'Yes Man' review

Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel (Credit: Melissa Moseley/Warner Bros.)

Loan officer and grade-A party pooper Carl (Jim Carrey) attends a self-empowerment seminar that commands him to say “Yes” to every opportunity, causing him to start giving rides to homeless people, taking flying lessons and snorting hot sauce. It also makes him a lot happier and scores him perky girlfriend Allison (Zooey Deschanel), who’s equally impulsive and fun-loving. With Bradley Cooper (“Wedding Crashers”) as Carl’s best friend and Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”) as Carl’s goofball boss Norman.

The buzz: Rust alert? Carrey hasn’t starred in a comedy since 2005’s “Fun with Dick and Jane,” and the life-altering premise of “Yes Man” sounds just a wee bit like “Liar, Liar.” But it’s the sort of lightweight idea that fits nicely into a commercial, and “Liar, Liar” does have its moments, so perhaps “Yes” is at least worth seeing.

The verdict: “Yes Man” lunges awfully hard to hit the funny bone—Norman hosts a “Harry Potter” costume party; Carl buys a bride on Persianwifefinder.com; Carl agrees to be sexually serviced by an old woman, sans Dentures, and likes it! Surprisingly, the movie is a more direct hit to the heart, proving to be a much better romance than comedy as the chemistry between Carrey and Deschanel makes Carl and Allison look like they’re really cut out for each other. When it loosens up and just glides on the right sort of positivity, “Yes Man”—forced quirkiness aside—turns radical open-mindedness into a sweet reminder about the inspiring power of spontaneity.

Did you know? Carl demonstrates a new, hip way to indicate that you’re leaving/gone: “I am gonorrhea.” Anyone else think this is sure to catch on?

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