May2012_MOVIE REVIEW
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
By Gemma Schuhmann
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a story about faith, love and of course, fish. It follows Fred (Ewan McGregor) as he introduces salmon fishing in the Yemen.
By Gemma Schuhmann
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a story about faith, love and of course, fish. It follows Fred (Ewan McGregor) as he introduces salmon fishing in the Yemen.
At first he dismisses the rich Arab’s ‘vision’ as crazy, which only leaves him on bad terms with the Sheik’s legal representative, Harriet (Emily Blunt). The British government want to use this project to offset bad news coming out of Afghanistan therefore the crazy idea must go ahead. This vision allows them to discover what they really want out of life. The fish bring them together.
The whole mission of this film of introducing salmon fishing into the Yemen is carried and pushed along by ‘Faith’. Each character has a different version of their faith. The Sheik has a vision that is driven by his religious faith. Fred who is a ‘facts and figures man’ has faith in fish, while Harriet has faith in both of them. These faiths lead to love. The love of fish, the idea and each other. So when the love triangle appears it seems too obvious and doesn’t seem to flow with the storyline. However it becomes more natural and by the end of the film you forget how bizarre it was initially.
The film is a good British comedy. It is a nice relief from the over the top American comedy’s that have been released recently. The movie has such a light hearted humour which allows the darker scenes to not ruin the overall vibe. The best part was that the audience was chuckling to themselves the whole time. The only time they were actually laughing out loud was when Kristin Scott Thomas’s character was on screen. Her character was a very deliberate attempt at comedy, compared to the other characters which are more natural.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen hits all the right buttons. The cast are fantastic to watch. They make the characters believable, even when the storyline is a little farfetched. The director, Lasse Hallström, knows exactly what he is doing, having directed both Dear John and Chocolat. He allows you to walk into the film and get lost in it.
This movie makes you feel good. You will walk out of the cinema feeling satisfied, no matter how old you are. Best feel-good movie of the year so far.
4 ½ / 5
The whole mission of this film of introducing salmon fishing into the Yemen is carried and pushed along by ‘Faith’. Each character has a different version of their faith. The Sheik has a vision that is driven by his religious faith. Fred who is a ‘facts and figures man’ has faith in fish, while Harriet has faith in both of them. These faiths lead to love. The love of fish, the idea and each other. So when the love triangle appears it seems too obvious and doesn’t seem to flow with the storyline. However it becomes more natural and by the end of the film you forget how bizarre it was initially.
The film is a good British comedy. It is a nice relief from the over the top American comedy’s that have been released recently. The movie has such a light hearted humour which allows the darker scenes to not ruin the overall vibe. The best part was that the audience was chuckling to themselves the whole time. The only time they were actually laughing out loud was when Kristin Scott Thomas’s character was on screen. Her character was a very deliberate attempt at comedy, compared to the other characters which are more natural.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen hits all the right buttons. The cast are fantastic to watch. They make the characters believable, even when the storyline is a little farfetched. The director, Lasse Hallström, knows exactly what he is doing, having directed both Dear John and Chocolat. He allows you to walk into the film and get lost in it.
This movie makes you feel good. You will walk out of the cinema feeling satisfied, no matter how old you are. Best feel-good movie of the year so far.
4 ½ / 5
