The Intouchables: A Movie Review

June 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

movieThe Intouchables is about the handicapped — and is in French with sub-titles—a double whammy! Now that I have that out of the way, can I say I loved this movie? Would I have picked it had I known what I just told you? Probably not. Would I have missed out on an amazing, life affirming story? Absolutely.

Monotony. Sounds like a boring word but it claims a whole new meaning when it describes, not just a few hours but the rest of your life. That’s what French aristocrat, Philippe was facing. Philippe (Francois Cluzet) is a quadriplegic who used to be a daredevil. Now he is trapped in his own body, relegated to a wheelchair. Philippe has a houseful of staff but they all seem to fawn over him. In the beginning of the story he is interviewing for a care giver, someone with a strong back and strong hands. Everyone who comes to interview seem to have sterling resumes. When ex-con Driss (Omar Sy) shows up it is for one reason and one reason only: he needs to get a signature to prove he’s out looking for a job so he can draw his benefits. No sterling resume but there was something about him that told Philippe this one just might make a difference in his “hohum” existence.

The Intouchables is an irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility. This film depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.

This true story fascinated me. I have to admit that personally, I often don’t know how to act around the handicapped. It’s not that I don’t care for them but more than likely that I care too much. I don’t want to hurt or offend them. I suppose, in my ignorance, I just never had the courage or the honesty to ask the question: how would you like me to treat you?

In real life, Philippe Pozzo di Borgo is a descendant of two prominent French families and is the director of one of the most celebrated champagne houses. He was not in the habit of asking for help. Then in 1993, right on the heels of his wife being diagnosed with a terminal illness, a paragliding accident left him a quadriplegic. In a moment, he became the equivalent of an “Untouchable,” unable to reach out to others as others were afraid to reach out to him.

The only person who seemed unaffected by Philippe was someone who had been marginalized his entire life, Abdul the unemployed, uninhibited Algerian immigrant who would become his unlikely caretaker. In between dramas and jokes, he sustained Philippe’s life for the next 10 years. Philippe wrote a book about this period of time entitled, “Second Wind.” Philippe describes his friend, Abdul, as irreverent and cheeky, with an outrageous sense of humor; a sweet craziness.

This statement is depicted splendidly by directors and writers, Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. The Intouchables, a French box office hit, has taken home many awards in Europe. Go see The Intouchables! You’ll be glad you did, then email me at chastings@rockcliff.com

PS: This film is graphic, so it’s not for young children.

 

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Filed Under: ALIVE at the Movies, ARTS

American Graffiti: A Movie Review

May 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Has it really been 40 years? And that’s just since they made the movie! Needless to say, things have changed but those of us who were around in 1962 remember. Cruising. ‘Not going to college’ was not just an option, it was the norm. My own kids are hovering around the 40 mark and I remember telling them that not going to college was not an option. (A great bluff I actually got away with.)

But I do remember being a teenager in the 60’s when college was the distinct privilege of the rich or very smart. American Graffiti AmericanGraffititakes place on the last night of summer in 1962 in Modesto, California; farm country.  For those of us who were raised in the towns nearby, Modesto was the place to be—kind of the central hub of the central valley in central California.  Small town America! The difference being, Modesto was big enough to have a main street worthy of “cruising!”  It was the mecca of main streets. Hot cars and babes—guys who were brave enough (or stupid enough) to drag race for pink slips, and the girls who rode along with them.

American Graffiti is a movie about kids facing responsibility… but not tonight; tomorrow.  Kids that tomorrow would be sitting in a tractor seat on their family farm or standing behind a counter in the local drugstore. For some, for the rest of their lives.  American Graffiti is about kids out for a last night of fun before the adult responsibilities of life woke them up the next morning.

Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) and Steve (Ron Howard) are college bound, two of the few.  Flying out the next morning on a plane to their east coast college, both have questions and both are having last minute bouts of indecision.  So, they’re cruising with their friends, knowing how different their lives will be tomorrow. Somehow, everyone in the movie just knows life will never be the same.

Destined for greatness, American Graffiti stars such notables as Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and Cindy Williams.  Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, it was the brainchild of none other than a young George Lucas.

