--- title: "Yes Man: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/yes-man/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/yes-man" critics_score: 53 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Yes Man (2008): what the critics said Critics' score 53 from 15 reviews: 3 positive, 8 mixed, 4 negative. The reviews lean mixed, and most start from the same place: the premise is a good one and the film does not know what to do with it once the setup is over. Where there is praise, it clusters around the supporting cast. Rhys Darby, as Carrey’s boss, is singled out repeatedly as the best thing on screen, and several critics enjoy the chemistry between Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. Peyton Reed’s direction is credited with keeping Carrey on a shorter leash than usual. The reservations are about the star and the script. Most critics find the story settles into a formulaic romantic comedy, and they split on Carrey: some think he is too restrained and looks tired in the role, others think the physical comedy is a step backwards. The spread is wide. The Hollywood Reporter calls it his most satisfying live-action work since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Slant sees desperation in the return to Liar Liar territory. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 December 2008. The critic calls it Jim Carrey's most satisfying live-action effort since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Reed's use of fresh Los Angeles locations and the Eels-heavy soundtrack are highlighted as adding unique flavor. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/yes-man-jim-carrey-review-125151/) ## Empire — Philip Wilding Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 3 December 2008. The critic finds the premise initially intriguing but notes that the film loses steam after the setup, becoming formulaic with familiar Hollywood tropes, though it remains charming with some comedy moments. They praise Rhys Darby's performance as almost stealing the film. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/yes-man-review/) ## Time Out — Nigel Floyd Rating 3/5. 16 December 2008. The film tries to blend Carrey's serious and comic sides but splits them down the middle, resulting in slick direction undermined by sitcom-like episodes and a shift to cloying sentimentality. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/yes-man) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating C. 19 December 2008. The critic finds the film a thin, phony exercise in Carrey mugging and product placement that is never more than mildly amusing. A strained romance and wasted supporting turns fail to overcome the gimmicky premise. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/yes-man-1798205412) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 14 December 2008. The film is genial but slim, offering Carrey opportunities to riff without enough explosive hilarity or sustained manic energy to fully realize the conceit. It lands in the realm of a definite “maybe,” with uneven episodic mode and only occasional juicy bits. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/yes-man-1200472750/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2008. The critic finds the film sort of ho-hum stuff overall. He singles out the cameo from Rhys Darby for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/dec/22/yes-man-review) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2008. The film is a sluggish vehicle for Jim Carrey that removes the tension and frustration central to his best comedy by making the premise too straightforward. Carrey works hard to keep it alive with physical humor but is ultimately constrained by the yes-and-consequences structure. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/yes-man-2008) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 15 December 2008. A likeable premise about opening up to life's chaos is lost amid romantic-comedy complications in this intriguing misfire. Carrey shows he can be a believable romantic lead but is no longer the inspired manic goofball of his early career. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/yes-man/4042326.article) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2008. The movie is too sluggish and slapdash a vehicle for Carrey’s wackiness, arriving at an obvious conclusion about moderation that feels insufficiently infantile. It fails to demand enough reckless silliness from its star, who looks too grown up and tired for the role. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/movies/19yes.html) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2008. The critic sees desperation in Carrey's return to Liar Liar territory, calling the humor passable but conventional and suited mainly for undemanding viewing. Reed's direction is faulted for lacking energy except in isolated moments like a sing-along scene. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/yes-man/) ## Eye for Film — Robyn Jankel Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2008. The critic finds the film a pleasantly funny and enjoyable comedy with genuine laughs, crediting director Peyton Reed for handling the daft premise well and highlighting strong supporting turns, especially from Rhys Darby and the restrained Jim Carrey performance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/yes-man-film-review-by-robyn-jankel) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 18 December 2008. The film is a cute comedy with a positive message about embracing life, but it represents a step backward for Jim Carrey's career with regressive physical comedy. Director Peyton Reed finds some charm in the corny situations and restrains the star effectively. [Read the review](https://collider.com/review-yes-man/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 3/5. 15 December 2008. The film is a solid but uneven comedy that works better in its quieter, quirkier moments than its broader set pieces. The critic singles out the chemistry and dialogue between Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel, along with Rhys Darby's scene-stealing turn as the boss. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/yes-man-movie-review-2/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 2008. The film is a decent but unremarkable time-killer whose inspirational message and one-trick premise lack conviction and feel ramshackle. The critic singles out Rhys Darby's hilarious performance as Carl's boss as the best element, providing strong contrast to Carrey. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a138637/yes-man/) ## Paste — Paste Staff Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2008. Yes Man is a by-the-book romantic comedy with a gimmick that is smarter and less calculated than similar studio films but still ends up formulaic and ridiculous. Zooey Deschanel and supporting players like Rhys Darby provide the main saving graces in an otherwise watchable but unremarkable effort. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jim-carrey/yes-man) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/yes-man.md