Film reviews – by Adam Vaughan
Film’s this week:
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (12A)
Rating key – ◊ Total turkey | ♥ Drooping hotdog | ♥♥ Pick n Mix | ♥♥♥ Bit of fizz | ♥♥♥♥ Popcorn-tastic | ♥♥♥♥♥ Not to be missed
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (12A) ♥♥
In this Brit romcom, Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt go to the Middle East to catch fish and, eventually, each other’s heart. But what could have been catch of the day ends up as a soggy mess.
For starters, the title isn’t exactly brimming with originality. But at least it does what it says on the tin. McGregor plays stuffy doctor Alfred Jones who works in the government’s fisheries department. He is in a loveless marriage and is desperate to break out of his mundane job, even if his gut tells him otherwise.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
His opportunity comes when he receives an email from Harriet Chetwin-Talbot (Emily Blunt) who represents Sheikh Muhammed (Amr Waked). A keen fly fisherman, the Sheikh wishes to introduce salmon in the Yemen so he can engage in his favourite hobby at home and develop an agricultural launch pad for his people.
Alfred initially dismisses the idea saying it’s ludicrous (which it really is) and will never work considering the differences in climate. However, as he and Harriet spend more time together, Alfred begins to come around to the idea and they gradually begin to fall for one another.
However, after their initial awkwardly funny exchanges and once the action moves to Yemen permanently, there’s a shift in tone. The Sheikh’s activities anger a section of his people who resort to terrorism to stop the Westernisation of their land. But the mood shift doesn’t pay off. Along with the introduction of a sub plot involving Harriet’s boyfriend, a soldier who is called to fight in Afghanistan (the movie giving him a rough deal in the process), it seems as if there are three films going on simultaneously. Director Lasse Hallstrom can’t seem to decide if he wants his adaptation of Paul Torday’s novel to be ridiculous farce, sweeping romance or political thriller.
It’s a shame as McGregor and Blunt are both likeable screen presences. And they’re ably supported by the ever-reliable Kristin Scott Thomas who plays acid-tongued press secretary to the PM, Patricia Maxwell. Simon Beaufoy’s script gives her all the best lines. She’s a cynical creation, seizing on the salmon fishing story to create the illusion of British and Muslim solidarity and the kind of woman The Thick of It‘s Malcolm Tucker would go for.
Lockout (15) ♥♥
The pre-credits for science fiction actioner, Lockout boast that it is based on ‘an original idea’ by Luc Besson. Presumably the French filmmaker has never seen Escape from New York then.
The plot similarities between this and John Carpenter’s 1981 film are clear. Rugged, bicepped action hero (Guy Pearce), in an attempt to clear his name, must save the President’s daughter (Maggie Grace) who is trapped inside a futuristic prison which houses Earth’s most dangerous and psychotic criminals. Besson’s innovation, however, is to situate his nuthouse in space.
Lockout
It’s a novel enough contrivance. The inmates have all been put into stasis so that violence is kept to a minimum. However, when awoken, psychosis can set in. This reminded me of the last third of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins when the Dark Knight, hallucinating from Scarecrow’s nightmare drug, must battle through Arkham’s inmates to save Rachel Dawes. However, whereas that was dark and unsettling, Lockout is ironically more comic-book.
Light-weight and passing in a manic blur, Lockout’s slight novelty soon wears off. Guy Pearce is good though, delivering offhand quips while recklessly saving the day. But I’d advise waiting for the DVD, if you must see it at all.