Do you remember the angst?  I do. I think as parents we have allowed our own kids to literally drag out the process of growing up. Many of us have our grown kids living with us, well, forever.  The government, in all their wisdom, have even legislated the right to keep our kids on our health insurance until they’re 26. Twenty six!  Many of us were married and had kids in grade school when we were twenty six.  In my humble opinion that is “enabling,” but then, I was raised in the age of American Graffiti!

Back to the movie before I get myself in trouble.  I truly enjoyed seeing this magical film again.  For just a couple of hours it was pure fun to go back in time to what often seems like a kinder, gentler time. If you’re young and seeing it for the first time, it’s a hoot! Try it, you’ll like it!

Big hair do’s and hip clothes await. ‘The’ box didn’t have it so you may have to rely on the mail or streaming but, do what it takes to travel back in time this month.  Would love to chat with you about old times at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, May 2013

ALIVE at the Movies: Home Run

March 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Home RunBaseball all-star Cory Brand knows what it takes to win in the big leagues. But off the field, with memories of his past haunting him, his life is spiraling out of control. Hoping to save her client’s career and reputation after a DUI and a team suspension, Cory’s agent sends him back to the small town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the only recovery program in town, Cory can’t wait to return to his old life as quickly as possible.

As his young players help him experience the joy of the game, Cory discovers his need to find freedom from his past and hope for his future … and win back the love he left behind. With this unexpected second chance Cory finds himself on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption.

Okay, I admit it—I didn’t write that, the PR people for the movie did. The reason I used it was that on this movie I wanted to make sure I get it right. As you know, I usually review movies that have hit the big screen (or sometimes not) and go fairly quickly to DVD. Many of these movies are incredible movies with small marketing budgets and other than word of mouth they don’t stand a chance at big box office numbers. Homerun will be in theaters April 19th and I think you should do yourself a big favor and be there on the first day it comes out. Homerun is a message movie. The message is — Hope!

I had the privilege of seeing a pre-screening of Home Run a month or so ago. It’s good! Really good. Cory Brand is played by the drop dead gorgeous (that’s me talking) Scott Elrod, most recently of Argo movie fame. Scott is joined by Dorian Brown and veteran, Vivica A. Fox.

Cory finds himself in a court ordered recovery program. At first he thinks he doesn’t need it. He sits in the meetings wondering what he’s doing there with “these” people; after all he’s a force to be reckoned with on the baseball diamond. In reality, his life is one big slippery slope. Now, I want to unabashedly put a plug in for the rehab program he finds himself in…Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery Ministry is a Christ-centered 12 Step Recovery Program that helps people address life’s hurts (Abuse, Abandonment, Codependency, Divorce, Relationship Issues, Grief, Distress, etc.) Habits (Alcohol, Drugs, Food Gambling, Sex, Shopping, Smoking, etc.) and Hang-ups (Anger, Depression, Fear, Unforgiveness, etc.). About now, if you are honest with yourself, you might just fall in to one of those categories.

Freedom is Possible! Best-selling author, Max Lucado summed it up, “Home Run reminds us of the power of forgiveness, the richness of redemption and the wisdom of trusting God to revive us.”

Just so you know, Home Run is not preachy. It’s about real people with real problems. It’s a movie based on thousands of true stories. I loved this movie and I think you will as well. In the words of Cory Brand, “Nothing great happens when you hold back.” So, check the theater schedules for the opening of Home Run on April 19th. Go alone, go with your family (PG13) or take someone with you. I’m sure you will enjoy it. As always, let me know what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com

 

 

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Filed Under: April 2013, Archives, Column

Hope Springs: A Movie Review

March 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment

0313-Movie-Rev-Hope-Springs
I’m not much of a Meryl Streep fan. Now, before you start sending me nastigrams, let me just mention that the first movie I ever saw of hers was Sophie’s Choice. Now I dare you to argue with me.

It always seemed to me that the movies she did were major downers. Once her career was secure she decided to do comedy. Wow! That went over big; can we say, “Mamma Mia.” In case you hadn’t noticed, that was a tongue-in-cheek comment.

Well, I can truly say that after Hope Springs, I am a Meryl Streep fan. I was always a Tommy Lee Jones fan, which is why I even watched Hope Springs, but this movie had me from the very beginning.

