11/9/20 - Yes, God, Yes (2020) - 4-/10
It isn’t a bad film, just surprisingly slow and unfunny. From the positive reviews and theoretical quality from the previews, I did have at least mild hopes, but it just kept sluggishly trickling out into the ungodly ether. In the end, it was pretty lackadaisical and vacant. Sure it had a point and what could have been an enjoyable premise, it just lands like a wet ‘splat’ on the floor; unmoved and unappealing.
Natalia Dyer is pretty good with what she is given, having so much of the film based on her closeup facial emotional toil. She is relatable and evocative, it’s just that her character, along with the entire film, is stifled and hindered. None of the emotional stress is capitalized upon or the arcs mined for development, hindering catharsis, attachment and fertilized comedic soil.
There are almost literally NO JOKES in the entirety. Without any of the humor lubricant, the oppressive Catholic guilt and personal tumult ends up grinding and grating on my enjoyment. I didn’t need Superbad, American Pie or Porkys, but it did need some laughs to balance out her sad and lost existence, especially when it is constantly bombarded with the subjugation of her culture.
Overall, pretty disappointing. Thankfully it is short and Dyer is a likeable actress and can try to pull you through to its limp finish.
