For most people, fishing is just a popular past time, but for a Sheik in Yemen, it’s more than that.
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is a comedy/drama/romance that brings together the enjoyment of fishing and experiencing it wherever one might be.
Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), a fisheries expert, is put with the task of trying to bring salmon to Yemen so the Sheik (Amr Waked) can show his people that his hobby is more than just a favorite past time.
Although Jones is very distraught over the whole idea and believes that whatever the Sheik is trying to do is just a waste of time, he decides to go along with it after the British Prime Minister’s press secretary, Patricia Maxwell (Kristen Scott Thomas), gives him a grant and says that this project may just help out in more ways than others.
The Sheik, who has spent precious time and money building a dam to keep his dream alive, uses faith to help him get by and believes that if one understands faith, one can understand meaning. The Sheik builds a special bond between his consultant Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily Blunt) and Dr. Jones, and without their company and expertise in what they do, the plot would only sicken with broadness.
It’s hard to do that when half the people assume what he is doing is a waste of time and precious resources.
Maxwell is faced with the challenge of producing a story to enlighten the British people with news other than the usual news of soldiers dying in the war. She portrays her character very well by acting like she should, not only as a mother but also as a strict secretary who knows how to handle people.
Even though the plot of the movie is based on trying to bring salmon to the Yemen, love starts to play a factor between Jones and Harriet, who just happens to be in a predicament herself. Other than being a really good investment rep, Harriet leads a small side life of loving a British soldier who she’s only known for three weeks, and trying to figure out if he’s the one for her or if her time with Dr. Jones has brought together two people who enjoy each other’s company.
The movie is spread out on emotions. One minute you’re laughing at seamless jokes, the next your eyes are watering over the fact that love between two people can end in a way that no one can understand.
The acting portrayed in the film is simply amazing. Each actor and actress seems to know what he or she is talking about and knows just how to put things.
At times, the screenplay can be hard to understand, but when a movie is based upon fishing, that’s easily understandable.
The cinematography work is also outstanding. Most shots, especially of the dam and the environment, give viewers just a little taste of what the Sheik is trying to show. Whether it be that, or the thought of different religions coming together to enjoy favorite past times, this movie will grab your heart and make you think twice about things.
The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and some sexual content.
