Kirpianuscus
it has the gift to seem be an Oriental fairy tale. or only a parable. about a strange dream, about a strange man, about a woman and about the new version of Harun al Rashid. and this status does it interesting. because Ewan McGregory does his best , because Kristin Scott Thomas does a real surprise in eccentric role, because Emily Blunt is the perfect nuance for define the picture. the old clichés makes story roll and the tension is almost refreshing. a film about fishing, salmon and Yemen. with few lovely sentimental embroideries. and moral lessons in perfect state. nothing new.or complicated. but seductive for British flavor, good Arab leader, miracle as result of ambition and frustration. and decent acting.
Jackson Booth-Millard
I saw the trailer for this film and I thought it looked like a nice charming film, and had good actors in it, so I was looking forward to seeing it, directed by Lasse Hallström (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, Dear John). Basically Scottish fisheries expert Alfred Jones (Golden Globe nominated Ewan McGregor) receives an email from financial adviser Harriet Chetwode- Talbot (Golden Globe nominated Emily Blunt), seeking advice on a project to bring salmon fishing to the Yemen. Alfred dismisses this as "fundamentally unfeasible" because of environmental needs for salmon, but the project is bankrolled by visionary wealthy Yemeni Sheikh Muhammed (Amr Waked), and supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the British Prime Minister's press secretary Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) thinks the positive salmon fishing story would help improve relations between Britain and the Islamic world. Alfred meets Harriet to discuss the project, she tries to convince him of misconceptions of the Yemen environment, but Alfred is convinced that the project is foolhardy, but Alfred's boss is being pressured by Patricia and forces him to accept a position on the project, Alfred considers resigning rather than ruin his reputation, but his wife convinces him they need the income. Harriet arranges for Alfred to meet the sheikh at his estate in the Scottish Highlands, he acknowledges the project may sound crazy, but he believes fishing is a noble pursuit that promotes harmony and requires immense faith. Alfred devotes himself to the salmon project after his career focused wife Mary (Rachael Stirling) accepts a position in Geneva, despite being shy he enjoys working with Harriet and they begin to make progress. But their enthusiasm is interrupted when Harriet's boyfriend Robert Meyers (Tom Mison), a captain in the British special forces, is reported missing in action, devastated she withdraws, Alfred tries to convince her to return, but not just to get her back to work, but to comfort her, and they embrace. Meanwhile the sheikh continues work, despite criticism from radicals, and Patricia informs him that opposition of using salmon from British rivers mean they will need to use farmed salmon, the sheikh believes salmon bred in captivity will not survive, he rejects this offer and ends the British government's involvement in the project, and Alfred resigns his government job to continue the project. Alfred confronts his wife and realises their marriage is over and that he is in love with Harriet, he convinces the sheikh to give the farmed salmon a try, there is an assassination attempt on the sheikh, and Harriet says to Alfred she will need some time before considering them being together. At a press conference Patricia surprises Harriet with Robert, who survived an anti-terrorism operation, this is a PR stunt that upsets Alfred, but Harriet's for Robert have changed, and Alfred declines a message from his wife asking him to return. The following day the salmon are released from the holding tanks, eventually the fish swim upstream and everyone celebrates the success of the project, and photographers catch the important people fishing, but terrorists break in and cause a flash flood, most people survive, but the valley is left in ruins, the sheikh blames himself for the tragedy, but vows to rebuild. The next day Harriet prepares to leave with Robert, she approaches Alfred to say goodbye, but then a salmon is seen jumping from the water, indicating some of the fish survived, Alfred says he will stay to help rebuild, and wants Harriet to be his partner, they embrace and hold hands as they look out over the river. Also starring Catherine Steadman as Ashley, Clive Wood as Tom Price-Williams, Tom Beard as Peter Maxwell and Jill Baker as Betty Burnside. McGregor is a curious choice but is likable, Blunt looks nice and is equally likable, together they have good rapport, and Scott Thomas does get the most funny moments as the persuasive spin doctor, the story of a harebrained scheme is amusing, gentle and easy to understand, and the little love story going on is nice as well, it is just a simple enjoyable romantic comedy drama. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Good!
bjarias
..This film might seem cute and all, but it totally exemplifies in almost two hour long detail what is wrong with our world today. There's a very small number of folks having somehow obtained the resources to do whatever they so please, even if it comes up being the most outrageous plan possible. We can all go and have a laugh about it, but it's as far from humorous as possible. It would not be enough to just go where nature deems illogical.. no, you must create an unnatural environment at any cost to satisfy an absurd whim, of in all places, a country being totally torn apart by conflict. Overall it's fairly well acted, and produced (even though the plot just boils down to another dashed romance). In today's world, with all the extreme issues that need to be dealt with, it highlights just how far off course we've gone. When the concept of such a story represents 'entertainment'.. without thought to it's context and ultimate meaning, we are in serious trouble. Films about real life threatening consequences are so much needed.. this comes up well short of being one. Yea.. some would say hey it's just a rom-com.. it is, but one not sending a very promising message.
Michael Mahaney
This film has a certain "something" that makes it appealing to the viewer. Although hard to put a name on it. It is a slow-moving Romantic Comedy featuring two brilliant actors in the prime of their careers, and another one (Kristin Scott Thomas) who can still bring it! It begins mostly serious and dry, with Scott Thomas doing the bulk of the comedy. The viewer will probably find it difficult to follow whether the main theme revolves around fishing, Middle Eastern relations, or the subtle developing relationship between co-stars (Ewan) McGregor and (Emily) Blunt. If one is still following the story after forty-five minutes of watching the development of a back-story with boring details about U.K. governmental fisheries operations, then it will pay-off when it becomes possible to see the true development of the characters. Blunt practically makes you fall in love with her simply from a standpoint of sympathy due to an unexpectedly tragic loss of her military boyfriend, Capt. Robert Mayers (Tom Mison). While McGregor eventually loosens up and transforms from a Mr. Do-everything-right type, tight-lipped, standoffish, fish loving nerd. Into a fun, lovable, if-not heroic fish loving nerd. Much like the salmon who swim upstream, this film fights through the current of boredom and somehow emerges through the waters-edge to capture the interest of the viewer. Though not a special effects giant, the actors carry the story that carries the film, and entertains enough to almost make one want to dig through that closet to find those waders! Well, ...maybe not.
