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Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

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Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)

March. 09,2012
|
6.8
|
PG-13
| Drama Comedy Romance
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A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik's vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible.

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Reviews

FeistyUpper
2012/03/09

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

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ShangLuda
2012/03/10

Admirable film.

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Humbersi
2012/03/11

The first must-see film of the year.

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Lollivan
2012/03/12

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

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ericventura
2012/03/13

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen attempts to take a fresh dip in the Hollywood pool, but instead turns to the typical saltwater of movies. It does reach the level of light romantic comedy without going too far on the lovey-dovey side, yet it still embraces quite a bit of unwanted cliché. And the entire film, subject, and theme is as confused as the sheikh, who is trying to build a river suitable for salmon fishing in Yemen.Is the film lightly satirical or lightly comedic with a hint of romance? The novel itself is a political satire, but the film adaptation seems to take the form of a romantic comedy with political satire abruptly injected into various moments. Hallström, with a deal of great movies under his belt, fails to achieve a proper blend of comedy and satire to render this movie effective. He should have strived for something like The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) or American Beauty (1999). Something lightly satiric and socially critical, hidden by the main part of the film. Unfortunately, we mainly just get a cliché romantic comedy.However, the movie is fairly well done. A comedic mid-life crisis with a hint of love is used to effectively drive the plot forward with ample character development and somewhat developed themes. Too bad the thematic development was left to drown so that the romantic relationship could be fully played out. Additionally, anything that can be seen from a mile away is usually considered boring and dull – and I could predict most of the movie's events with ease. Thank you, clichéd plot.The film remains entertaining and interesting with contributions by Amr Waked as the mystic and visionary sheikh. Performances by McGregor and Blunt are as stale as the characters they played – mere caricatures of the trope they are based upon. But, the writing is splendid, including well-written and witty dialogue as a main form of characterization and subtle parallelism developed throughout the film. Hallström, unfortunately, could not embrace the novel and script, leaving both to be overpowered by the immensity of love. In this case, salmon fishing probably shouldn't occur in the Yemen if this film is what it yields.

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philip-00197
2012/03/14

Lasse Hallström often manages to steer, just, clear of getting too cheesy in his many feel-good performances - Fishing in the Yemen arguably ran aground. I am partial to most of his work - though often heavily sugarcoated he often manages to hit that feel-good sweet spot. The film also appears to have some gender issues. It feels like an obvious chick flick has been "maskulinified" by adding a fishing component and, thankfully, omitting Hugh Grant - maybe a good enough idea on paper, but it doesn't work very well.In an apparent attempt to blend Local Hero with Notting Hill - I can only reach the conclusion that both targets were missed.If you are a huge fan of Lasse Hallstrom - this will probably work for you. If you are less acquainted I suggest you start with some of his other work - most of which is superior.

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Jackson Booth-Millard
2012/03/15

I saw the trailer for this film and I thought it looked like a nice charming film, and had good actors in it, so I was looking forward to seeing it, directed by Lasse Hallström (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, Dear John). Basically Scottish fisheries expert Alfred Jones (Golden Globe nominated Ewan McGregor) receives an email from financial adviser Harriet Chetwode- Talbot (Golden Globe nominated Emily Blunt), seeking advice on a project to bring salmon fishing to the Yemen. Alfred dismisses this as "fundamentally unfeasible" because of environmental needs for salmon, but the project is bankrolled by visionary wealthy Yemeni Sheikh Muhammed (Amr Waked), and supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the British Prime Minister's press secretary Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) thinks the positive salmon fishing story would help improve relations between Britain and the Islamic world. Alfred meets Harriet to discuss the project, she tries to convince him of misconceptions of the Yemen environment, but Alfred is convinced that the project is foolhardy, but Alfred's boss is being pressured by Patricia and forces him to accept a position on the project, Alfred considers resigning rather than ruin his reputation, but his wife convinces him they need the income. Harriet arranges for Alfred to meet the sheikh at his estate in the Scottish Highlands, he acknowledges the project may sound crazy, but he believes fishing is a noble pursuit that promotes harmony and requires immense faith. Alfred devotes himself to the salmon project after his career focused wife Mary (Rachael Stirling) accepts a position in Geneva, despite being shy he enjoys working with Harriet and they begin to make progress. But their enthusiasm is interrupted when Harriet's boyfriend Robert Meyers (Tom Mison), a captain in the British special forces, is reported missing in action, devastated she withdraws, Alfred tries to convince her to return, but not just to get her back to work, but to comfort her, and they embrace. Meanwhile the sheikh continues work, despite criticism from radicals, and Patricia informs him that opposition of using salmon from British rivers mean they will need to use farmed salmon, the sheikh believes salmon bred in captivity will not survive, he rejects this offer and ends the British government's involvement in the project, and Alfred resigns his government job to continue the project. Alfred confronts his wife and realises their marriage is over and that he is in love with Harriet, he convinces the sheikh to give the farmed salmon a try, there is an assassination attempt on the sheikh, and Harriet says to Alfred she will need some time before considering them being together. At a press conference Patricia surprises Harriet with Robert, who survived an anti-terrorism operation, this is a PR stunt that upsets Alfred, but Harriet's for Robert have changed, and Alfred declines a message from his wife asking him to return. The following day the salmon are released from the holding tanks, eventually the fish swim upstream and everyone celebrates the success of the project, and photographers catch the important people fishing, but terrorists break in and cause a flash flood, most people survive, but the valley is left in ruins, the sheikh blames himself for the tragedy, but vows to rebuild. The next day Harriet prepares to leave with Robert, she approaches Alfred to say goodbye, but then a salmon is seen jumping from the water, indicating some of the fish survived, Alfred says he will stay to help rebuild, and wants Harriet to be his partner, they embrace and hold hands as they look out over the river. Also starring Catherine Steadman as Ashley, Clive Wood as Tom Price-Williams, Tom Beard as Peter Maxwell and Jill Baker as Betty Burnside. McGregor is a curious choice but is likable, Blunt looks nice and is equally likable, together they have good rapport, and Scott Thomas does get the most funny moments as the persuasive spin doctor, the story of a harebrained scheme is amusing, gentle and easy to understand, and the little love story going on is nice as well, it is just a simple enjoyable romantic comedy drama. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Good!

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phoenix 2
2012/03/16

At first, Dr Jones can't believe how the project of creating a river in Yemen and load it with salmon in order of the Sheikh Muhammed to exercises his love of fishing, is even possible. But after the insistence of his representative, Harriet, and the involvement of the British government, Dr Jones will eventually take over the project, which will change his life.The film is a story about fish (a), love (b) marriage (c) human relations (d) and more. And even though the fishing and the knowing of the new civilization occupy the fist part of the film, love takes over the rest of it. However, there was something I didn't like about it. The ending wasn't really good. Not because of Harriet's choice, but more because of the rush that overtook it. The comical parts of the plot, the ones with the Ms Maxwell, weren't that good and they confused me a little and so I found them unnecessary. Other than that, the movie is nice enough to watch once or twice (can't see myself watching it more than that) but it's not a film that you can expect much from it.So 4 out of 10.

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