Yes Man 2008

In a downward spiral following his divorce from Stephanie (Molly Sims), Los Angeles bank loan officer Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) has become increasingly disillusioned with life. His social circle, comprised of friends Pete (Bradley Cooper) and Rooney (Danny Masterson), grows weary of his apathetic nature as he consistently blows them off. One day, an acquaintance invites him to a motivational seminar, where the mantra is to seize every opportunity by answering “Yes!” Carl hesitates at first but ultimately misses Pete’s engagement party, prompting his friend’s harsh rebuke and warning that he risks being forever alone if he doesn’t transform his life. This somber reality check prompts Carl to attend the seminar, where he meets the charismatic guru Terrence Bundley (Terence Stamp), who publicly goads him into making a pact with himself to abandon his “No Man” persona and enthusiastically respond to every invitation, request, or opportunity that comes his way.

The transformative power of this newfound philosophy is initially put to the test when Carl says yes to a homeless man’s plea for assistance. However, instead of finding gratitude, he finds himself stranded in Elysian Park. Disheartened by this outcome, Carl heads to a nearby gas station where he encounters Allison (Zooey Deschanel), an unconventional young woman who offers him a ride on her scooter and leaves him with a memorable kiss. This serendipitous encounter rejuvenates his spirits, and Carl begins to see the benefits of embracing the “Yes!” philosophy.

However, as he navigates this newfound sense of optimism, Carl also learns the consequences of saying no. A series of unfortunate events unfolds when he declines oral sex from his elderly neighbor Tillie (Fionnula Flanagan), culminating in a tumble down the stairs and a close encounter with a menacing dog. Recognizing the repercussions of his hesitation, Carl returns to Tillie and, despite initial reservations, is surprised by the pleasure and joy that comes from surrendering to her advances. As he reflects on this experience, Carl begins to understand the significance of embracing life’s opportunities and saying yes to every possibility that comes his way.

As Carl embarks on a journey of unbridled optimism, he capitalizes on every opportunity that comes his way, fostering an unlikely camaraderie with Pete and Rooney, while simultaneously building a rapport with his boss, Norman (Rhys Darby), and lending a helping hand to Lucy (Sasha Alexander), Pete’s fiancée. His unwavering willingness to seize the day proves to be a boon, as he reaps the rewards of his venturesome spirit. His microloans to those in need yield a handsome profit, prompting a corporate promotion at work, and he puts his guitar lessons to use by serenading a stranger with Third Eye Blind’s “Jumper”, ultimately convincing them not to succumb to despair.

Carl’s spontaneous nature also leads him to accept concert tickets from a promoter, which inadvertently introduces him to the enigmatic Allison, lead singer of the idiosyncratic band Munchausen by Proxy. Her offbeat charm and his unbridled enthusiasm create an undeniable spark, and the two begin dating.

As their relationship blossoms, Carl and Allison embark on a series of impromptu adventures, culminating in a spontaneous weekend getaway to Lincoln, Nebraska. Their shared experiences forge a deeper connection, and after seeking shelter from the rain, Allison invites Carl to move in with her, which he hesitantly accepts.

However, their blissful existence is short-lived, as they are detained by FBI agents who have profiled Carl as a potential terrorist due to his flying lessons, Korean language studies, approval of a loan to a fertilizer company, encounter with an Iranian individual, and last-minute travel arrangements. Pete, Carl’s attorney, rushes to Nebraska to provide a defense, shedding light on the motivations behind Carl’s unorthodox decisions.

As Allison learns more about Carl’s motivational covenant, she begins to question whether his devotion to her was genuine. Her doubts ultimately lead her to distance herself from him, refusing to respond to his phone calls and leaving Carl heartbroken and bewildered.

Here’s my rephrased version:

As Carl’s fortunes begin to falter, he almost forgets about Lucy’s surprise shower, but his resourcefulness prevails and he orchestrates an impressive celebration. Meanwhile, he successfully sets up Norm with Soo-Mi (Vivian Bang), the enigmatic Korean woman who had been instrumental in planning Lucy’s party after a chance conversation with Carl in their native tongue, while Rooney finds love with Tillie. Following the revelry, Carl receives a heartfelt phone call from Stephanie, whose new beau has abandoned her, and she turns to him for solace. When he rejects her advances, his luck takes an unexpected turn for the worse, prompting him to reevaluate his commitment to the covenant.

Disillusioned, Carl seeks to extricate himself from this binding arrangement by hiding in the backseat of Terrence’s convertible as they make their way to the convention center. As fate would have it, Terrence collides with another vehicle while driving off, sending both men to the hospital. Upon regaining consciousness, Terrence reveals a shocking truth: there was never any covenant to begin with – merely an attempt to broaden Carl’s horizons and open him up to new possibilities, not to constrain his freedom of choice. Liberated from this perceived restraint, Carl reconnects with Allison, confessing that he’s not yet ready to take their relationship to the next level, but that he genuinely loves her. The couple is reunited in a heartwarming display.

As the credits roll, we see Carl and Allison making a philanthropic gesture by donating a truckload of clothes to a local homeless shelter. Cut back to the “Yes!” seminar, where Terrence takes the stage amidst a sea of naked participants – all of whom have reportedly said yes to giving away their clothing for charity.

In a delightful coda, halfway through the credits, Carl and Allison are spotted donning 31-wheel roller suits, hurtling down a hillside in an exhilarating display. These fantastical contraptions were originally conceived by one individual whose loan approval Carl had granted – a real-life invention of French designer Jean-Yves Blondeau.