Overview
It's been said this film is a predicatable, cliche, cheesy love story and yes it's true but somehow I couldn't help liking it despite myself.
It's main strength is the key players; Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas are all extremely likeable and reasonably well-developed characters who play their parts to perfection. What's more they're funny. On the whole I'd even go so far as to say they're genuinely funny, and that's certainly an achievement given the far-fetched script adapted from the book by Paul Torday.
Sharp as a tack press secretary to the PM Patricia Maxwell, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, is desperate to find a feel-good story to take attention away from the war in Afganistan. McGregor, who plays straight-laced scientist Dr Alfred Jones, is enlisted to lead a loopy scheme dreamed up by a charismatic sheikh and fishing enthusiast (Amr Waked) to bring salmon fishing to the Arabian Peninsula. All they need now is the fish and the water. As formula would have it, Jones is reluctant at first and gets off to a bad start with investment consultant Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Blunt). When issued with an ultimatum however, like a true English gent he gets on with the job. Catapulted out of his comfort zone and having swapped his suit and tie for pullovers and open-necked shirts, he soon starts to question his dull existence.
The chemistry and playful humour between him and Chetwode-Talbot is a pleasure to watch. But it's the sharp-witted press secretary who delivers some of the best lines of the film. Thankfully though, scenes of her micromanaging her family give the viewer just enough insight into her character to save her from pure stereotypical spin doctor status.
A fun film, a bit awkward at times sure but charming nonetheless.