popcorninhell
I watched Salmon Fishing in the Yemen at the local art theater with a friend. The theater itself is a local landmark which in addition to having movies also provides a midsize concert venue and even hosts its own film festival. I've been to this particular theater before but I have never seen it as crowded as I did a few nights ago. It seemed the true life story of a determined sheikh and British officials introducing salmon to Yemen was popular among the 55 to dead crowd. Seriously the entire theater except us looked like the cast of Cocoon (1985).The movie itself was fun and heartwarming, the story stayed relatively true to the real events and Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt make for charming leads. I kind of wish that the love story between the two wasn't so phoned-in and obvious but by this point everyone has been so accustomed to perfunctory romance. The mood of the movie also seems to wade from helm to stern. during the first hour or so the inherit ridiculousness of such an undertaking provides many moments of genuine humor but as the next act opens and the characters' personal lives become the focal point, things become a little dull.The side stories provide a little bit of upswing. Their is an assassination plot that provides a little bit of suspense and laughter and when Emily Blunt's boyfriend comes back from Afghanistan after being MIA for months, he provides a pretty interesting complication to the story; or would have, had his character not been treated so shabbily. Still Salmon Fishing in the Yemen ranks up there with one of the better movies I've seen recently.
Kirpianuscus
it has the gift to seem be an Oriental fairy tale. or only a parable. about a strange dream, about a strange man, about a woman and about the new version of Harun al Rashid. and this status does it interesting. because Ewan McGregory does his best , because Kristin Scott Thomas does a real surprise in eccentric role, because Emily Blunt is the perfect nuance for define the picture. the old clichés makes story roll and the tension is almost refreshing. a film about fishing, salmon and Yemen. with few lovely sentimental embroideries. and moral lessons in perfect state. nothing new.or complicated. but seductive for British flavor, good Arab leader, miracle as result of ambition and frustration. and decent acting.
Jackson Booth-Millard
I saw the trailer for this film and I thought it looked like a nice charming film, and had good actors in it, so I was looking forward to seeing it, directed by Lasse Hallström (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, Dear John). Basically Scottish fisheries expert Alfred Jones (Golden Globe nominated Ewan McGregor) receives an email from financial adviser Harriet Chetwode- Talbot (Golden Globe nominated Emily Blunt), seeking advice on a project to bring salmon fishing to the Yemen. Alfred dismisses this as "fundamentally unfeasible" because of environmental needs for salmon, but the project is bankrolled by visionary wealthy Yemeni Sheikh Muhammed (Amr Waked), and supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the British Prime Minister's press secretary Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) thinks the positive salmon fishing story would help improve relations between Britain and the Islamic world. Alfred meets Harriet to discuss the project, she tries to convince him of misconceptions of the Yemen environment, but Alfred is convinced that the project is foolhardy, but Alfred's boss is being pressured by Patricia and forces him to accept a position on the project, Alfred considers resigning rather than ruin his reputation, but his wife convinces him they need the income. Harriet arranges for Alfred to meet the sheikh at his estate in the Scottish Highlands, he acknowledges the project may sound crazy, but he believes fishing is a noble pursuit that promotes harmony and requires immense faith. Alfred devotes himself to the salmon project after his career focused wife Mary (Rachael Stirling) accepts a position in Geneva, despite being shy he enjoys working with Harriet and they begin to make progress. But their enthusiasm is interrupted when Harriet's boyfriend Robert Meyers (Tom Mison), a captain in the British special forces, is reported missing in action, devastated she withdraws, Alfred tries to convince her to return, but not just to get her back to work, but to comfort her, and they embrace. Meanwhile the sheikh continues work, despite criticism from radicals, and Patricia informs him that opposition of using salmon from British rivers mean they will need to use farmed salmon, the sheikh believes salmon bred in captivity will not survive, he rejects this offer and ends the British government's involvement in the project, and Alfred resigns his government job to continue the project. Alfred confronts his wife and realises their marriage is over and that he is in love with Harriet, he convinces the sheikh to give the farmed salmon a try, there is an assassination attempt on the sheikh, and Harriet says to Alfred she will need some time before considering them being together. At a press conference Patricia surprises Harriet with Robert, who survived an anti-terrorism operation, this is a PR stunt that upsets Alfred, but Harriet's for Robert have changed, and Alfred declines a message from his wife asking him to return. The following day the salmon are released from the holding tanks, eventually the fish swim upstream and everyone celebrates the success of the project, and photographers catch the important people fishing, but terrorists break in and cause a flash flood, most people survive, but the valley is left in ruins, the sheikh blames himself for the tragedy, but vows to rebuild. The next day Harriet prepares to leave with Robert, she approaches Alfred to say goodbye, but then a salmon is seen jumping from the water, indicating some of the fish survived, Alfred says he will stay to help rebuild, and wants Harriet to be his partner, they embrace and hold hands as they look out over the river. Also starring Catherine Steadman as Ashley, Clive Wood as Tom Price-Williams, Tom Beard as Peter Maxwell and Jill Baker as Betty Burnside. McGregor is a curious choice but is likable, Blunt looks nice and is equally likable, together they have good rapport, and Scott Thomas does get the most funny moments as the persuasive spin doctor, the story of a harebrained scheme is amusing, gentle and easy to understand, and the little love story going on is nice as well, it is just a simple enjoyable romantic comedy drama. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Good!
dierregi
McGregor plays stuffy government employee Dr. Alfred Jones, forced by his boss to pursue the dubious plan of introducing salmons in Yemen. The plan is encouraged as a PR stunt, to prove that good relations between the UK and the Middle East are not impossible.Therefore, Dr. Jones unwillingly cooperates with Harriet (played by Emily Blunt) and gets to know the Yemenite sheik (Amr Waked) who is willing to invest lots of money to fulfil his dream. Scott Thomas plays the hilariously insufferable Press Secretary to the British Prime Minister. Romance ensues, but with some hindrance along the way.Luckily, no knowledge of fishing is required to follow the story. McGregor and Blunt have chemistry. Scott Thomas and Amr Waked are excellent supporting actors and the movie is simply delightful. A rarity nowadays.
