A Fishy Tale: Is “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” Worth the Bite?
Ewan McGregor delivers a charmingly awkward performance in “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,” a film as eccentric as its premise. While the movie might not be perfect, it offers a delightful experience for those willing to take the bait. Plus, Kristin Scott Thomas arguably lands her funniest role since “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”
The story centers around a wealthy sheikh (Amr Waked) with the ambitious dream of introducing salmon fishing to the Yemeni desert. He enlists the help of Dr. Fred Jones (McGregor), a skeptical fisheries expert, and Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily Blunt), who acts as the sheikh’s representative. As they embark on this improbable project, they face both logistical and romantic challenges.
With a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, the writer behind “Slumdog Millionaire,” and starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, one might expect a straightforward British hit. However, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is a more complex film, blending political satire, risqué humor, an improbable romance, and even a political assassination plot. The result is a mixed bag, but one that offers some scenic views along the way.
McGregor portrays Fred as a friendly, albeit slightly obsessive, fisheries expert who favors elderly-esque gray cardigans (in Paul Torday’s novel, Fred is significantly older). He’s instantly smitten with the glamorous Harriet (a radiant Blunt), becoming tongue-tied in her presence. Much of the film’s lighthearted comedy stems from the contrast between Fred’s awkwardness and Harriet’s effortless professionalism. While the trailer suggests a predictable romance, the situation becomes more complicated when we learn that Fred is married to Mary (Rachael Stirling) and Harriet is pining for a handsome soldier, Robert (Tom Mison). Oh, and did we mention they have absolutely nothing in common?
The Absurdity of Ambition
Despite their personal entanglements, the ambitious project itself provides ample comedic opportunities. Fred attempts to sabotage the project by creating outrageously expensive budget proposals, but the sheikh (Amr Waked) approves them without hesitation. Fred foresees a scandal over the transportation of British salmon to Yemen, but Prime Minister’s representative Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) is unfazed, willing to do anything to distract the public from bad news in the Middle East.
Kristin Scott Thomas Steals the Show
Kristin Scott Thomas shines as the ruthless spin doctor, adept at manipulating public opinion. Equally candid with the Prime Minister, her subordinates, and even her own children, she’s the film’s biggest catch. Every time she appears on screen, issuing orders based on personal whims and ignorance, comparisons to “In the Loop” are inevitable (and welcome). While the character was male in the book, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect actor for this hilarious role.
A Mixed Catch
The film’s action moves from London to Scotland and then to Yemen, but the tonal shifts in this dramedy are sometimes jarring. The assassination plot and family dramas disrupt the lighthearted atmosphere and distract from the main storyline. Despite these flaws, the film offers moments of genuine amusement and tenderness, making it an enjoyable, though not essential, viewing experience.