NEW REVIEW: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

All year long I was just waiting for a movie to love. I was hankering for that film which was not necessarily the most riveting, the most astute, or the most affecting---just the most lovable.  For me, Midnight in Paris was certainly along those lines. It was lovely and transporting; it put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Still, it was just a hair short of being "that film".  Remember Little Miss Sunshine? Slumdog Millionaire? Sure, film academics can complain about trite, predictable, happy little movies. F-them. Two hours of  joy, love, and humor to lift us out of our tedious lives is a gift.

Obviously, I loved Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. It is absolutely adorable. Yes, the story is simple, predictable---a bit uninspired, I am sure some will say. BUT, it's also positively lovely all the way 'round.

Ewan McGregor is at his most attractive. He's handsome in a regular-guy sort of way and he gives a genuinely terrific performance. His comic delivery is spot-on in all spots. Emily Blunt is delightful. She has some touching scenes which really tugged at my heartstrings.

The rest of the cast is also wonderful. Kristin Scott Thomas is a kick-in-the-pants. Amr Waked, who plays the sheikh, had the older ladies sitting behind us practically swooning! Others in supporting roles were also quite funny.

You know how I enjoy traveling in movies. Well, my sister and I were in full-on vacation-movie mode. We were smiling and laughing and oooohing and ahhhhing. And then, all of sudden, a very intense scene comes along and we are thrust to the edge of our seats. Oh, no! What will become of us? (Because, of course, my sister and I are sitting right there in Yemen with them).  BAM.

Fifteen minutes before the end of the film, the projector bulb dies. There we are---still on the edge of our seats; hung out on a line like refugee's from a broken dryer.

Well, they did give us free passes to come back. But, it's a bit sad because you build up a certain connection with the characters and you definitely need that emotional momentum to experience full movie-satisfaction. However, even with all that, I still give this one two big thumbs up.

(Sorry, Roger Ebert, for borrowing your thumbs)