Review: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Ewan McGregor is the dry, fusty academic tasked with making real the sheikh’s dream – of introducing salmon fishing into the Yemen – and Emily Blunt is the feisty civil servant who has to untangle miles of red tape to assist him.
Taken from Paul Torday’s novel this is a bizarre, quirky little tale that relies heavily on the chemistry between mismatched duo Harriet and Alfred (Blunt and McGregor). Fatally, there is none.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMcGregor, as the awkward, vaguely Asperger’s-afflicted Arthur, is woefully miscast. One has to wonder at his decision-making process after witnessing his recent work in this and projects such as Haywire.
Emily Blunt fares better as the pen pusher with a soldier boyfriend lost in action but frequently it feels as if her grief and concern come a very poor second to the fish.
The film belongs to Kristin Scott Thomas as the Prime Minister’s press secretary, a conniving career woman – all fake smiles, power suits and manipulation – who sees the sheikh’s scheme as a vote winner. If there are laughs to be harvested, she does so.
This is an eccentric film. Not a drama, not a comedy, not a romance yet possessing all of those unwieldy elements. It makes for an unsuccessful combination and one that takes a right turn into utter nonsense when McGregor foils an assassination attempt. Such moments ensure this one rapidly wears out its welcome. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a film that misses on almost every level. It is a confused, meandering mess of a movie – a surprise given the pedigree of screenwriter Simon (127 Hours) Beaufoy and director Lasse (Chocolat) Hallström.
Think ‘A Salmon Swims Through It’ but without Brad Pitt, Brenda Blethyn or Robert Redford…