Kay and Arnold have been married, well, forever. When they had their adult kids over to celebrate their 31st anniversary, their daughter asks what they got each other. Kay hesitates and then says, “We got each other a cable subscription, (Meryl Streep pause) lots of channels.” We, the audience, are starting the get the picture. Separate bedrooms, perfunctory conversations, pecks on the cheek, lots of sports channels; these two people are just living in the same house.

Kay decides she wants more. She reads a book by renowned marriage therapist, Dr. Bernie Feld (Steve Carell) called, You Can Have the Marriage You Want and she wants more. She contacts the good doctor and books a week of intensive couple’s therapy. The only problem is she may be going alone. She pays for the therapy, buys the airline tickets to Great Hope Springs and tells Arnold that she wants him to join her. He holds out until the very last minute. The plane is ready to take off and he plops down next to her with his plane ticket between his teeth and says, “I hope you’re happy.” Not a great start!

The acting is wonderful in Hope Springs. It’s honest, frank and so very real. The pain of breathing life into a marriage that barely has a heartbeat is gut wrenching. Their amazing body language is so very funny that even though the subject of intimacy is no laughing matter, I found myself, at times, doubled over. At other times, I was unconsciously mirroring their actions; Kay buttoning and unbuttoning her sweater, Arnold crossing his legs away from her, turning his body.

Part of me wants to go on telling you about this delightful movie but I don’t want to spoil it for you. I do want to encourage you to rent it (I think I will buy it!). Why, because whether it’s now or 30 years from now, you’re probably going to find yourself in a variation of this situation. Intimacy is a hard thing to achieve but it is even more difficult to keep alive. Once in a while I see an older couple that just connect; they touch, they look at each other with not just love but a bit of desire. I’ll just repeat the words of the renowned Dr. Feld, “it’s not about being a sex object, it’s about pleasing the man you love and letting him please you.”

Hope Springs brings a lot of grown-up laughs and a thoughtful look at mature relationships. So, this is not a family movie. It is definitely a couple’s movie. I challenge you: fix a nice dinner and settle in for a night of fun and hopefully afterwards, conversation.

I am always open for comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, March 2013

Alive at the Movies – Dave

February 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

0213AliveMovie-Review1
I know, for any faithful readers you are going to think, “Hasn’t she done this one before?” The answer is yes but I thought, what the hay, it’s Valentine’s Day, so we need a need romance. It’s crunch time with our government budget (again) so we need a little common sense and with this economy, we need a little humor. So, here it is, all three wrapped up in one movie—Dave.

Dave was released in 1993. I loved it then and I loved it even more the second time around. With all the “stuff” hitting the proverbial fan right now, Dave Kovic would be a refreshing change.

Bill Mitchell is the philandering and out of touch President of the United States. Dave Kovic is a sweet-natured and caring Temp Agency owner, who by a staggering coincidence, looks exactly like the President. As such, when Mitchell wants to escape an official luncheon, the Secret Service hires Dave to stand in for him. Unfortunately, Mitchell suffers a severe stroke while having sex with a staffer and Dave finds himself stuck in the role indefinitely. Corrupt and manipulative Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) has Oval Office aspirations and conspires to sit in the big seat! He even creates lies about the Vice President (Ben Kingsley) to discredit him and leave the path clear. The First Lady (Sigourney Weaver) who had been barely tolerating her husband, the President, starts to see little differences in her husband. As Dave starts to get a feel for what being President should be, he starts having a few ideas of his own.

After Dave spends a day with the First Lady at a homeless shelter, Bob Alexander forges the President’s signature on a bill to cut the funding for the homeless shelter. The First Lady lashes out at Dave thinking that her husband had wielded the pen that slashed the much-needed program and Dave insists that the Chief of Staff makes it right. Alexander flippantly tells him that if he can figure out how to cut 650 million dollars out of the budget he can keep his “lousy shelter,” so Dave goes to work. He calls his accountant buddy, Murray Blum (Charles Grodin) to the White House to give him some advice. Murray says, “Who does these books? If I ran my business like this, I’d be out of business.” At the next Cabinet meeting, with some “simple changes in our cash management,” Dave gets it done and gets the shelters back.

If you haven’t figured out by now, Ellen Mitchell, the First Lady starts to see something in Dave that she hasn’t seen in her husband, the President, in a very long time and the relationship starts to build.

