Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

In “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,” Harriet (Emily Blunt) represents a sheik who wishes to bring the sport of salmon fishing to the people of Yemen. Harriet contacts Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), who is a fisheries expert. He instantly dismisses the idea. Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) is the press secretary for the British Prime Minister. After televised coverage of a military operation takes out a mosque, the press secretary seeks out a feel good story from the Middle East. She gets hold of the salmon fishing story and does her part to push the project along, and therefore Dr. Jones is given the option by his boss, take the job or be fired. The story continues with Alfred begrudgingly meeting Harriet to discuss how to bring about this major undertaking. Alfred does what he can to discourage the idea, but Harriet pleasantly meets every unlikely request he makes.

Alfred seems intelligent yet awkward in the film, whereas Harriet is kind and self assured. As their working relationship progresses, Alfred seems to come into his own and gains confidence. Harriet has a new beau, who has to leave for a military operation. Alfred is married to a woman who travels quite a bit for her own job. She is a no nonsense woman who is never seen smiling or laughing. As the story progresses, Harriet and Alfred develop a friendship, which has the underlying tension of being a romantic interest. Since both already have a significant other, nothing can be done with their growing attraction.

Sheik Muhammad (Amr Waked) makes numerous references to faith in the film. At one point, he asks Albert if he believes in God and compares it to fishing, saying as a result of Alfred’s hours of waiting he is rewarded for his faith and constancy. He also says, at another point, “I intended to create a small miracle. Something to glorify God and bring our tribes together. Sometimes I wonder if we haven’t created something that glorifies man. It is a very fine line.”

While the faith of Yemen is predominately Islamic, the quotes from the sheik in the film can apply to the Christian life. Oftentimes, we do something that we say is for God’s purposes or to glorify Him, but we can cross that fine line and have our hearts in the wrong place and do it for our own glory. We can be like the Pharisees in the Bible and boast, whereas it says in Luke 18:14 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I don’t want to give any spoilers. Otherwise, what is the fun of viewing the movie, if you know each twist and turn. That said, you may want to avoid this next paragraph, lest I spoil the ending, although I think most viewers would see where the story is going. I find it sad that a happy ending to a movie comes about through a break up of a marriage. The bonds of marriage are taken too lightly in many an instance. Living together before marriage, sex before marriage, alternative lifestyles, infidelity and divorce are seen as no big deal. If your marriage isn’t working out, a divorce is the answer, seems to be Hollywood’s message. Genesis 2:24 tells us “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Marriage is not easy. It’s not always fun or pretty, and there will be many a hurdle. But I believe we are called to work hard at our marriages, not take the easy way out. Exhaust all possibilities, when your marriage is struggling. Work to keep it healthy. So when I saw this film, I was put off that it was so easy to just walk away from a marriage, no counseling, no attempts to talk about what is driving the couple apart.

I read a comment elsewhere for an upcoming movie where a woman said “Hollywood pushes an agenda, at first subtle, followed by mainstreaming. Whether it’s …divorces being normal….” And this individual was correct. Divorce is now normal, even in Christian circles. Whereas I don’t seek to condemn anyone who has had a divorce, what bothers me is how it is so mainstream, and it becomes a means to an end in this film. In order to have the happy ending, another marriage must end.

Objectionable Content: Although there is no nudity in this film, there are implied sexual relations. One involves a bedroom scene with moaning noises. Another has Harriet and her boyfriend shown in bed. In yet another, Alfred goes to comfort Harriet, and the next scene is morning. He is awake on her bed; she is sleeping. There is no implication that anything happened beyond him being there as support. It does raise the question of him having an interest in Harriet.

Foul and derogatory language, including British terms: as* (5), bast**d (2), God’s name in vain (8), b*tches (1), f**king (2), Jesus (2), Christ (1), bloody (12), hell (5), arse (1), “Nancy” (an effeminate or homosexual man) (1), wanker (1).

This was a charming movie, and the opposite personalities of Harriet and Alfred make them interesting characters I enjoyed watching. The humor is quick witted and mostly related to Alfred’s disposition. Other than the frequent use of bad language, it is an enjoyable movie and a pleasant alternative to this summer’s action movies.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Minor

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