It's hard to imagine a better person to helm Yes Day than Miguel Arteta. A comedy based on a beloved picture book? That's pretty specific, but Arteta has done it before: in 2014, he released Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, starring no less than Yes Day lead Jennifer Garner.
But that's just the beginning. You want family stories that mix drama, comedy, and all of the feels? Just look at his episodes of Freaks and Geeks, Six Feet Under, and Enlightened. How about something funny? Features like Chuck & Buck, Youth in Revolt, and Like a Boss all fit the bill. Arteta's filmography is diverse, but there's a warmth and realness to even his most far-out work — and besides all that, he's a skilled hand when it comes to directing comedy.
Arteta is aided by a heartfelt script by Justin Malen, who captures all of the original book's charm while successfully ramping up the stakes and big set pieces in a way that better fits a feature film. That doesn't come as a surprise, of course. With movies like Father Figures and Office Christmas Party under his belt, Malen is well-equipped to handle a big-budget comedy. Just be careful. Once your kids see the movie, you may find yourself on the hook for a Yes Day all of your own. Good luck.
