lhommeinsipide Sally Potter's Yes uses various cinematic devices in order to tell its story, but for the most part, they do not lead the film. The most obvious device to identify is the use of the iambic pentameter in the form of rhyming couplets, which Potter herself describes as a means of evoking the simultaneity of thought and feeling. For me, that every character speaks and thinks in rhymes conjures up an idea of everyone straining to fulfil the most basic expectations of a 'perfect' human being. This is best exemplified with the scene in which HE asks SHE: "From Elvis to Eminem, Warhol's art/I know your stories, know your songs by heart/But do you know mine?" This demonstrates his frustration at the differences between the two, and his displeasure at his culture being seen as subordinate to hers.Perhaps the strongest theme for me was the cleaners as all-seeing, all-knowing witnesses, in particular the cleaner who breaks the fourth wall to become our narrator (played by Shirley Henderson). As she weaves comparisons with microscopic bacteria and the larger worlds in which they reside, her hands toy with various manifestations of dirt. In this way, she is showing us how well she can know a person through the evidence they leave behind. In echo of this idea, every character in the film who cleans by occupation also looks directly at the audience, perhaps to extend the idea of constant surveillance beyond the universe of the film.

haltaylorlawyer A lovely and challenging film, wonderfully acted. Complex people leading complex lives and wondering what it all means. Past experiences intrude and haunt present relationships. Lovers caress the present, yet are conflicted by their historic obligations to others and to the values they carry into the relationship. But this is a movie in which you understand the electric attraction of these two characters, who should never have even spoken, let alone found each others. And--I think this is simply an amazing bit of craftsmanship in this day of overblown special effects--words of love and conflict are spoken in iambic pentameter so seamlessly that the viewer barely is aware of it. Not many films are so successfully erotic and political at the same time. It is a gem.

Jerome Brahams Please be prepared, because you may like this film. To be one of those, you must dislike President Bush and join other Europeans and Middle Easterners in hating the US, its influence, and its foreign policy. Joan Allen, a liberal wacko in real life, is a woman who comes to understand that her country is a bad and egotistical one.One a good note, some music in the soundtrack is excellent! From several Chopin pieces, to a Brahms waltz, to a snippet of Rachmaninov, the music in this film is mostly very satisfying. The acting in and of itself is also very good. The cinematography and scenes are picturesque as well.The entire film is written in silly poetry, yes, with rhymes! The filmmakers took Ms. Allen to rap/poetry readings (definitely "art") so she would understand this film's dialogue by Sally Potter. It is boring and slow moving, and it's supremely annoying with its forced rhyming (oh sorry, RAP) and unveiled loathing of the US. This is pure rubbish; and it's easy to see why Hollywood continues to moan about decreasing box office revenues each year. If this is the sort of product they produce, the trend will most certainly continue.

generic230-1 I boo-ed at this movie, and it was in my own living room. I boo on Sally Potter. She's very full of talent. At least, that's what her movies seem to keep trying to pound into me. It would be nice if this really was as wise as it pretends to be. The Lebanese cook is really obnoxious in his, "I say wiseness always" dialogue. Fer cryin' out loud, it's really BORING and SELF AWARE. This kind of talk reminds me of someone I know and I don't like them. I hated The Upside of Anger, and even IT was better than this overly talky, boring, pedantic film. The lighting wasn't great, the film wasn't really all that visually interesting, and the dialogue is embarrassing. That Sally Potter doesn't have enough sense to know this is annoying.