Indie DVD Round-Up: "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" and "Take This Waltz" (please!)

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

The Basics: A wealthy sheikh wants to introduce salmon into the country of Yemen and hires a consultant, Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily Blunt), to make that happen. Harriet turns to Fred Jones (Ewan McGregor), an expert in salmon fisheries, for assistance, but he rejects the idea. However, Fred soon finds himself pressured by a government official, Patricia Maxwell (Kristen Scott Thomas), to do everything in his power to honor the sheikh's request. Fred must then work with Harriet and, as a result, a romance blossoms between them.

Reasons to Watch: The performances from the aforementioned actors are terrific. Kristen Scott Thomas is particularly effective as the acid tongued official who always speaks her mind. Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor display solid chemistry as the would-be couple whose road to happiness is often riddled with potholes.

The Bottom Line: The often amusing and sometimes hysterical screenplay, by Simon Beaufoy, which is based on the novel, of the same name, by Paul Torday, is sublime. The actors run with the dialogue with their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks. The result is a fresh, intelligent and well acted film that would have benefited by a shorter run time. Regardless, this is a quality Indie film that deserves to be seen.

Take This Waltz (2011)

The Basics: Romantic drama with some comedic elements that centers around the faltering relationship between a married couple, Margot (Michelle Williams) and Lou (Seth Rogen). Margot's restlessness is evident in her apparently humdrum relationship with the reliable, if boring and predictable, Lou. However, while on a business trip, Margot meets Daniel (Luke Kirby), who happens to be her neighbor. Margot clearly has more chemistry with Daniel than Lou and the two appear to fall in love after a series of encounters. Of course, that threatens the stability of Margot's relationship with Lou, so she must decide if she wants to stay married to someone who really loves her, or risk a potentially exciting new relationship with a man she has only known for a short period of time.

Reasons to Watch: The performances from the aforementioned cast members are generally good.

The Bottom Line: An overly long and often annoying film featuring obnoxious dialogue and a meandering screenplay, from writer/director Sarah Polley.