Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
In another Lasse Hallstrom charming tale, Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt are given the opportunity to act in a genre relatively unknown to them: romantic comedy. Both are versatile and both can be found in many other genres – action, thrillers, period pieces, biopics, drama, indie flicks, musicals – but romantic comedies are pretty rare on their resumés. They’re both good-looking, they have good timing and chemistry, so what’s not to like?
What’s not to like is the story. It’s a little odd, but if you can just get around it and try to appreciate it for the slow, steady, charming direction, you’ll be in good shape. When Kristin Scott Thomas, a newspaper editor, is told to provide positive press on the Middle East because of the war, she gloms onto a ridiculous story of a sheik who wants to bring salmon to the Yemen. Emily Blunt represents him, Amr Waked, and she totally butts heads with Ewan McGregor, a scientist who believes the fish can’t survive in that region. It’s a case of science versus faith, feelings versus logic, and guess which will prevail?
Objectively, Emily’s character wasn’t very likable. But with the lines in front of her, how is she supposed to deliver them? Ewan is a doll in his shy scientist role, and it’s a safe bet that they will both soften each other’s edges. If you like harmless romantic comedies with a touch of corniness to it, rent this one if you missed it in the theaters.
More Emily Blunt movies here!
What’s not to like is the story. It’s a little odd, but if you can just get around it and try to appreciate it for the slow, steady, charming direction, you’ll be in good shape. When Kristin Scott Thomas, a newspaper editor, is told to provide positive press on the Middle East because of the war, she gloms onto a ridiculous story of a sheik who wants to bring salmon to the Yemen. Emily Blunt represents him, Amr Waked, and she totally butts heads with Ewan McGregor, a scientist who believes the fish can’t survive in that region. It’s a case of science versus faith, feelings versus logic, and guess which will prevail?
Objectively, Emily’s character wasn’t very likable. But with the lines in front of her, how is she supposed to deliver them? Ewan is a doll in his shy scientist role, and it’s a safe bet that they will both soften each other’s edges. If you like harmless romantic comedies with a touch of corniness to it, rent this one if you missed it in the theaters.
More Emily Blunt movies here!