With Carrey in the lead this screenplay should write itself

Rating: 6/10 (20 December 2008)

Java Man Reviews "Yes Man" (PG-13) Originally appeared in LakewoodBuzz.com December, 2008.
OVERVIEW:
Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) is a divorced 40-something who lives in LA and works as a loan officer for a neighborhood bank. Depressed at being dumped, he says "no" to everything: "no" to unlucky loan applicants; "no" to his best pal (Bradley Cooper) who wants to hit the bars; and "no" to his sex-starved neighbor (Fionnula Flanagan) who wants him to get intimate. While sitting home alone watching a video one night, he nods off and dreams of his demise. When he awakens, he realizes that he has a problem and reluctantly agrees to attend a "Power of Yes" seminar conducted by self-help guru Terrence Bundley (Terence Stamp). After initial resistance, Carl is finally won over and accepts the Covenant of Yes. This means that when he says "no" (say, to his naughty neighbor), bad things happen--like being trapped in an elevator. When he says "yes" (giving all his money to a homeless guy), good things happen--like meeting gorgeous, free-spirited Allison (Zooey Deschanel). The comic possibilities are endless.
REVIEW: 2.5 out of 4 Java Mugs
With Carrey in the lead role, a story like this should write itself. Or at least one would think so. The movie is funny enough, but somehow it seems like it should have been funnier. Perhaps the premise has too many comic possibilities for its own good. It ends up being a mishmash of random episodes, some of which are inspired while others should have been consigned to the cutting room floor.
It can't be blamed on the cast. Appealing newcomers Cooper and Deschanel light up the screen, while veterans Stamp and Flanagan make the most of their unimaginatively written roles. The talented Carrey is more than adequate, but he is unable to convincingly sell the outlandish premise as well as he did in a similar, better movie, Liar Liar.
The film has great production values and is quite watchable. The action scenes and stunt work are top notch, while the location work is inspired. Underutilized LA backdrops such as the Hollywood Bowl and Griffith Park Observatory are used so well that this film's portrayal of the city rivals Woody Allen's love affair with the Big Apple.
This movie offers a point to go with your popcorn: that saying yes once in a while can open you up to life's infinite possibilities. Frank Capra would have loved it.