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I had heard about the Yes Man before I had even seen the film. Some buffoon went on the BBC Breakfast show and expected everyone to pat him on the back for being so quirky. He basically spent a year saying “yes” to every question or opportunity. Obviously he wasn’t just in it for spiritual fulfillment, there’s a book, a film and even a Mitchell and Webb spoof (see the video from 2:50 – 5:38).

The guy’s name is Danny Wallace and his bibliography reads like a list of undergraduate Facebook groups; “Random Acts of Kindness”, “Join Me” (starting a cult for fun) and “Yes Man” which he described thus:

“I, Danny Wallace, being of sound mind and body, do hereby write this manifesto for my life. I swear I will be more open to opportunity. I swear I will live my life taking every available chance. I swear I will say yes to every favour, request, suggestion and invitation.”

Having said all of this, the film is really good. Note the guest appearance of Danny Wallace (the real Yes Man) in the bar at the engagement party. Jim Carrey does a much better job of being zany. The film is also set in America rather than Britain. It is really funny and cleverly sidesteps the expectations of Carrey’s wackiness.

Jim does a good job of acting normal in the first part of the film and then the plot descends into crazy seminars, Harry Potter parties, sellotaping his face up, fighting in alleyways and much more. The funniest bit by far is when he first attends the “Yes!” convention which convinces him of the error of his miserable ways. It does get a bit American Pie when he has to say yes to his elderly neighbour whose offer he really does want to refuse.

Well worth watching to lighten up your day -after all, you have to say “yes”!