Review of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) by Jacob H — 05 Apr 2013

Very likeable but awkward.

Chocolat and Dear John director Lasse Hallstrom brings us Salmon Fishing in the Yeman which sees Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), Britain's leading fishery expert, being approached by consultant Harriet (Emily Blunt) in order to help a Sheik (Amr Waked) to bring his vision of having the sport of fly-fishing in Yemen. Pressure begins to build throughout the project as the Prime Minister's press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas) gets involved. Can they pull it off?

Salmon Fishing is based on Paul Torday, the film never does enough to take you away but Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and especially Kristin Scott Thomas manage to keep you involved. Possibly giving her funniest performance since Four Weddings and a Funeral, Scott Thomas delivers the dialogue given to her perfectly and will have you laughing out loud in almost every one of her scenes; definitely the performance that keeps the film rolling. The film quickly becomes a story of relationships and love with all the loose ends waiting until the last possible moment to sort themselves out.

Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt are also on good form. McGregor plays shy, rule-orientated Dr. Fred Jones, who reluctantly has to take the job; believing that it is absurd to even contemplate putting fish in the desert, never mind actually going forward with it. Blunt plays Harriet, the representative of the Sheik on the project, whose job it is to get all of the Sheik's ideas and plans across to Fred. Together the pair keep things interesting, with Blunt's vulnerabilities and McGregor's inability for emotion creating some very awkward humour.

An extremely likeable comedy that just about manages to keep you hooked.

J.Henderson.

6.5/10.