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How entertaining? ★★☆☆☆
Thought provoking? ★☆☆☆☆ 9 April 2012
This a movie review of SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN. |
“I can’t help imagining that this crazy enterprise might just come off,” Dr. Alfred Jones.
Paul Torday’s novel wasn’t perfect. I was thoroughly enjoying it, and actually admiring many of the sentiments, until I felt the ending derailed all the author’s good work. It was too bleak. The film alters the climax and denouement to my greater satisfaction, but ruins the rest of the story – watering down the big ideas of dreams, purpose and faith. The satire on New Labour and observation on office politics are largely excised also. SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN joins HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE and THE HUNGER GAMES as examples of cinematic adaptations that eschew the interesting ideas of the source work, and instead decide to focus on, enlarge and sentimentalise the romantic thread.
Paul Torday’s novel wasn’t perfect. I was thoroughly enjoying it, and actually admiring many of the sentiments, until I felt the ending derailed all the author’s good work. It was too bleak. The film alters the climax and denouement to my greater satisfaction, but ruins the rest of the story – watering down the big ideas of dreams, purpose and faith. The satire on New Labour and observation on office politics are largely excised also. SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN joins HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE and THE HUNGER GAMES as examples of cinematic adaptations that eschew the interesting ideas of the source work, and instead decide to focus on, enlarge and sentimentalise the romantic thread.
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SALMON essentially has become a handsomely mounted (what else do you expect from director Lasse Hallström - THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?) rom-com. I feel cheated, as I do with THE HUNGER GAMES and HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS. By the way, the beefing up of a love story in the wider scheme can work, if used sparingly, see THE LORD OF THE RINGS with the Aragorn-Arwen subplot.
The title succinctly gives an overview of the story. A wealthy, visionary Sheikh wants to bring the sport/recreation to his country. Not properly elaborated on in the film, the reason goes beyond his love for fishing; it is to do with the harmonising effect he believes it will have. The movie makes the plan seem frivolous, whereas the novel doesn’t. The Sheikh is a fascinating character on the page, though on the screen he is given little to do. He has hired a consultancy to oversee the project, led by Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily Blunt), who in turn looks to engage the services of the foremost civil service fisheries scientist, Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor). The British government spies an opportunity for some positive publicity, with the Prime Minister’s spin-doctor Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) muscling in on proceedings.
The enjoyment gained from watching SALMON comes purely from the clever casting of the one-two-three punch of such likeable and charismatic UK performers: McGregor, Blunt and Thomas. They paper over the creaking narrative, though are unable to save a flawed conceit – that the focus should be on the burgeoning (and poorly handled) romance between Alfred and Harriet. A wasted opportunity to make something special.
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