Inspired by late author Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s book and Jennifer Garner's personal experience with Yes Days, the new Netflix movie offers some funky ideas and respite in this Covid-19 lockdown era
There’s certainly no time better than now to spread a little joy and Jennifer Garner’s endearing family flick, Yes Day, does just that.
Always feeling like they have to say "no" to their kids, hard-line mother Allison (played by Jennifer Garner) and 'good cop' father Carlos Torres (played by Edgar Ramírez) decide to give their three children a Yes Day during which the kids (played by Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner, and Everly Carganilla) have 24 hours to make the rules.
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As you can imagine, it starts off fun and breezy at first but as the day progresses, Allison and Carlos realise that saying yes is really easier said than done. Little did they know, they’d end up going on a whirlwind adventure around Los Angeles together–epic car wash scene and all.
"Nope on a rope" is easily my favourite quote from Yes Day. Like Garner's character, there was a time when it was so easy to say yes to things in life. Solo travel? Yes. Attend a concert? Yes. Hug a friend? Yes. Skydiving? Well, if you're not acrophobic.
Parenthood or adulting in general, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions, will have you saying "no" more than ever. "Can I go outside to play, Mom?" No. "Can I jump into a ball pit?" No. "Can I watch another cartoon?" No. "Can we have a beach holiday?" No. "Can I attend a birthday party?" Nope, nope, nope on a rope.
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“You know, you say no to your kids more times than you can even think about. There are so many No's you’re not even aware of. My kids and I have been doing Yes Day for nine years and now they really do try to embarrass me—they do my makeup, they dress me up, they send me out in public, and it’s just fun! I’m happy to do anything if they’ll all be together and be with me, I’m thrilled," Garner, who co-produced Yes Day, told Tatler Malaysia in an interview.