THE PLOT THUS FAR
A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik’s vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” focuses on the relationship between enthusiastic fisheries expert Dr. Albert Jones and his colleague Harriet who ropes him into the seemingly impossible project of introducing the sport of salmon fishing to the very arid desert regions of the Yemen, on the request of a very optimistic Sheik. Harriet is convinced that their immense undertaking will eventually be successful, but Albert insists that he is too scientific to believe that such a thing is practically possible. It takes quite a while for the pair to get along, given his rather standoffish nature, leading to Harriet making a frustrated comparison between him and those with Asperger’s. Although he is a far cry away from having that condition, he is certainly puzzled by Harriet’s frequent offers of friendship. He also with comforting her after her dashing boyfriend Robert, the main entity keeping the relationship a tame platonic friendship, is sent off to fight in Afghanistan.
Most of the film circled around the friendship and relations formed between the trio of Dr Jones, Harriet and the Sheikh, developing bonds that wouldn’t have existed if not for this 50 million pounds project. It’s not as if it is about those with plenty of oil money and finding themselves not knowing what to do with it, but about the spreading of far larger ideals that go into community bonding. And the romantic tale almost felt like an after thought into the second half, finding it irresistible not to have now fellow colleagues fall in love because it’s a waste of good looking talent not to. There isn’t any threat in the film to put things in a spin other than the battle against nature and elements that get systematically addressed, and extremists who don’t get air time lest this film gets spun into a war on terror story, aside from an assassination and sabotage attempt.
The Blu-Ray comes with featurettes and trailers. The 1080p transfer is damn near reference quality, as this film has become one of the opening Blu-Rays to get tested on the brand-new AndersonVision Theater. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio is strong, but it never gets many chances to shine. Still, the film is dynamic and it sports a story that plays small in a summer of giant action. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: 07/17/2012
