You may have heard about the book 'Yes Man' by a guy called Danny Wallace. It's definitely one of the best books I've ever read and if you end up reading it on the train or the bus, beware of the funny looks that you'll get when the inevitable laughter escapes. It's a very English book, so when I heard that they were making it into a film and that Jim Carrey would be the main character; I did wonder how it was going to work. The answer is that the film is nothing like the book. It is simply based on the idea behind the book – saying 'yes' to everything and seeing what happens!
The premise of the film is simple. Carl (Carrey's character) is living a miserable life after breaking up with his wife. He is always making excuses not to go out and not to see his friends. Then, after a surprise encounter, he makes a promise to only say 'Yes' to any question or opportunity that comes his way. Obviously, it being a Jim Carrey film, hilarity ensues including a mail-order bride, a bungee-jump, being suspected of terrorism and a girl called Allison.
Although there is a lot of laughter, there are also a few poignant moments that lead to a realisation that there is also a serious message behind the silliness. By saying 'yes', such a simple word, new opportunities are seized, which leads to new experiences and a renewed sense of what it means to be truly alive. What would our own lives be like if we used this tiny word more often? Whether it is saying 'yes' to God, to friends or to doing something out of the ordinary, we never know where it might lead and we could be changed forever.
Jim Carrey is on top form in this film, on a par with 'Liar Liar' (another hilarious but poignant Carrey film) and it's well worth a watch for the feel good factor, despite the slightly predictable plot.
Through creating a world where back people automatically have more rights than white, Malorie Blackman has cleverly twisted the history of racism in the Western world. Furthermore by using the abstract terms 'noughts and Crosses' she puts enough distance between the issues in the book and our reality, enabling us to look with clearer consideration at how discrimination can destroy those it touches.
The multiple narrators give us a fascinating and sometimes heart-wrenching insight to the characters lives and with Malorie's empathetic writing we are placed in a position (so rarely achievable in issues of inequality) of unbiased understanding.
This book is gripping
and moving and compelling and more adjectives than I
could coherently put in this page, so I just urge you
to read it! And if you love it as much as I did, there
are 3 more in the sequel to keep you
engrossed…
From the creators of The Pursuit of Happyness together with Will Smith again meant this was a film I definitely had to see. Now, if you've seen the trailer you may have noticed the fundamental mistake at the beginning. 'God created the world in seven days.' If you ignore this line and keep an open mind for the rest of the trailer, it looks so intriguing. The trailer is done in a certain way not to give much of it away at all, very deliberately.
I must say I spent the majority of the film unsure as to why any of these events were happening. Lots and lots of confusion. Beginning with many quick disjointed scenes of Ben's (Smith) life which brings on the major question: who is Ben Thomas? And what is his plan? This level of confusion remains as you see Ben visiting hospital wards and other places in the search of finding seven worthy people to do good deeds towards.
This film sees Will Smith step out of his comfort zone as he acts his role brilliantly showing why he is one of the highest paid American actors. Though the way in which the film is made and the lack of understanding of the character Ben Thomas does mean it is difficult to engage so therefore empathise with him which is needed more and more as the film continues. We also see Rosario Dawson on top form in the role of Emily Posa and as the relationship develops between the two we see some of its finest scenes.
I would advise Seven Pounds as a must see. When all the broken story lines finally come together and you begin to understand what is actually happening you realise the true beauty of the film with an emotional payout.