
WRITTEN BY:	Nicholas Stoller Jarrad Paul Andrew Mogel
DIRECTED BY:	Peyton Reed
RELEASE DATE:	Theatrical: December 19, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	104 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Undemanding, light, and enjoyable.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

Starts out wobbly but ends up quite nicely, primarily because Carrey has a wonderful acting partner in Zooey Deschanel.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

It's even better as a love story that just happens to make you laugh.

The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

Carrey's most satisfying live-action effort since "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

This is basically a nerd-loosening-his-tie romantic comedy done in the manic-compulsive mode of "Liar Liar."

Portland Oregonian Marc Mohan

Of all the roles where the star has played a character transformed from ordinary to goofy ("The Mask," "Me, Myself & Irene," "Liar Liar"), this is the one where he seems the most human, achieving that elusive quality in a Carrey film: tolerability.

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Like many previous Carrey vehicles, the point of this one directed by Peyton Reed is that one should not live at the extremes, but should achieve a balance between low and high, no and yes.

USA Today Claudia Puig

Yes, yes, it's Liar Liar 2.

Variety Brian Lowry

Genial but slim, picture is certainly a light-hearted alternative to weighty year-end awards bait, but the conceit isn't realized fully enough.

Empire Philip Wilding

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.

Film Threat Scott Mendelson

If the slightly generic Yes Man is symbolic of the new, happier Jim Carrey, then it is a small price to pay for his piece of mind.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Travis Nichols

Though it's a star vehicle, Carrey seems only marginally interested in rehashing the role of sweet spaz, and so he almost feels miscast.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

The biggest problem with this movie - not that it's mediocre, dull, or barely written (though it's guilty on all counts). It's that Carrey himself is miscast.

Village Voice Robert Wilonsky

Yes Man is nothing more than warmed-over holiday seconds, a repackaged best-of for those who already own the hits.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

If you're thinking "yuck," you're right. I added the extra star for Zooey Deschanel, who is so delicious as his honey that you want not to say no to Yes Man.

Austin Chronicle Theresa Everline

Yes Man proves utterly formulaic.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Jim Carrey works the premise for all it's worth, but it doesn't allow him to bust loose and fly.

TV Guide Perry Seibert

Yes Man isn't without a few simple charms, but it ends up being about as funny, profound, and memorable as the average bumper sticker.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

The film contains so many plugs for Warner Bros. movies like the "Harry Potter" series and "300" that it could almost double as an infomercial.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

It's nice to see a high-concept comedy with such a generous concept.

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

This picture evaporates midway through because the story itself is a one-liner. Yet it also has a cast that gets into the silliness.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen

Yes Man puts him back in the same old quandary and, once again, Carrey lacks an identity. Alas, this time, he also lacks a script.

Time Richard Corliss

Though the movie is no more than agreeable, it does provide a swell showcase for New Zealand wundercomic Rhys Darby (Murray the hapless agent on HBO's Flight of the Conchords) and gives the astrally adorable Zooey Deschanel a rare shot at a lead role in a big Hollywood movie.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

An appealing Deschanel does her best, but the pair is mismatched in every way, from age to attitude. The entire movie is hung on Carrey's shtick, so if you're a fan, you'll have a decent time.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

Yes Man rarely rises to genuine hilarity. It takes no risks, finds no inspiration and settles, like its hero, into a dull, noncommittal middle ground. Should you see this movie? Maybe. Whatever. I don't care.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Enjoyable enough for what it is, a clever idea developed by fits and starts.

New York Post Kyle Smith

The first time I saw Yes Man, I thought the concept was getting kind of stale toward the end. As it turns out, that was only the trailer.

Washington Post Dan Zak

Even though Carrey is a bit mellower these days, the schtick feels dated. He's doing material from the '90s.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

The comedy, to the extent there is any, consists mainly of Carrey's verbal asides and strained reactions to people. The script gives him very little to work with.

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

With Yes Man, Carrey has bled the well dry, doing everything he knows how to do, over and over again, just to prove that he still knows how to do it. It's exhilarating to see brilliance in a comic; but by the time you start smelling it, the game is over.

The average user rating for this movie is 6.2 (out of 10) based on 46 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Alex J. gave it a1:
DIABOLICAL FILM. Jim Carrey ruined it big time, he always does. Probably loves men and all. Winky face.

Christina S gave it a7:
I want to start by saying I don't "go crazy" fo Jim Carrey but I did like this film. I will admit my two favorite films of his are Liar Liar and Yes Man and though they are surprisingly similar they are still great films. I think Carrey can be genius and why can we not celebrate his genius we he repeats his genius? Harrison Ford plays the same guys in two of America's most popular sagas and we love him for it. If you do something well then do it. On another note I was totally annoyed at the sex scene with the elderly neighbor. That scene was absolutely not necessary. It made everyone uncomfortable. I don't think a "Yes Man" audience is going to think that is funny. I also believe that is a subconscious reason why a vast majority of critics didn't give it the "it wasn't deep but it was funny card". Because when you think back on watching the film there was something annoying in the film and it was that scene. It reminds me of "Over her dead body". There were some great lines in that film but it was really hard to get past Eva Longoria watching and commenting during love scenes. I just walked away saying yeah I don't need to see that again. Anyway....Yes Man made me laugh really hard in some scenes but it was totally ruined by one lame scene.

Aron j gave it a6:
Its definitely not Jim Carrey's funnist work, not enough physical comedy for him. But i hate how people look past rhys darby, he has such a different sense of humor that I've never seen before, it shines in the show flight of the conchords.

Bobby B gave it a10:
Absolutely incredible! Hilarious, great message, and Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel turn in cute, quirky, realistic performances. Highest marks!

Carol S gave it a1:
I walked out of this movie and I haven't done that in a very long time. I found it tiresome, not that funny (Carey's schtick is getting worn out). Only reason to give it a one was his co-star, Zoey. She's fresh and brought a bit of life to this dog.

Dorian S. gave it a10:
The film is so hilarious that my friends and I couldn't stop laughing. I would definitely see it again.

James gave it a5:
It was alright.... From the reviews I've read the biggest problem people have with it is that "it's just another Jim Carrey movie." "Same old same old" And before I saw the movie I found no reason to fault that. I've liked most of his movies I've seen in the past, and I'd watch them again, so how could I go wrong? The problem lies in the fact that although it is another standard Jim Carrey movie... its not a very good one. The humor is rather predictable, and there are plenty of moments in the film where you just go, "That wouldn't happen. That's stupid." And something about it reminded me more of Failure to Launch than Liar Liar. Really not the most impressive comedy on his resume. It's a typical Jim Carrey comedy, without the typical Jim Carey comedy.

Yes Man Warner Bros. Pictures

Yes Man
Warner Bros. Pictures