MOVIE REVIEW - Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

One of the really fun thing about going to the movies is when you see a well told story that you have not seen in any way before. That's the new Indy Piece, Salmon Fishing In The Yemen.

This is a remarkable new movie that stars Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. It's the story of Fred (McGregor) and Harriet (Blunt). Fred works for the British government in the Fisheries Department. Harriet works for a public relations firm that represents an incredibly rich Middle Eastern Sheik. The forward thinking Sheik has the eccentric dream of bringing river fishing to his native Yemen. He is a huge fishing enthusiast, and enlists the help of our two characters, and about 100 million of his own dollars to make it happen.

There are huge pitfalls along the way. Because of the climate can it be done? Is there the will from his own nation to want it to happen? And of course, there are many factions within his own culture that don't want this "westernization" of the Yemen. Then you toss in the tension between Harriet and Fred.

Fred is extremely boring, and reserved. He is in a loveless marriage that seems to be winding down. It's clear he needs someone new in this life. Harriet is young woman who also can envision someone new in her life. They are polar opposites at first, but they learn to grow together. Are they right for each other?

McGregor chooses his projects so well, it's hard not to be a fan. He is terrific here, and perfectly cast as the beaten down Fred. It's also hard to explain how great Blunt is in this movie. She is so versatile and is really coming on as one of the really wonderful actresses in Hollywood. I am becoming a huge fan very quickly. The basically unknown supporting cast is good, led by Kristin Scott Thomas who plays a higher up in the British government who is pulling many of the strings in our story.

This movie tells a captivating story that is seemingly far fetched, and it is. But this is so skillfully done it seems believable, and attainable. The plot draws you in, develops the characters well, and makes you care about them and what they are doing.

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen. In limited release. If you love the movies, find it... go to it... and enjoy it. One of the best movies of this year so far, if not the best.