Review of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) by Ahmed S — 16 Dec 2012

I know it sounds kind of fishy, but a movie entitled "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" is actually pretty good! Ye Man! Director Lasse Hallstrom actually did weather the storm of turning what could have been a boring fish story into an inspiring tale of what could happen when a group of individuals have faith in a challenging project. "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" stars Ewan McGregor as Dr. Alfred Jones, a fisheries expert who is assigned by the Prime Minister's press secretary to work on a project that would send thousands of "British" salmon fish to the Middle East upon a request set forth by a wealthy Sheikh Muhammed. Emily Blunt co- stars as Harriett, the pretty consultant in the agency that represents the Sheikh. At first, Harriett makes the initial Shiekh request to Dr. Jones, which he vehemently denies. But then the Prime Minister Press Secretary's observes the request, she decides to catch that bait and pursues Dr. Jones' office to accept the request in order to have a "feel good" story compensate for the melancholy turn of events of the British participation in the Afghanistan war. Did you get all that? Or do I have to go back to the "school of fish" to explain it better? Anyways, the hook of "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" is the developing relationship between the unhappily married Dr. Jones and the nervous Harriet whose boyfriend has been deployed in the war. Will Dr. Jones be able to hook up with Harriet? I won't spoil it for you, but even if he doesn't, he should remember that "there is plenty of fish in the sea". Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, who won a Screenplay Oscar for scribing "Slumdog Millionaire", did give "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" a witty verbal spicing with its scribe. McGregor and Blunt were more than "fish above thespian waters" with their phenomenal starring performances. And the great Kristin Scott Thomas was the debonair comic scene-stealer of the picture with her prime performance as the Prime Minister's Press Secretary Patricia Maxwell; her turn as Maxwell was "good to the last drop". "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" is not for everyone's cinematic appetite, but if you are into witty British romantic-comedy flicks, I am sure it will fill your cinematic appetite.

**** Good.