COLUMN: ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’ is full of eye candy
I know what you are thinking, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen?” What does that even mean? You may be thrown off by the title or even the idea, but this Ewan McGregor independent film is not just about fish.
This story is about Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), a fisheries expert, who leads a rather dull life until an absurd vision is revealed by a Sheikh – a leader of an Arab village. Sheikh Muhammad wants to introduce salmon fishing to his people in the Yemen. That’s right, the Yemen, aka the driest place on earth. Unfortunately, it seems illogical and virtually impossible to place and keep alive salmon in the middle of a desert. Dr. Jones is offered double the pay he makes at his monotonous desk job to take on this task. Making sarcastic remarks the entire time of how unrealistic this vision is, Dr. Jones learns a lot about himself and proves the impossible, possible.
In order to get salmon to the Yemen they would literally have to transport tanks of water and salmon from the United Kingdom to the Middle East using heavy-duty military aircraft and hope the fish stay alive. This effort will only work if the dam the Sheikh had built in the middle of nowhere serves its purpose during the dry season.
With help, the projects tasks are completed with crossed fingers. Harriet, played by the lovely Emily Blunt, is the consultant who gets the $50,000 project off the ground in the first place and remains by Dr. Jones’ side until the end. The awkward and humorless Dr. Jones and Harriet, despite the mutual argumentative attitudes, grow fond of each other.
Emily Blunt, seen in “Adjustment Bureau” and not many other films I have seen, does an excellent job portraying Harriet. Her chemistry with Ewan McGregor is endearing. It’s probably just because he gets to speak in his real voice. McGregor is from Scotland and is rarely heard on screen using his best feature. I have not swooned over him this much since Moulin Rouge.
Ewan McGregor not only got to speak normally but he also played a role different from anything I have ever seen him do. “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” had a constantly witty dialogue throughout the entire film. Dr. Jones was a little awkward with his Asperger’s-like personality but his unintentional hilarity was the cherry on top.
Amr Waked played Sheikh Muhammad. I have never seen this actor before but he played a very humble and respectful man. I grew to love his character the most. He was charming and not to mention good looking. Most of all, he taught Dr. Jones about faith and how it relates to fish.
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” isn’t known for its special graphics, big splashes or explosions however it is definitely worth seeing for the laughs and inspirational, family friendly feel. You can also see it for the beautiful sounding Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt.
I give this Indie flick props for being one of the most original films I have seen all year. Well, as original as a film can be that is actually based off a book. “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is based on a novel by Paul Torday. The British humor and wit, I am almost certain, comes from the novel. It is rare to see a film like this in America. In fact, it took a year for it to get released in the U.S. It debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011, resulting in lots of praise and success. Starting in mid-March 2012, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” was introduced to the U.S. with a limited release and expanded at the beginning of April.
The well-acclaimed indie film has yet to be released here in Logan but for those able and willing, it is playing at various theaters in or near Salt Lake City.
– anike.pullens@aggiemail.usu.edu