Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Review

24th Aug 2012

On viewing the trailer this is not the usual type of film that I would choose to watch. I think it’s the, what feels outdated, attempt to play on the British stereotypes and the genre of film funded by the BBC, which tends to put me off films similar to this. It’s as if the British film industry never quite managed to shake off the expectation of Four Weddings. However what did draw me to this film is the cast, even a big pile of steaming shit can’t be too bad if you have Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor in the leads (oh hang on flashbacks of The Island…no Ewan why why?). Then if you note the director is Lasse Hallström (Chocolate, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules) you realise this film could have potential to be visually rich and truly (to use a sickening phrase) heart warming.

So did it manage to win me over? Kind of. The premise of the film is that you have a Yemen sheik (Amr Waked) with philanthropic visions of bringing salmon fishing to the Yemen. His consultant Harriet (Blunt) is trying to make this happen by asking for help from a British government expert of fish, Alfred (McGregor). The film essentially follows the development of their relationship through this plot story with undertones of faith, hope, aspiration and the ability to change. Side stories involve Harriet’s soldier boyfriend, Alfred’s washed out marriage and Kirsten Scott Thomas’ performance as the Prime Minister’s press secretary.

Blunt and McGregor do put in solid performances and are typically a joy to watch however whilst McGregor is allowed to be his Scottish self in this it does feel as though that is verges into the bumbling English, socially inept, romantically clueless stereotype at times rather than being someone with asperger’s. My only criticism of Blunt is less her and more relating to the soldier subplot. Her performance is great but I just don’t believe the way this has been written, how can I feel her emotions when I question the depth of the relationship with the soldier. The more I consider the film the more I do acknowledge what a good performance the actors did with their material. The problem is that there are evidently so much more to these characters than the time which is given in the film and not only the main characters but the supporting cast. Alfred’s failing marriage is sped past and this leaves you feeling a little cheated by the way it is tossed aside so casually. You then need to distinguish whether it was the script writing who were so careless with a marriage or the character himself (which inevitably changes how you feel about him). Are we supposed to think his wife is a cold hearted bitch trapping the poor Alfred or is she someone who is coping in a marriage they shouldn’t be in? In hindsight maybe this is an unclear positive of the film, the characters aren’t clear cut and do have depth but with her maximum of 5 minutes screen time in the film I’m left unable to make a decision either way.

As you often get in a Hallström film there is the comedic light relief and this is performed wonderfully by Kirsten Scott Thomas. I can really only say positive things about her. Her deadpan sarcasm and humour is perfectly done and when you note that most of her performance is done to a phone you admire it all the more.

I have just a few editing and stylistic niggles with the film. It is based on a book which tells the story through a series of emails, interviews and diary entries and at times attempts to do some editing techniques to reflect this. It feels tacky and cheap. I think this is the case of a director playing with a certain style because he is testing a technique and is not necessary for the film.

I’m not going to rate this film above average, it is no Chocolat but is enjoyable, thankfully not soppy or romantic and with what you’d call heart but does lack in-depth exploration of the characters. After watching this I am more inclined to read the book to find more satisfaction from these characters.