Salmon Fishing In Yemen Review

15th Apr 2012

An rather offbeat idea: A rich Sheik wants to convert land in Yemen to make way for a spot of Salmon Fishing. And for this he enters negotiations with the UK government to buy and move a large quantity of the fish from our shores to his.

A baffling and scientifically difficult request that one person in particular finds absurd (Fisheries Scientist Fred Jones; played brilliantly by Ewan McGregor). From his initially Email battle with Harriot (Emily Blunt) whom brings the idea to his attention to his dealings with the Sheik in person (Amr Waked) who ends up being the biggest voice of reason for every dramatic beat in the film. It’s never a dull trip as these characters battle with egos and their personal lives as they slowly come to believe in this project that is provoking cultural change.

Scott-Thomas sadly gets lumbered with a two-dimensional “Evil Press officer” role that only stands out due to the abrupt lines she is given to speak. A bit of a cheap ploy to get laughs; masked well by an actress who can handle such a role in their sleep.

Blunt comes off merely as ok. Her own back story and predicament seems far too forced into the drama for it ever to ring true or convincing. Instead it’s just an emotional obstacle for her to worry about that pays off poorly in the film’s final act (again a mere contrivance for the whole romantic subplot). It might have been better to let what happens in the bulk of the film be the natural outcome for things.

It is left to McGregor then to steal the show from start to end. His character is entertaining, funny and very awkward throughout and McGregor really makes the character work. Salmon Fishing then is not a film that is likely to pull in mass audiences, but is one that should do well with the independent British crowd.