Dave is light and sweet and terribly thought provoking. In a speech of his own, he says, “This government’s responsibility is to find a job for every American who wants one. Getting a job when you so desperately need one makes you feel like you can fly!”

Is Dave Oscar material? No, but I’ve seen a lot worse take home the gold statue. Dave makes you think about what the government’s role is in our lives. Government is a tight rope — if it’s too big or too little, it fails. This little movie has a great cast and an incredible heart. I invite your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, February 2013

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

January 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

0113-Movie-Rev---Best-ExotiCome and spend your Autumn years in an Indian Palace.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the story of a small group of British retirees who answer the call. An eclectic band of strangers who decide to “outsource” their later years to a less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self, obviously the brochure pictures from an earlier time.

Marigold Hotelhas an interesting storyline but the coup de grais is the ensemble of Emmy and Golden Globe award winning actors and actresses. I could sprinkle them into this review but I prefer to divulge them all at once. Tom Wilkinson is Graham Dashwood, a recently retired judge with a secret. Judi Dench, the Grand Dame, is Evelyn Greenslade, a widow who has never had a job but whose previously successful husband died leaving her penniless and in debt. Maggie Smith is Muriel Donnely, a woman who spent her whole life “in service” to a family who has terminated her for a younger woman. Bill Nighy plays Douglas Ainslee, a man who has tolerated a shrew of a woman his whole married life and is now stuck with her in a foreign country because their daughter borrowed their retirement money for a new business and can’t pay it back. Madge Hardcastle, a mature single woman who is looking for a place she can still afford to live the life she so desperately clings to is played by Celia Imrie. Wow! Is that an amazing cast or what?

There is also a beautifully talented Indian cast led by Dev Patel who plays Sonny Kapoor, the endearing but inexperienced manager of the Marigold whose brothers are all successful when he has yet to find his place in life. The hotel was his dead father’s dream so he has taken it as his own. He wants to build a place so wonderful that the residents would refuse to die! When asked by Madge if everything was going to be alright, Sonny answers, “Everything will be all right in the end, so if it’s not alright, it is not yet the end”.

I truly enjoyed this film that expertly intertwines six vastly different people with six diverse stories. They are all forever transformed by the shared experience of a new environment, less luxurious than promised but majestically teeming with life and love. They find a place where they can begin again when they dare to let go of their pasts.

The message of not allowing your age to define you is front and center. Getting out of our comfort zones is less and less appealing as we grow older yet these new friends find a vibrant life waiting in a place and time they didn’t expect.

Welcome to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful. The talent is amazing. The scenery is spectacular (better than Eat, Pray Love in my opinion). The story is heartwarming, hope-giving and real. What’s not to like? Rent it or buy it (I plan to watch it again) but enjoy it with someone you can chat with about it afterwards. As always, I love your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, January 2013

So Many Movies, So Little December

December 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Everything about the holidays gives me joy and not the least of these is the plethora of Christmas movies. I’m a feel good movie junkie, so when the Hallmark holiday movies start in November, I’m just a happy camper. As far as I’m concerned many of these movies rival what’s in the theaters. My favorite happens to be one that’s been around for several years, A Season of Miracles. Every year they give us many new entries into the mix but the others are like “old friends”.

So, right about now you may be saying who is this woman? I guess I’m the same woman who recommends movies all year around but turns into a sentimental fool in December. Call me Pollyanna (I’ve probably been called worse) but I love the soft fuzzy choices that come to our DVD players and TV’s that we can curl up with in front of a warm fire and a bowl of popcorn and someone we care about.

I am thrilled to find that Cinemark is bringing back Classic Movies into their theaters. Their December offerings include one of my all-time favorites, A Christmas Story.  I think my grandkids may finally be old enough to spend a Wednesday evening with me seeing it on the big screen (and they make the popcorn!). They are also offering The Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone and of course everyone’s favorite, It’s A Wonderful Life. This would be a great family outing!

Then you have the crazies like Elf, Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause, Scrooged and Shrek the Halls. Jack Frost will be new (again) this year in theaters. Babes in Toyland is a classic and no Christmas would be complete without at least one viewing of a Muppet or a Chipmunk!

Last year they actually brought Polar Express back to the big screen. Hopefully, they will do that again but if they don’t be sure to rent it. It’s amazing!

