Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) is a British romantic comedy-drama you can watch online on iFILM, directed by Lasse Hallström and led by Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. The premise reads like a punchline: introduce sport fly-fishing to the deserts of Yemen.

Buttoned-up fisheries scientist Alfred Jones is certain the scheme is impossible. A wealthy sheikh has the money, though, and his persuasive representative Harriet won't take no for an answer. When the prime minister's spin doctor seizes on the idea as a feel-good story to offset bad news from Iraq, the absurd suddenly becomes government policy. Slowly, against the wishes of both, something warms between Alfred and Harriet, each tangled in a complicated private life. Kristin Scott Thomas walks off with every scene as the acid-tongued press chief.

Adapted by Simon Beaufoy of Slumdog Millionaire from Paul Torday's novel, the humor is dry and unmistakably English, never pushed. The film picked up three Golden Globe nominations. It's gentle, unhurried counter-programming for anyone tired of loud blockbusters. Stream Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) online on iFILM.