"Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," the inspirational comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, is the next featured film at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. It will be screened on Saturday, July 7, at 8 p.m. and Tuesday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Opera House Cinema Series.
In "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," a visionary sheik believes his passion for the peaceful pastime of salmon fishing could enrich the lives of his people; and he dreams of bringing the sport to the not-so-fish-friendly desert. Willing to spare no expense, he instructs his representative (Blunt) to turn the dream into reality, an extraordinary feat that requires the involvement of Britain's leading fisheries expert (McGregor), who happens to think the project both absurd and unachievable that is, until the Prime Minister's overzealous press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas) latches on to it as a good-will story. Now, this unlikely team must put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.
Rex Reed, in the New York Observer, calls the film "a spirited, eloquent film - delightfully offbeat, deliciously different and well worth investigating." Peter Travers, in Rolling Stone, calls it "a distinct delight, brimming over with spirit and surprise." Rick Groen, in the Toronto Globe and Mail, says "make the leap, and you'll be delighted by a movie that's sugary goodness, a guilty pleasure." James Berardinelli, in ReelViews, adds "call me a sentimentalist, but I enjoyed myself - even during the scenes when there was a lot of talk about fish." Rated PG-13 for some violence and sexual content and brief language, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" runs 111 minutes.
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The Opera House Cinema Series is sponsored by Lake Shore Savings Bank. Tickets are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students) the night of each screening. A book of ten movie passes is available for $60 at the door or online at www.fredopera.org. For more information, call the Opera House Box Office at 716-679-1891. The Series continues with the charming independent film, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" on July 28 & 31.
Chautauqua County's only performing arts center presenting its own programming year-round, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.
