Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

“When things get tricky in my life, I talk to my fish.” – Dr. Alfred Jones

Number of Times Seen – 1 (4 Feb 2020)

Brief Synopsis – A Yemeni Prince hires a consultant to check the feasibility of creating a reservoir for fly fishing in the deserts of his country.

My Take on it – This is a film that despite its very strange and unique title actually has some merits to it.

The overall premise of the film is presented quite well and the fact that it is based on true events adds much to the beliveability of it all.

They do a nice job here juggling the focus of the story between the characters driven by their work and the global repercussions of what they have set in motion.

Ewan McGregor is great here in the lead role and is helped along by Emily Blunt.

The chemistry between their characters works really well and they do a nice job building up that connection as the story moves along.

This film does have a few too many instances where they seem to get much too technical and the dialogue seems as if they are just babbling along in gibberish because of this.

Thankfully, this doesn’t hurt the film too much, but it’s too bad that they weren’t able to find a way to present things in a more succinct and understandable fashion because it would have helped make this movie even better.

Bottom Line – Interesting idea that works even more due to the fact that it’s based on real events. The story does a good job juggling the focus between the characters and the supposed global impact of their actions. McGregor is great in the lead role and he and Blunt have really good chemistry together which builds as the story moves along. There are a bit too many instances where the story and dialogue become too technical and it seems as if they are babbling along, but that doesn’t hurt things too much. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – When Alfred (Ewan McGregor) goes to Harriet’s apartment, he is shown walking in the opposite direction of the other people in the street, similar to the salmon which swims against the current. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (7/10)