My favorite Christmas “oldie” is White Christmas. After I watch this movie I go around singing “Sisters, Sisters” for days. This film starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney literally epitomizes the kinder gentler times that exemplify Christmas.

I love How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s story of acceptance and love for others tied up with a big red bow has a message for young and old alike. Best contemporary love story of the season goes to The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. This provides great cuddle up entertainment.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to encourage you to watch The Nativity Story (2006). Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. As much as we sometimes get lost in the Santa Claus vantage point of the holiday, Christ is the reason for the season. The Nativity Story is a beautiful telling of everything Christmas. Watch it with your kids, your friends or by yourself but watch it. It will give a whole new meaning to the holiday so you can say, like me…I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, December 2012

October Baby

November 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This is one serious movie; serious subject, serious story. I probably should have checked some stats but I just didn’t want to be that bogged down in the minutiae.

The opening scene of October Baby is Hannah Lawson (Rachel Hendrix) ready for her college theatrical debut. Her first college play. The curtains open and she is alone on stage. Her leading man enters the scene. She starts her lines and collapses. The movie fast forwards to her in the hospital. Her father (John Schneider) is consulting with a colleague…doctors. After a lot of testing, they tell Hannah that the medical issues that have plagued her throughout her whole life are all part of the same issue. Hannah is adopted and her parents never told her. There is more to the story and her parents finally tell her that not only is she adopted but that her medical issues are due to her birth. Twenty four weeks early and an abortion survivor, the story that was too hard to tell is now being revealed.

Hannah has been haunted her whole life by a feeling of not being wanted. Her parents love her; adore her, so exactly where were these feelings coming from? As the story falls into place her adopted mother breaks down and gives her birth certificate to her. She was born in Mobile, Alabama.

Hannah’s best friend since childhood, Jason (Jason Burkey) finds a way to help Hannah get to Mobile to help her find her birth mother or at least some answers to her many questions. The Spring Break Road Trip ends up being a bunch of college kids in a vintage VW bus on their way to New Orleans with the route through Mobile. With the help of some kind folks along the way, Hannah finds the nurse at the hospital. The nurse leads her to her birth mother. The story has many twists and turns. An angry Dad, a sorrowful Mom, a birth Mom in denial and a friend who stands by her through the whole episode makes for an interesting plot.

I have some observations (don’t I usually?). I know many women who have had abortions. Some have told me early in our friendship, some stay in denial for years. I probably have a few friends that will go to their grave with their secret. One thing I have figured out is that the pain of regret is always there. If you have read my reviews for very long, you have probably figured out that I’m conservative. Do I believe in abortion? No. Do I condemn the women who do? No. Actually, my heart goes out to them because that decision had to have been one of the hardest decisions of their lives and if it wasn’t, that alone is probably haunting.

October Baby is about forgiveness. It’s not preachy and it doesn’t condemn. There’s a line in the movie that says “to be human is to be beautifully flawed” and I think that just about sums it up. I want to let both women and men who may be carrying around unresolved issues that there is help, there is hope. There are many resources. You might want to start with EveryLifeIsBeautiful.com. Choose to Heal. Choose to Love. Choose Life.

October Baby is well done and especially thought provoking. As always I look forward to your thoughts and comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, November 2012

My Week with Marilyn

October 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

My Week With MarilynI am not usually drawn to dysfunctional people. I was 10 years old when this account of Marilyn Monroe’s life was playing out and to tell you the truth I was much more enamored with Elvis Presley. Both Marilyn and Elvis enjoyed or hated their lives depending on who you’re asking.

Having recently graduated from Oxford, Colin Clark sets out to make his way in the Film Industry. After much persistence, he is given the position of 3rd Assistant to the Director on a Marilyn Monroe film originally called The Sleeping Prince (later The Prince and the Showgirl). He basically follows the director around and does his bidding. The awestruck Colin finds himself so drawn to Marilyn that he becomes her self-appointed protector.

Sir Laurence Olivier, played by the marvelous Kenneth Branagh, is the Director of the film and also the lead actor. Larry is intrigued by Marilyn but finds her extremely difficult to work with. There is some eluding to her drinking and drug habits but for the most part her unpredictability is chalked up to stardom. Judi Dench is wonderful as Dame Sybil Thorndike who seems to always be trying to ease the tension on the set.

