Film Review: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Impressive and attention catching title.
Equally impressive and entertaining film.
The basis is, as the title suggests, bringing salmon fishing to the dry and arid region of Yemen. Its a seemingly crazy idea, but as the film progresses and takes hold in your imagination, so does the idea. And into reality.
Not just in the Sheik's, played by Amr Waked or in Harriet's played by Emily Blunt. It spreads to sceptic fish expert Dr Alfred Jones, played by Ewan McGregor. And then harsh, demanding and slightly overzealous PR for the government Mrs Patricia Maxwell, played slightly over the top by Kristin Scott Thomas. Her role brings a touch of spice to this comedy with romantic undertones.
This film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, a man who might be called famous for directing many similar films that focus on a miracle or an idea based on faith and maybe a smidgeon of science or simply a way of life that simply needs protecting. He's done well here also, as has the screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy, who has won an Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire and nominated for The Full Monty and 127 Hours. So, he too, is on familiar ground and both men do excellent on this film.
The scenes are short and to the point, and there are no in between scenes. The film moves at a brisk pace and with all the witty one liners, it is as though you are watching a play.
A quite enjoyable film, which was made all the more pleasant by the score, written by one of my favourite composers, Dario Marianelli. A true genius and takes this film to a whole other level.
Equally impressive and entertaining film.
The basis is, as the title suggests, bringing salmon fishing to the dry and arid region of Yemen. Its a seemingly crazy idea, but as the film progresses and takes hold in your imagination, so does the idea. And into reality.
Not just in the Sheik's, played by Amr Waked or in Harriet's played by Emily Blunt. It spreads to sceptic fish expert Dr Alfred Jones, played by Ewan McGregor. And then harsh, demanding and slightly overzealous PR for the government Mrs Patricia Maxwell, played slightly over the top by Kristin Scott Thomas. Her role brings a touch of spice to this comedy with romantic undertones.
This film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, a man who might be called famous for directing many similar films that focus on a miracle or an idea based on faith and maybe a smidgeon of science or simply a way of life that simply needs protecting. He's done well here also, as has the screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy, who has won an Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire and nominated for The Full Monty and 127 Hours. So, he too, is on familiar ground and both men do excellent on this film.
The scenes are short and to the point, and there are no in between scenes. The film moves at a brisk pace and with all the witty one liners, it is as though you are watching a play.
A quite enjoyable film, which was made all the more pleasant by the score, written by one of my favourite composers, Dario Marianelli. A true genius and takes this film to a whole other level.
This quote comes from another film with miracle like undertones and the fact that everything will work out perfectly. Strangely enough, the film its from, is also based on a book.
ReplyDelete"Uncle Henry Skinner: You'll come to see that a man learns nothing from winning. The act of losing, however, can elicit great wisdom. Not least of which is, uh... how much more enjoyable it is to win. It's inevitable to lose now and again. The trick is not to make a habit of it."