Yes (2004)

53% of critics liked it
(85 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(4,953 ratings)

Filmmaker Sally Potter directed this artful meditation on the dynamics of the romantic and sexual relationship. She (Joan Allen) is an intelligent and gifted genetic scientist of Irish-American heritage who feels smothered in her marriage to a British politician (Sam Neill). While dining at a… More Filmmaker Sally Potter directed this artful meditation on the dynamics of the romantic and sexual relationship. She (Joan Allen) is an intelligent and gifted genetic scientist of Irish-American heritage who feels smothered in her marriage to a British politician (Sam Neill). While dining at a friend's house, She meets He (Simon Abkarian), a handsome Lebanese exile who was a respected surgeon in his homeland but now supports himself in London as a cook. He flirts with her, and She is pleased with his advances; weeks later, she contacts him, and an affair begins. However, despite their mutual attraction, He and She find it difficult to set aside their political and national differences for very long, as love and lust wage a quiet war against the conscience and the intellect. Yes also features supporting performances from Shirley Henderson and Sheila Hancock. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Sally Potter
Written By: Sally Potter
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Jun 24, 2005 Limited
On DVD: Nov 8, 2005
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sun, Hollywood Reporter
Despite many interesting mise-en-scene moments, the film disappointingly feels as sterile as the family's immaculately clean house.
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The actors are so committed to Potter's vision, they persuade you to go along with them.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
Your taste in movies may not be/ Quite so highbrow or so twee/ But Potter has a lot to say/ About the troubles of our day.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
It's a bold exercise, an interesting experiment, but a movie it ain't.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
For those who accept Potter's premise -- and why not embark on a challenging, enriching experience? -- this is a unique, bold adventure of the soul.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Refreshing, innovative and unafraid of taking chances.
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Sally Potter has achieved a work that sings to us -- sensually, angrily, and beautifully.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Has its moments of curious pronouncements about the world that have the ring of poetical truths.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
An experimental film that's dissatisfying in its literary pretentions and artistic ambitions to portray characters that are both particular individuals and political symbols
James Plath, Reel.com
It's tough to say when a film goes from being artsy to pretentious, but you certainly edge right up to the line when you name your characters He and She.
Staci Layne Wilson, Fantastica Daily
You'll either be reaching for your barf bag (me) or you'll be captivated (Oprah book club members with lifetime subscriptions to True Romance magazine).
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Pretentious or artistic? ... a visceral film that is both hypnotic and irritating.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Despite the excellence of [Potter's] film craft and the quality of the performances, the movie's gimmicky use of language upstages its humanity.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]Sally Potter's latest film, "Yes", starts out with a scene of domestic unrest - a scientist(Joan Allen, who is simply radiant) is yelling at her husband(Sam Neill) about him bringing a conquest back to their domicile.(They live in an open marriage… More
[font=Century Gothic]Sally Potter's latest film, "Yes", starts out with a scene of domestic unrest - a scientist(Joan Allen, who is simply radiant) is yelling at her husband(Sam Neill) about him bringing a conquest back to their domicile.(They live in an open marriage but apparently there are still rules to be violated.) In the foreground, you have a maid(Shirley Henderson) commenting on the action. At a banquet the scientist is approached by a man(Simon Abkarian). They begin an intense affair. They are both originally from broken lands:[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]She is originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her family moved when she was 10 to the United States.[/font] [font=Century Gothic]He is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. In his native land, he was a surgeon. Now, he is a cook.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Yes" is the very definition of offbeat because most of its dialogue is said in iambic pentameter. This device does not take anything away from the movie, since the dialogue almost sounds natural and heightens the central romance. "Yes" celebrates the cinema of ideas. In this case, where do we belong? And how do we all connect in this fractured world? [/font]
Daisy M

YES was recommended to me, some time ago, but I could not find it to download it, so I ordered it through Amazon.com. Which after watching it, all I want to do is cry. Not my for my money but for my time. I found myself fast forwarding the movie some times. First of all,why was the… More
YES was recommended to me, some time ago, but I could not find it to download it, so I ordered it through Amazon.com. Which after watching it, all I want to do is cry. Not my for my money but for my time. I found myself fast forwarding the movie some times. First of all,why was the characters dialog had to rhyme? Sounds like poetry and it was extremely distracting and so unreal that it made the already uninteresting plot even more unbearable. I can say you should watch the movie for yourself and make your own judgement. Maybe you'll get lucky and actually be able to get into it. I could not. No matter how hard I tried.
Sunil J

Poetic and beautiful to watch but you don't really connect with any of the characters.
Leo L

Fantastic!