NOTHING MAGICAL

Similarly in 1997's "Liar Liar," Carrey played an attorney who is magically prevented from lying for 24 hours when his son's birthday wish for him to tell the truth comes true.

But the filmmakers behind "Yes Man" said they wanted the movie to revolve around a life-altering decision rather than magic.

Carrey, 46, said that, like his character, he goes through periods of social seclusion and denying himself fun in life.

"Sometimes saying no is saying yes to your own self worth. Know what I'm saying?," Carrey said, in a bit of wordplay.

The Canadian-born comic was taken under the wing of the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield early in his career, later emerging as a star in the early 1990s on the edgy and multi-racial U.S. television show "In Living Color."

Since then he has become a major box office draw for movie comedies, but he has also taken chances in dramas such as the 2004 "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Still, for the most part his fans have failed to turn out for Carrey's dramatic turns in the huge numbers that flock to his comedies. "Eternal Sunshine" earned wide critical acclaim but only $34 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices.

But in talking about his new film, one can understand some of the reasons why the actor says "yes" to drama.

In shooting "Yes Man," Carrey said he fractured three ribs shooting one of his many pratfalls. It's a tough job, comedy.