As the title implies, Colin (Eddie Redmayne) and Marilyn (Michelle Wiliams) become fast friends and even more for a time. Marilyn is married to playwright, Arthur Miller (Dougrary Scott), but during this week they argue, separate and he goes home, leaving Marilyn with a void in her life. Colin fills that for her.

As I said, dysfunctional doesn’t really work for me, but in this case I look at her life and wonder if she’s dealing with a full deck. I ‘get’ that she has abandonment issues. When Colin asks her about the pictures by her bed she tells him, “That’s my Mommy. She bought me a white piano right before they took her away to the insane asylum.” The other picture was of Abraham Lincoln and she says she never knew her father so Lincoln was as good as anyone.

It may sound like I didn’t like My Week with Marilyn. I actually liked it very much for plethora of reasons. The acting was credible, the scenery enchanting, the characters complex. Simon Curtis did a brilliant job as Director. I even think it was cast well.

I’m still trying to figure out if Marilyn Monroe was delusional, drugged or just plain spoiled. She used people and discarded them. She complained about her life but wouldn’t change it. When Colin asked her to give it all up, be with him and be happy she replied, “I am happy.” Did she have the strength to change or was she so addicted to the worship because of her abandonment issues that she just didn’t want to change her life? We will never really know. What My Week with Marilyn does shows us is glimpse into the private life of the breathtaking Marilyn. Who was the real Marilyn Monroe? Free-spirit? Child? Or the sex-kitten that came out at Oxford when she says to Colin, “Shall I be her?”

Sir Laurence summed up her acting by saying, “She had no training, no craft, just pure instinct and she remained brilliant in spite of me.” I highly recommend you rent or buy My Week with Marilyn and let me know what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com.

 

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, October 2012

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

September 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is billed as an inspirational comedy, probably by the Brits. Actually, it’s more of a “when hell freezes over” movie. Dr. Alfred “Fred” Jones is Britain’s leading fishing authority. o some, that may a dubious honor but to fishing enthusiasts, our Asperger’s Syndrome leading man is right up there next to God. Fred’s problem? No faith. But let’s step back a moment. Fred (Ewan McGregor) leads a pretty boring life. He has a ho-hum marriage and a job with a government-style office. One day he gets an email from Harriet Chetwode-Talbot who represents a wealthy sheik with a novel idea—strike that—a passion. Our visionary Sheik has a passion for salmon fishing and believes his passion can enrich the lives of his people. He dreams of bringing salmon fishing to the not so fish-friendly desert of Yemen.

The sheik enlists Harriet (Emily Blunt) to bring water and fish to his desert. Willing to spare no expense, Harriet is dispatched to turn the dream into a reality—no small task! Knowing nothing about fish or fishing, she turns to Fred. I think this is where the ‘when hell freezes over’ comes in. Fred thinks the project both absurd and unachievable and flatly declines to help.

About the same time, Patricia Maxwell (Kristen Scott Thomas), the Prime Minister’s overzealous Press Secretary, is taking a beating from the voting public over all the disturbing news from Afghanistan and is looking for a ‘good will’ story, fast. When someone suggests the story about the sheik’s idea, she latches on to it with all the power her office can muster. Now, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.

Now, if you think I’ve spoiled the movie with too much info, you’re wrong. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is directed by one of Sweden’s most renowned directors, Lasse Hallstrom. Lasse has way too many fine movies on his resume to name but Chocolat, Cider House Rules and Something to Talk About are some of my favorites. Simon Beafoy is the screenwriter and his many credits include, Slumdog Millionaire and Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire. The cinematography is stunning and creative; I especially liked the scene when Fred is returning from his meeting with Harriet. The camera angle is from above and he appears to be swimming upstream against the flow of pedestrians.

There are references to faith. When the sheik asks Fred if he has faith he answers, “no.”  When the Sheik responds that he must have faith, Fred says when things get tricky in his life he “talks to his fish.”  Egyptian actor, Amr Waked, plays the sheik. He has the presence of Omar Shariff with even more mesmerizing good looks. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is an interesting journey, from private jets to tents in the desert. It is exceptionally well done and visually impactful. Of course, there is a little bit of complexity in the relationship department but nothing too unpredictable. I would love to hear your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

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Filed Under: Archives, Column, September 2012
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