Yes Day review: Jennifer Garner becomes a fun mom in Netflix comedy

Jennifer Garner stars as a finicky mom in a new lighthearted Netflix comedy called Yes Day. It was a treat watching America’s favorite real-life “super mom” on the screen with her family. (Have you seen her cooking and baking on social media? I have, and her inspirational Instagram chats soothe my soul.)

Yes Day kicks off with a montage of Allison Torres (Garner) in her single life. We see how she was a free-spirited sky jumper who is always ready to say “yes” to any adventure. Allison doesn’t have a care in the world when she meets and falls in love with her handsome husband, Carlos.

It was a delight to see dramatic Venezuelan actor Édgar Ramírez flex his comedic chops and loosen up in this role. Ramírez was nominated for an Emmy for portraying Gianni Versace in Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story series. Jennifer Garner and Édgar Ramírez have great chemistry, which made it believable to see how this beautiful couple quickly expanded the Torres family.

Allison narrates to let us know that things changed once she became a mother to Katie Torres, Nando Torres, and adorable Ellie Torres. She informs us that her priorities evolved while being a homemaker from saying “yes” to everything to saying “no” because she just wanted to protect her innocent kids from danger.

You starlet Jenna Ortega portrays their eldest teenage daughter who leads her siblings in a protest while teasing their mom about always being a “Debbie downer.” Allison and Carlos are responsible parents. She can’t help appearing uncool whenever she utters phrases like “nope on a rope”.  He is a lawyer who works at a company that manufactures fun. But he manages to act like a dad with his colleagues while removing the joy and spontaneity from his workplace.

From strict rules to a ‘yes day’

Things change after Allison and Carlos attend a PTA conference at school. Katie and Nando’s teachers voice concern about Allison’s strict rules. Two teachers explain that Katie wrote a haiku about how her mother has trapped her like a prison warden, while Nando (Julian Lerner) submitted a sleek video he edited with grim highlights of his mom yelling at him and equating her to a Stalinist dictator. I think this was taking things a bit too far, especially in our current political climate. The kids are tough on Allison. I always smell hot chocolate, smores, and warm oatmeal cookies every time I witness the magical goodness of Jennifer Garner.

Allison is upset by the way her kids have portrayed her to the world because they can upload their Steven Spielberg inspired art to YouTube and make her seem like a viral “Karen” mom. Carlos tries to console her, but she lets him know that she always gets caught looking like the bad cop. That morning, their daughter Katie wanted to go to a Fleek fest concert after her father said it was okay. But Allison told their daughter that she would only trust her if she attends as an adult chaperone.

A guidance counselor and fellow teacher (Nat Faxon) suggests that they give their kids a “yes day” during the school visit. He confesses that he’s been happier after he granted the same gift to his own children. So, the parents agree to do the same thing with some restrictions. The following morning, they introduce the idea of granting their family a “Yes Day” for 24 hours, where they will only say “yes” to every demand that their children say to them. Yes Day is based on the best-selling book Yes Day! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

According to the Harper Collins website, “Jennifer Garner uses Yes Day! as inspiration for an annual magical day of all things YES with her children. She was a little worn out after 24 hours of pure YES in 2017, but she still praised Yes Day! as “a fantastic children’s book.”

Jennifer loved the challenge so much after a viral post about her experience that she produced this movie with a screenplay by Justin Malen. Director Miguel Arteta does a good job with the comedic elements and handling the family dynamic as the story unfolds. Arteta has a dramatic background in film and television with  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Youth In Revolt, Succession and The Good Girl on his resume.

The five-quest Yes Day challenge is confirmed with the family like it is conceived in the book: “No matter how silly the request, there is one day a year when kids always receive a positive response: Can I have pizza for breakfast? YES! Can we have a food fight? YES! Can I stay up really late? YES!”

Katie, Nando, and Ellie (Everly Carganilla)  plan out the whole day of challenges that are illustrated on a colorful list board. The day starts with the youngest daughter Ellie giving Jennifer Garner a cute fashion and makeup makeover that was giving me 13 Going on 30  flashback vibes.

The day culminates with Nando’s haywire science experiment and a comical musical performance by Grammy-winning singer H.E.R. at the Fleek concert. I won’t spill any more details, but I will admit to being a diehard fan of the R&B singer. I once stood in an insanely long line on Broadway near Times Square in the winter to see her perform at a live showcase. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed and locked out of the free show when her popularity exploded after her Grammy win. So, I can relate to why Katie and Allison have both professed their fandom for the songstress and want so desperately to see her.

It warmed my heart to witness Allison’s mommy skills saving the day in each challenge. My favorite part of their adventure was the epic Kablowey paintball tournament.

The thing that I loved about this movie was the diverse cast representing a universal story about happiness, childhood, coming of age and maternal love. It was more endearing to glimpse Allison speaking to her husband in Spanish while their children retained part of their heritage. Allison and Carlos are a loving  unit. It was refreshing to have three-dimensional Latinx characters on screen in a wholesome American story. Plus, it is a treat to see Garner’s smile and hear her laugh while having a blast.

Yes Day is fun escapist multi-generational entertainment that the kids and the whole family will enjoy. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.