Directed by Lars Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Cider House Rules) Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a light weight and mildly comedic romance that centers on the absurd premise of creating a salmon fishing spot in the Yemen. This predictable, but pleasant, film stars Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt as the film’s inherent love interest. For the most part the acting in Yemen appears solid, and includes the interesting casting of Kristen Scott Thomas as the comedic cameo; a slightly forced foray into new territory perhaps but nonetheless handles her role well. The film is set up well with good character development, and the cinematography is pretty to watch. I was genuinely interested in Alfred (McGregor) and Harriet’s (Blunt) lives for the first half of the film. Unfortunately it is let down when it succumbs the whims of your bog-standard romantic chick flick. Inconsistent character motivations and dubious screen writing has the film swiftly wrapped up, and you’re sent packing thinking what the hell just happened. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is full of obvious metaphors and a general dumbing down as the film progresses. This film could’ve been so much more, instead we are left with mildly entertaining film that promises more than it delivers.