Hello SuperForesters everywhere! Welcome to my new Friday series: Friday Films! Every Friday I will be discussing a film that I believe is something SuperForesters should check out — these films will represent positivity, creativity, eco-friendly subjects, and general awesomeness! I am also open to suggestions so please let me know what films you think I should screen, and I’ll put them on my list! What makes me qualified to review films? Well, I studied film theory in university and I’ve been an avid movie buff for as long as I can remember! But seriously, you don’t need to be qualified to tell the world about a film that has made you think, woken you up, or just plain entertained you! So, without further ado, I bring you the first (appropriately titled) SuperForest Friday Film: Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel!
When I first heard about this movie, I thought it would be pure fluff — a total “rental”. However, a good friend of mine who never watches fluff movies recommended it to me, so I thought: “Why not?” Not everyone is a fan of Jim Carrey and I respect that, however being a Canadian, I think it’s in my blood to like him. Obviously I think he’s hilarious, but interestingly enough, I actually prefer him in more dramatic roles — he has this amazing vulnerability that comes through on screen that is so relatable. If you only see one dramatic movie of his, please rent Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. (Note to self: another film I should review!)
The movie Yes Man is all about a guy named Carl who is avoiding life. He’s saying no to life, focusing on the negative and going through life day by day, hour by hour just existing. Still living in the depressing past of a failed marriage and the mind-numbingly boring present of his bank loan officer job, Carl is stuck inside his little box and doesn’t want to come out. The film is based on a book of the same name by British humourist Danny Wallace, and it actually got panned by the critics, but I think people should form their own opinions! That’s what any art form is about, right? You appreciate it and decide for yourself what it means to you.
I don’t know about you, SuperForesters, but there were moments in this film where I could definitely relate. That Friday night after work, your phone rings, it’s a friend wanting you to go out, and you just let it go to voicemail because you’re too tired, you’re not in the mood, or you’re just being lazy. You’d rather just stay home by yourself and watch a movie alone. Why do we do this sometimes? We are so afraid to step outside of our little comfort zone and live our lives!
In a world dominated by Judd Apatow flicks and phenomena like The Hangover, Yes Man doesn’t exactly live up to today’s comedic standards, but the reason I liked it has nothing to do with comedy! Underneath the slapstick stylings of Jim Carrey lies an important message that we should all follow: Say Yes to Life!
I’m not recommending that people follow this movie as a “self help how-to” or anything, but it does have a simple message that woke me up the first time I saw it! Saying yes to things opens your life up to possibilities! Saying no to things and avoiding people actually creates more stress and anxiety. I think we can all think back to situations in our lives where we mustered the energy to do something we were feeling lazy about, and once we got there, or experienced it, or met that person, we were better for it! Am I right?
I’m not suggesting we say yes to every request that comes our way, but perhaps we should all try to make a concerted effort to fight the urge to say no, and open ourselves up to more opportunities. So check out Yes Man, Superforesters, and let me know what you think! Don’t miss it, or you’ll miss the hilarious comedic stylings of Rhys Darby of Flight of the Conchords fame who provides some definite laugh out loud moments.
Ask yourself this: what am I currently saying “No” to, that I could be saying “Yes” to? How could that “Yes” change my life?
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