Munster Express Online

Carl Allen is in a rut. When he’s not turning down loan applications at the bank where he works, he is turning down invitations from his friends, watching television alone on his couch. He’s effectively become a ‘No Man.’ Strangely, this is the kind of guy Carrey himself once was. “I’ve been that guy and I know a lot of people who are in that situation where they just avoid life – living in the United States of Avoidance. To me, this is a movie about choosing to join life, and that’s what drew me to it. Sometimes saying no is saying yes to something else, to something greater that will come your way.” Carl’s life takes an unexpected and radical turn when he grudgingly attends a self-help seminar led by a ‘Yes’ guru who urges his devotees to say yes more and transform their lives. The initially skeptical Carl agrees to try spontaneity by saying yes… to everything. Based on the bestselling memoir by Scotsman Danny Wallace, the story plugs into that well-spring of misery that’s afflicted everyone who’s been jilted. When Wallace was dumped by his girlfriend, he decided he needed some time to “just sit around and be a boy and play video games, and not really do anything,” he recalls. “My mates were a little bit worried about me. They kept phoning up, leaving messages and texting me with various opportunities and invitations. And I was always saying ‘no.’”

A chance conversation on a London bus turned things around for Wallace and inspired his book when someone happened to mention to him that he should say yes more often. It was a casual remark Wallace thought was the best advice in the world distilled into three words. And that launched his ‘yes-capades!’ Immediately after, he bought a car off a bloke at a party, went to see a band called General Onion and His Shocking Castanets, and flew to Singapore for the weekend. “The way I see it, you’re as likely to meet the love of your life at a bad party as at a good one, but if you’ve said no, you’ll never know.”

The film is a badly needed return to form for Carrey, who takes to heart the words of Yes guru Terrence Bundley (Terence Stamp) – in terrific form. Carl cottons-on that his life is about to change upon meeting the free-spirited Allison (Zooey Deschanel), one quirky but totally free-spirited lady who leads photography-jogging workshops when not singing with her alt band. Bringing a quirky chemistry to the film, Carrey is well served with fantastic LA locations including the Griffith Park Observatory and the Hollywood Bowl. The soundtrack by The Eels pushes the action along – and at one point Carrey does a sing-along version of a Third Blind Eye song. Unlike his Ace Ventura persona which invariably overtakes the story, the funny man is here content to underplay the part – as well as letting the very talented Deschanel contribute her share to the action. This is innocuous feelgood fare perfect for passing a relaxed afternoon over the holidays.