Review of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) by Chris M — 06 Aug 2013

Let's be honest here, the news in general nowadays is extremely depressing especially for countries in the Middle East. Whenever there's news relating to a country in that area of the world, you can practically count on it not being good news. But yet, there's always a chance that not all hope is lost for any place where there seemingly is no hope. That's when a film like Salmon Fishing in the Yemen comes in which proposes that very idea with its story that follows characters who try and find a positive story in an area in the Middle East.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen follows a British fish expert (Ewan McGregor) who, much to his skepticism, helps a financial adviser (Emily Blunt) with advice regarding a project to bring salmon fishing to the Yemen which would be financial supported by a religious leader (Amr Waked). These two are assigned to work on this project, so that the British Prime Minister's press secretary (Kristen Scott Thomas) can have a positive, upbeat story that will help improve the relationship between Britain and the nations from that part of the world.

They both go to meet this religious leader, who sincerely believes that fishing basically creates peace among man, to discuss their plans towards making his ambitious dream a reality with the resources available. As this project progresses, many things take place. The fish expert's busy wife (Rachael Stirling) divorces him. The adviser's boyfriend (Tom Mison) is missing in action while fighting in Afghanistan. A meaningful connection between the expert and the adviser takes place meaning that, I'm not making this up, they fall in love.

As you can tell from that last sentence, you can already tell what the main problem I have with this movie is, the love story. Personally, the regular story with the two trying to help make the religious leader's dream a reality was good enough already. So, why do we need to force a love story in the mix? Now don't get me wrong, I like these two characters well enough and the chemistry that is there isn't bad. The reason I'm mixed about it is because the developments in this love story, particularly in the third act, are awkward, forced, and clichéd.

I'm especially baffled by what the boyfriend of the adviser does at the end of the picture. I simply don't get why he would do what he did in the ending. It doesn't make sense and it was hardly built up earlier that he would eventually do this. Basically, he and also the expert's wife were just used as plot devices and that frustrates me, because there was practically no point to these characters whatsoever outside of making this love story awkward. In other words, I though the filmmakers blew it with the film's uninspired ending particularly in regards to the love story.

Enough about the negative aspects of the film, what is it about Salmon Fishing in the Yemen that makes it worth recommending overall? For one thing, I do think that the character of the religious leader is well thought out by the writers and well performed by Amr Waked. Instead of making him a comical Indian stereotype like the ones you'd see in sitcoms like 30 Rock or The Big Bang Theory, they simply just make him a person who looks for peace in his country through something he's passionate about: fishing. I like how he says that fishing is basically a religious experience in that a lot of faith is involved when trying to capture fish. Makes sense, doesn't it?

Speaking of faith, there's a well thought out plot detail in this film regarding the status of the fish expert's faith and a brilliant payoff for that as well. I won't give too much away other than that sometimes little things can be a big deal for some of us. Come to think of it, this picture's main plot is sort of a spiritual experience, isn't it? Think about it, this picture is about two people from one country looking for good news for another country in which all hope seems to be lost there. The main romance involves two people who have trouble with their boyfriend or wife, but are able to find happiness with each other. Is it pure coincidence? I think not, I think it seems to be all intentionally tied together with the same theme regarding the importance of faith.

In the end, the best way to sum up Salmon Fishing in the Yemen in a nutshell is that it is a spiritual experience. It shows us that sometimes, faith is necessary to get through life in a way. Will it always come from big events? Not necessarily, but it can come from something nonetheless. That's what the film is all about, and it consistently sticks to that message all the way through. And for that, it is worthy of checking out.