Garner’s own Yes Days inspire film
Jennifer Garner didn’t come up with the concept of a Yes Day. But when she and her middle daughter discovered Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s book about a crazy 24 hours where parents have to say yes to their children’s demands almost a decade ago, they were hooked. It became a beloved and exhausting annual tradition.
Then a few years ago, a producer friend saw one of her Yes Day “morning after” photos on Instagram and had a revelation: This should be a movie.
“Yes Day,” now streaming on Netflix, stars Garner and Edgar Ramirez as the parents to three kids. It’s the first film Garner has produced in 10 years.
“I just went into kind of a kid mode for a really long time,” Garner said. “This is the first thing I’ve ever developed from scratch. Because of that, the stories in it are really personal.”
During the virtual premiere, she said, her kids kept laughing at how many things had been inspired by their own Yes Days.
For Yes Day-curious parents, Garner said the asks are never too crazy, mostly ice cream for breakfast and sleeping outside and whatnot. Just be forewarned, the next day you might look a little “haggard,” according to Garner.
“You feel like you were out partying, but really you’re just hungover from being so tired,” she said.
For “Yes Day,” Garner went to Miguel Arteta to direct. Arteta was the one who suggested that her character’s husband be of Latino descent and that their kids be biracial to more reflect a modern family. She loved the idea. He suggested Ramirez, who hadn’t done a comedy before.
Ramirez had never even met Garner before, but they both immediately clicked. He also brought a lot of positive energy to the sometimes chaotic (in a good way) set and was just delighted to be doing something different.
“Yes Day” is full of very physical hijinks — from an epic water balloon fight to an ice cream eating contest — that sometimes required stunt doubles. Garner even brought on stunt coordinator Shauna Duggins, who she has been working with since the first season of “Alias.” But it’s also about the parents.
“It’s difficult to find something that’s really fun and engaging for everyone from, you know, my 15-year-old down to a little kid. And you want it to be fun to watch, but you have to speak to the parents as well,” Garner said. “That is what I’m so proud of about this movie.”
They’ve already heard from moms around the world about just how grateful they are that the film speaks to marital dynamics.
Arteta and Garner are already figuring out how to work together again.
“Jen Garner was the best partner as a producer. This movie comes straight from her heart,” said Arteta, who revealed they’re already developing a sequel. “I’m very excited because this family is really special. They do really love each other . ... I’m glad everybody’s up for getting back together.”
March 21 birthdays:
Actor Kathleen Widdoes is 82. Singer Rose Stone is 76. Actor Timothy Dalton is 75. Singer Russell Thompkins Jr. is 70. Comedian Brad Hall is 63. Actor Gary Oldman is 63. Actor Matthew Broderick is 59. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell is 59. Actor Sonequa Martin-Green is 36. Actor Forrest Wheeler is 17.