Yes Day (2021)

 

Streaming Services: Netflix
Movie Name/Year: Yes Day (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Family
Length:  86 minutes
Rating: PG
Production/Distribution: Entertainment 360, Grey Matters Productions, Netflix
Director: Miguel Arteta
Writers: Justin Malen, Justin Malen, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Tom Lichtenheld
Actors: Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner, Everly Carganilla, Tracie Thoms, Fortune Feimster, Nat Faxon, Arturo Castro, Hayden Szeto, Megan Stott, Alana Baer, Yimmy Yim, Graham Phillips, Wolf Fleetwood-Ross, Adam Faison, James Kyson, Leonardo Nam, Naomi Ekperigin, James Calixte, Alek Cole, William Samiri, Ruy Iskandar, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Joanna Strapp, Brent Morin, Cass Buggé, Lynn Andrews, K.C. Clyde, Katie Baker, Ava Allan, Cameron Johnson, Snowden Grey, Romyn Smith, Aliyah Starr Torres, Danielle Jalade, Rafael Boza, Tyler Riggin, H.E.R.
 
Blurb from IMDb:  A mom and dad who usually say no decide to say yes to their kids' wildest requests with a few ground rules on a whirlwind day of fun and adventure.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
I have been looking forward to watching Yes Day since I watched the trailer the first time. I am, overall, very happy with its placement in my Top 20 list for March 2021.
 
The pandemic has been stressful for so many. Not only has it kept people isolated, but it has also kept families together under one roof for an extended amount of time. It’s draining for so many – whether it’s lack of contact or overstimulation and getting ‘underfoot,’ so to speak, every time you turn around. This movie felt like a little bit of balm for the soul. I was extra excited because my daughter wanted to watch Yes Day with me.

Sure, the story was generally predictable and you could guess that things were bound to go awry along the way. I don’t think that’s so bad here in this context. I say this because I noticed a few of the critic reviews as I was getting the film’s scores from Rotten Tomatoes. I was baffled why it scored so low – then it hit me. Oh, right, it’s a fun family movie with both mayhem and life lessons – such wholesome fun is sure to be panned. One even called it ‘banal.’ Really? You’re taking it (and yourself) way too seriously my dude.
 
I wish I’d heard of Yes Day sooner. I hadn’t even realized that this was based on a book until I saw Jennifer Garner (Miracles From Heaven, Wonder Park, Llama Llama) promoting the film on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014-). This has been a bit of a pet project for her – and she discussed how she uses ‘Yes Days’ with her own family. It’s a phenomenal concept, really.

 
Aside from that, I resonated with the film on a whole other level. I tend to be ‘the mom that always says no.’ It is a dynamic that sucks; and, while I really hate feeling like ‘the bad guy,’ I know I have to do right by my kid. It was somewhat cathartic to experience this movie and feel like maybe some of the message will rub off on my teenager. Every time I get eye-rolls or an ‘ugh, mom’ I pray that deep down my daughter realizes that our rules are because we love her – not just to spoil her fun.
 
All told, Yes Day was a refreshing and welcome addition to my day and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to my parent friends for their families – and anyone else who enjoys family comedy in general. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 43%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 59%
Metascore – 46%
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 5.7/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
 
P.S.: There are a couple short scenes during the credits.
 
Movie Trailer: