Review of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) by Spangle — 09 Jan 2017

As with all Lasse Hallstrom films, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is an incredibly safe film. A Hallstrom film without a happy ending is not a Hallstrom film and this is often to his film's detriment. He is so risk averse, he churns out merely palatable films like nobody else can. Yet, he is also consistent with many of these palatable films being oddly sweet and satisfying. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen fits the bill here. Telling the story of a Yemeni Shekih who wants to bring salmon fishing to Yemen and the efforts of the British to help make his dream a reality, the film is sweet, charming, and funny. Highlighting the absurdity of the task at hand and using it as an exploration of faith and unity, Hallstrom's film is a largely non-descript and is easy and breezy to watch.

With two strong performances anchoring the film, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen was always off to a good start. Though safe, it is elevated by typically top-notch performances from Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. The duo have good chemistry. As Dr. Alfred Jones, the fisheries expert tasked with making the project a reality, McGregor is great. Middle aged and unhappy in his loveless marriage, he clearly still wants his wife. However, her boring and lack of affection leave him feeling isolated and alone, even in his marriage. For Blunt, she portrays Harriet, who works for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Initially alone before meeting a soldier, falling in love, only for him to go MIA and be declared dead in war, Harriet quickly goes from alone to broken. In the meantime, she meets Alfred and the two obviously strike a romance. Yet, Hallstrom crafts one without serious pay-off. As in his all his films, there is a happy ending. But, there is no big kiss here. Instead, we get small touches, small glances, and subtly flirtatious dialogue between the two. So, while the film is a romance, it bound by reality all the same. It is not some bombastic or fantastical experience. Rather, it is drawn out and is slowed down by real life issues and real life trauma.

Additionally, though the plot of bringing salmon to Yemen may seem absurd, the film realizes this. Thus, Hallstrom largely turns it into an exercise that symbolizes faith and unity. Aiming to create unity for his people by bringing an activity that he loves to them, in order for them to flock to the river to fish and bond through it, the sheikh strives to better his people and this is just the first step. To accompany the river, he wishes to turn the valley into an agricultural center for things to be grown in and harvested. The sheikh aims to create a bond and show that a village that works together is stronger than one that does not. In trying times for the region, he wants to build a bridge, not walls. This is certainly understandable. The sheikh also has a religious twist to it, comparing fishing to religion due to the immense faith it requires. Thus, undoubtedly, he sees fishing as giving glory to God and offering thanks for the bounty they receive via fishing and harvest. The sheikh, while rich, seeks to give glory to God by honoring the things He has given humanity: fertile soil, fish, and the knowledge of how to use both. In this way, the film is definitely inspiring to a degree and shows how power can be used for good in the face of strife and animosity in the region the sheikh lives.

Largely quite funny, charming, and thoroughly enjoyable, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is safe to watch with your mother. That said, it is decidedly light watching. Largely predictable and the kind of film to toss on when distracted, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen still remains a pretty good film thanks to good acting and some decent morals and messages delivered along the way.