In Salmon Fishing, curmudgeonly fishing expert Fred (Ewan McGregor) is tasked by charming consultant Harriet (Emily Blunt) to take on what appears, at first, to be a ridiculous task: bring salmon fishing to Yemen. Fred is naturally incredulous, but his protestations are quickly drowned out when the entire affair becomes a PR bonanza for the British government and Harriet’s client, Sheikh Muhammed, deposists $40 million into an account for the project. The film quickly becomes not about the process of transporting salmon to Yemen, but about the faith it will take to believe that it is possible.

With its challenge to believe in the impossible and hope in the unattainable, the story is not only a metaphor for the act of filmmaking, but also for life itself. The best, most joyous things in life often come from pursuing absurd yet beautiful goals. It’s a lovely film that makes you want to leave the theater and tackle some foolish personal mission, whether its to lose 30 pounds or write a novel or ask that enigmatic girl out that you know you have absolutely no shot with. It asks you to have faith in the impossible and tells you that doing so is not stupid, but wonderful. Magical, even.    

~ Evan Derrick