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• Currently 2/5 Stars.

Movies.ie Critic Review

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN (USA/12A/106mins)

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. Starring Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, Amr Waked, Kristen Scott Thomas, Catherine Steadman, Rachel Stirling, Tom Beard.

THE PLOT: Based on the 2006 prize-winning novel by Paul Torday, and with a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty, Slumdog Millionaire), Salmon Fishing In The Yemen tells the story of a frustrated British government expert (McGregor)  in fisheries who reluctantly attempts to fulfill the wishes of a wealthy Yemeni sheikh (Waked) to introduce salmon fishing to his desert country (or, as he sees it, “a wealthy man’s bagatelle”). Still, the British prime minister’s press secretary seeing the project as the perfect goodwill story of Anglo-Arab relations. Acting on behalf of the sheikh is consultant Harriet (Blunt), who soon finds herself attracted to the fisheries expert. As luck would have it, he’s estranged from his career-minded wife. And her boyfriend is missing in action in the war.

THE VERDICT: Garnering good reviews and not-all-that-bad US box-office, Salmon Fishing In The Yemenis one of those intriguing little films that doesn’t quite deliver on its promise. Mainly because Ewan McGregor – a graduate of the C&A School Of Acting - is in the lead role. The man with the Jim Fixed It For Me smile has buried many an intriguing film, and this is yet another slightly under-the-radar, low-budget and quirky mainstream offering that bears the curse of the inanely grinning Scot. Blunt, of course should have known better, whilst Hallstrom (we’re so very, very far from My Life As A Dog now) once again opts for the soft option, taking out much of the political bite of Torday’s original novel. RATING: 2/5

Review by Paul Byrne 

• Avg User rating
• Currently 3/5 Stars.

User Reviews

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  goldfish

  

  The movie title will probably instantly have some running the other way but this is one of those great British movies with humour, romance, some subtle philsophical/political messages and some great character performances. Kirsten Scott Thomas and Emily Blunt steal the film for me away from Ewan McGregor playing a role that can only be described as not what you would normally expect from him. I can't quite make my mind up if he has got the character spot on or not but it seems to work. The film zips along even if the subject matter might seem a bit boring to some but you don't need to be a subscriber to Angling Times to follow along. Well worth a look for a change of pace from all the high octane action films out at present.

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  vu1999uk

  

  Excellent and enjoyable low key comedy drama that features great performances from Ewan Mcgregor and Emily Blunt. Special praise for Kristin Scott Thomas who is brilliantly funny in a supporting role.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  Marty hanratty

  

  Enjoying a film like "Salmon Fishing In The Yemen" is similar to acquiring a taste for actual fishing. Like the sport that some find invigorating while others find it dreadfully dull, this film has its draggy moments. However, there are also enlightening points to the movie that come when you least expect them

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  Onionhead

  

  Just when I thought I was finished going to movies because so many are just plain vulgar, boring, and loud and not worth the investment of my time, along comes this near perfect piece of filmmaking. The story, the characters, the actors that were chosen, and the dialogue (refreshingly witty and at times thought provoking)... it all comes together in so enjoyable a fashion that I did not want the show to end! Aside from the foul-mouthed politicians (what a surprise, right?), there was not one minute of the movie I would change in any way. If you want to come away from a movie-going experience feeling good with plenty of information to discuss afterwards with your date, then RUN to see "Salmon Fishing in Yemen"!

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  filmbuff2011

  

  If you can put aside the slightly odd title, Salmon Fishing In The Yemen is a pleasant, delightful film that doesn't overstay its welcome. Based on the book by Paul Torday, it's about a fisheries expert called in by a fish-loving Sheik to look at the possibility of transposing salmon fishing into the arid region of the Yemen. Initially very skeptical, he gradually begins to understand what the Sheik is really trying to do. He also becomes closer to the Sheik's pretty English aide, even though both of them are already involved with other people. The two leads are well-played by Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, with Kristin Scott-Thomas lending some weighty support as a bitchy, manipulative Government press officer. There's some genuine heart in the film, a typical trait of a Lasse Hallstrom film. The ending is a little too neat, but overall the film mostly works due its performances and the original, literally fish-out-of-water story.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  mart

  

  While "Salmon Fishing" fritters away the comic momentum of its madcap opening chapters, it's like angling -- a pleasant diversion if you can look below the surface and muster the patience to appreciate it.