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Yes Man Review

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile

[Carrey]'s dialed back the onscreen insanity... Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    46

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    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.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

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

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    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.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    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.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Yes, yes, it's Liar Liar 2.

    Read Full Review

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

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

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

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

    Read Full Review

  • See all Yes Man reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 13+

Carrey comedy breaks no new ground but draws ample laughs.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this comedy will likely appeal to young Jim Carrey fans excited to see him back on familiar (i.e. non-dramatic) turf. Although it's not as crude as the "gross out" comedies that have been so popular recently, there is some iffy stuff -- including a scene in which an elderly woman offers to perform oral sex on the main character (his facial expressions are shown) and another in which his bare butt is visible. There's also plenty of swearing -- everything from "ass" to "f--k" -- and a lot of product placement.

  • Families can talk about why kids want to see this movie -- is it because of the story or because Jim Carrey is in it?
  • What makes something a "Jim Carrey" comedy? Would you like his moviesas much if a different actor starred in them? Do you like his dramaticmovies? Why or why not?
  • Discuss the movie's message. Why is Carl the way heis in the beginning? What does he learn? Is the lesson applicable inreal life, or just fodder for a Hollywood blockbuster?

The good stuff
  • message true1

    Messages: A man learns only to say "yes" when he means it.

  • rolemodels true1

    Role models: A man tries to inject joy and excitement into his life by saying "yes"to any opportunity that comes his way, even if he doesn't want to. Indoing so, he misleads others into thinking that he's saying "yes"because he wants to, though he doesn't mean any harm.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: A man gets beaten up after he unknowingly makes a pass at someone else's girlfriend while drunk. He makes matters worse by hurling more insults during the fight. Another character throws a rock at a window and shatters it, causing guards to come running after him.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Kissing (some chaste, some fairly passionate); a man shows off his backside while wearing a hospital gown. An elderly woman propositions a much younger man and pleasures him orally; she takes off her dentures, and then the man's face is shown on camera morphing from overwhelmed to shocked to ecstatic.

  • language false3

    Language: A fair amount for a PG-13-rated film. Words include "bastard," "s--t," "f--k," and more.

  • consumerism false4

    Consumerism: Hello, product placement! The treatment is sort of subtle, but many brands are name checked, including Starbucks, Super Shuttle, Big 5, Sports Chalet, Brea Federal, Nokia, Rolling Rock, and more.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A fair amount of imbibing -- mostly social drinking, though sometimes the goal is to get drunk.

Fan Reviews provided by

4

Please for the love of God Stop writing reviews before you see the Movie. Nobody cares!!!!! by kingoscar
There has to be something that this site can do in order to stop people from doing this. If we all join in together we can put an end to this horrific tragedy. I'm a huge movie fan and enjoy reading other people perspective on the film AFTER THEY HAVE SEEN IT. Anything else is just absolute jiberish. You should all be assamed of yourselves. Now go to the movie. By the way this movie was much better than Jim Carrey's last few. He gets back to his roots on this by doing his physical comedy and at the same time showing that he can be a drama actor as well. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Jim Carrey will one day win an Oscar. Not for this movie but he's back on track.

5

awesome by Natasha_v
it was awesome, probably the first movie where Jim Carrey doesn't act like a complete moron. Besides, being a good comedy, the movie was actually quite thoughtful. That is some new combination.

4

Five Word Review by redyeah
We should get a Redbull!

5

Yes Man by tiger10
Very funny movie.I took my 11 year old son.There is one part not suitable for a 11 year old. The movie is PG-13. The act of a sexual gesture between an old grandma and Jim Carey. They could have left that part out, not expecting that.I made my child turn his head. Of course it did not show the male organ,but the sound and action between the two it was very obivous what was taking place.

4

Not what I had expected, to be honest. by Tyrphanax
I showed up to the theatre fully expecting this movie to suck. And if not, then to at least be pretty lame with a cheap laugh at maybe a fart joke every once in awhile. Clearly, I was mistaken. The movie surprised me in that it had me laughing fairly hard most of the way through. Jim Carrey should have kept doing comedy like this forever. Also, Zooey Deschanel = cute! Go see it if you have a spare day.

3

Smiles for Jim Carrey by katherinekiyoko
Jim Carrey's movies always seem to be the same. He always seems to play the same character that has a boring life that magically turns perfect. But 'Yes Man' was a littte different. Carrey's newest film shows a new side of the actor--he is a genuine person. There were many parts of this movie I enjoyed, but some scenes were unnecessary, such as Tilly's role. Overall I would recommend renting this on Netflix, simply because with all of the other movies in theaters right now Jim Carrey's sillyness can wait to be viewed at home.

5

Say "Yes" to Yes Man by crmdude84
I have to say, after seeing several previews for Yes Man I was pretty positive that I wouldn't be seeing this movie anyrime soon. I thought it was Liar Liar all over, except instead of not being able to lie, Jim Carrey wouldn't be able to say "no." I'm a BIG fan of Carrey, though, plus I had remembered seeing Zooey Deschanel in Elf and loving her, so I was excited to see the movie recieve positive reviews.When my friends and I arrived at the movie theater on a whim last night we just happened to be right on time for Yes Man and we gave it a chance. After non-stop laughs, great characters, AWESOME music, and an enticing romanctic plot, my friends and I left the theater smiling! We were all surprised that we ended uo liking the movie so much and couldn't stop talking about it for the rest of the night. If you're looking for a fun trip to the movies with friends or a date, or even with your family, as long as there aren't any young kids, Yes Man will be sure to please!

4

YES by water bug
This was a very funny movie. i really enjoyed it!!! Jim Carry is a very good and funny actor. This movie will have you loving it at the end.

5

Perfect movie for Jim Carey! by paleRider
This movie was fantastic! This is hilarious and I never stopped laughing. I saw it with my girlfriend, and we were both rolling around in our seats. This is Jim Carey at his best. He is allowed to make scenes funny all by himself, which is what he does best. Jim's wacky personality, and lovable aura make this a movie you'll want to see in theatres, then buy to watch whenever you're home on a rainy day.

4

YesMan by DianeCol
My husband and I thought it was a very funny movie from start to finish. I recommend seeing this movie to all my friends and family. It has a good moral to the story to take home with you, which is always a good thing !!!

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