Billed as a "romantic comedy" but really I think is more of a "romantic drama," "Salmon Fishing" is a beautiful little film that has romance but also faith and friendship. The story opens with Harriet (Emily Blunt) contacting a government fisheries expert Fred (Ewan McGregor) to enlist his help with a project one of her clients wishes to undertake - he is a wealthy Yemeni sheik and wishes to bring his beloved salmon fishing to his homeland. Fred is immediately dissmissive of the project but is forced to participate when the Prime Minister's press secretary Patricia (Kristin Scott-Thomas) wants to promote the project as a feel-good Anglo-Yemeni photo op. Fred meets with the sheik and gradually becomes a believer in the project. Meanwhile, as they become friends both Harriet and Fred have relationship issues - Fred realizes that he is not happy with his career-driven wife and Harriet's new soldier boyfriend is deployed and goes missing in action.
I felt this film was much more than what I expected. It's really not a "romantic comedy" and actually "comedy" doesn't fit so much. I'd say "drama" fits better and though there is romance it's more of a friendship romance than a red-hot love affair. The acting is spot-on with McGregor expertly portraying Fred's bookish resistance and even his touch of Asperger's syndrome, which causes his character to have trouble relating to others. Blunt is good but the real scene-stealer is Scott-Thomas, who shines in her small role and provides some laughs. While the storyline is a bit predictable, there's quality here and a good bit of depth for the characters. I loved the theme of what is faith and how do we have it even when we don't think we do. Also I really liked the scenery as the film is beautifully shot in Scotland and Morocco.
Pass on this one if you're looking for a romantic comedy because that's just not what this film is. Rent this one if you are looking for drama with some heart and depth. B-
Lovely movie. Enjoyed it immensely.
ReplyDelete