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Mommy Bear's Parent Review of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Violence
A Muslim extremist attempts to assassinate a sheik who is friendly to Westerners and Christians, he pulls out a gun and shouts, but is thwarted.
Sexual Content
A man and woman kiss passionately against a wall and talk about going to bed together. They fall to the floor (out of frame) and the scene ends. A husband is shown on top of his wife at the very end of lovemaking; both are clothed and she is disinterested (the scene is meant to portray the dying state of her marriage). A man and woman lie in bed together; she asks if it’s alright if they don’t make love and the man agrees to just hold her. There’s a quick photo of female singers in sports bras and “hot pants.”
Language
There is one f-word and a handful of moderate profanities.
Story
A fishing expert (Ewan McGregor) and a consultant (Emily Blunt) team up to realize a sheik’s vision of bringing salmon fishing to the Middle East, despite political obstacles and the harsh desert climate. They gradually fall in love while learning valuable lessons about faith and intercultural friendship.
Pros and Cons
This light and breezy romantic dramedy is uplifting and charming, with marvelous performances by McGregor and Blunt, as well as Amr Waked as the sheik. The humor hits its mark, as do timeless messages about appreciating those who are different from us, working hard to accomplish our goals, and allowing love to blossom slowly over time. It has some adult content that isn’t arousing or gratuitous, but makes the film for adults and older teens (to whom the story is most likely to appeal anyway).
Discussion Points
Love based solely on passionate feelings is not as likely to last as love based on friendship, trust, and being able to work together. One must belief that something is possible if they are to achieve it. It is the simple things in life that can make the largest impact.
Written by Jonathan Decker
Studio Summary
Ewan McGregor (Beginners) and Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau) star alongside Oscar-nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (I've Loved You So Long) and Amr Waked (Syriana) in this extraordinary, beguiling tale of fly-fishing and political spinning, of unexpected heroism and late-blooming love and of an attempt to prove the impossible, possible. Directed by Oscar-nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat) and written by Oscar-winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire), this feature film is based on Paul Torday's acclaimed novel about a scientist who looks to fulfills a sheikh's dream of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to his homeland in Yemen. It is produced by Paul Webster (The Motorcycle Diaries) and executive produced by Jamie Laurenson, Stephen Garrett, Paula Jalfon, Zygi Kamasa and Guy Avshalom.
