Psychological Review of the Film "Always Say Yes!" (Based on the Novel by Danny Wallace, Directed by Peyton Reed)
"One word can change your life" — this is the motivational tagline of the film "Always Say Yes!". I support the opinion of film critics who included this picture in the top of inspiring and life-affirming comedies. It's pleasant to watch such positive stories, especially in the current era of "global depression," where there's already enough dramatic content with elements of "horror."
The protagonist of the film, Carl, is a confirmed misanthrope who, due to past disappointments and grievances, takes particular pleasure in rejecting and devaluing anyone who shows interest in him. However, as is well known, rejecting both "edible" and "inedible" offerings eventually leads to exhaustion, where the body consumes itself, and a sad ending is just around the corner.
A similar situation occurs in the emotional sphere: if you persistently "shoot down" all social contacts within a mile, no one will reach out to you, nor will they pat you on the back—at best, they might do so in heavy gloves. In such a scenario, emotional exhaustion sets in, and while the person is physically alive, emotionally they are "dragged down to earth." This is exactly what the film's hero faces: depressive thoughts, apathy, thoughts of "leaving," and, in the best traditions of thanotherapy, a sense of the absence of life, which helps him realize the need for change.
In search of change, confused Carl unexpectedly agrees to his old friend's suggestion to attend an autotraining session, the main idea of which is to always say "Yes!" to every offer that comes his way. Admittedly, the atmosphere of the autotraining resembles a collective hypnosis session, where a strangely animated crowd in unison repeats the Master's words. But on the other hand, if it helps someone—then it's their right to do so.
Undoubtedly, the film's plot is utopian, but it certainly contains a grain of common sense. Sometimes, we ignore the "elephant in the room." We claim there are no people with whom we could build relationships, while reacting hostilely to any interest shown in us. In our daily grind of "work-home-work," our gaze is fixed on the ground. We believe there's no money, no job, and "nobody needs me this way," even though we've previously rejected and sent 30 relevant job offers to the trash. So perhaps, before rejecting something outright—shouldn't we take a look at what you've attracted into your "field"? Maybe it's exactly what you've been longing for for so long…
