Signis

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

(GIF)

UK, 2011, Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas, Amr Waked. Directed by Lasse Halstrom.

Incongruous might be one word to react to the title of this entertaining film for older audiences. Just the right thing for a bus excursion to the local cinema.

But, it is also much more than that. Billed as a comedy, it is in the vein of old-style British comedy, not American, with an emphasis on character, dialogue and wit and an enjoyment of poking fun at authorities, government machinations and pomposity. But, it also has an underlying theme of respect for humanity, for differences and for mutual collaboration rather than mere opportunism.

Not only does the title seem incongruous, but the idea contained in it might seem ludicrous. And, that is what the central character thinks when he is approached about working on it. He is Alfred Jones, a scientist and civil servant, not blessed with a sense of humour, single-mindedly devoted to his area of fish and fishing, an amateur when it comes to emotions and feelings. He is played by Ewan McGregor with just the right touches of niceness and the ability to irritate.

A Yemeni sheik (Egyptian actor Amr Waked in a sympathetic performance) wants to import salmon into the Yemen, not just for his own pleasure (he is a devoted fly fisherman with a castle in Scotland as well) but for the possible development of agriculture and industry in his country. He is referred to as a visionary and has set up a dam and the means for salmon spawning. He is offering 50 million pounds to the UK for his scheme. (Do Yemeni sheiks have so much money?). His investment advisor is a sensible young Englishwoman, Harriet (plus a double-barrelled surname) played by Emily Blunt.

Alfred and Harriet are something of an odd couple, she convinced that the project is worthwhile and patient with and tolerant of Alfred’s rejection of the plan.

But, of course, you know that they are going to pursue the project and that we are going to be caught up in their growing enthusiasm, charmed by the Sheikh and his pointing out to the scientist who holds no brief for faith just how much we do act on faith in our lives), that we will be interested in the trips to the Yemen (Morocco locations standing in as usual), and that we hope it will be a success.

It does not all proceed as hoped for. There are fundamentalist terrorists who see the Sheikh as destroying traditions. There are bureaucratic difficulties and a revolt of British salmon fishers who refuse to let the objects of their sport migrate beyond their shores. And there is the British government. Which is where Kristin Scott Thomas comes in. She is the Prime Minister’s press officer, a wheeler-dealer with a capacity for spin that real spin doctors might envy. She has a way with words and invective as well as seizing every moment and exploiting it that would not be out of place in the series and film, In the Loop. She has done variations on this performance many times but is given so many good lines that she often steals the show - even in talking to her young children.

There is a romantic sub-plot. Harriet is in a relationship with a soldier sent to Afghanistan. Alfred takes his wife, who is a respected consultant, for granted without realising it. Again, this does not quite proceed as audiences might think, so there are elements of surprise towards the end.

The film looks good and has been directed by Swedish Lasse Halstrom who has had a twenty year career in Hollywood with such films as Cider House Rules, Chocolat and The Shipping News.

Peter Malone