Saving Yemen
Genre: Comedy
Director: Jeremiah Zagar
Writer: Jacob Jones
Cast: Adam Sandler, Reese Witherspoon, Jacob Tremblay, Miriam Spumkin, Kumail Nanjiani, Golshifteh Farahani
Plot: Outside a local elementary school, young Lilli (Miriam Spumkin) eagerly awaits for her car to arrive, bouncing up and down as she does. A car pulls up from the drive-thru, revealing her mother Amie (Reese Witherspoon) and her older brother Jack (Jacob Tremblay). Amie and Lilli embrace for a moment before entering the car, all three family members celebrating the last day of school. Lilli proceeds to ask Amie where Walter (Adam Sandler) is. Amie assures her that he’s busy preparing their summer vacation trip for the year.
Inside the lush house of the Mannings, the middle-aged photographer is busy putting on the final touches of his big surprise, claiming to himself that it’s the best idea he’s ever had when the door opens. He greets the family, ruffling Jack’s hair and giving Amie a kiss on the cheek before leading them towards the living room and ushering them to the couch.
Walter begins his special presentation by congratulating Jack and Lilli on a great school year, playing a clip show of the best moments, only to cut off when Walter finds an embarrassing photo of himself. Walter knows that they’ve been wondering where they’re gonna go for this summer and he figured that this year, they try something extra special. A place no one had ever thought of going to.
“Gang, we’re going…to Yemen!”
Amie and Jack stare at Walter, absolutely baffled while Lillie claps with excitement. Amie clears her throat, telling Jack and Lilli to head to their rooms. As Jack and Lilli take their leave, Amie stares at Walter with a blunt question: Why?
“Why not?” Walter asks, Amie’s always wanted to explore the world. Amie is quick to point out that Yemen is a dangerous country that is in the midst of a civil war and a humanitarian crisis. After pausing to acknowledge how awful it is, Walter claims that it might be a good way to show kids how hard the real world is. With Amie still not buying it, Walter makes one last argument.
“I hear it’s nice this time of year!”
Amie flatly tells Walter that he can do so all he wants, the rest of the family isn’t going. Desperate, Walter insists that Amie trust him on this. He knows that it’s a stupid idea, but he wants to try something different and new for summer vacation rather than ordinary trips. If it goes to shit, Walter will gladly go to Disneyland, just let them try this one year.
A few days later, Walter is at the airport, sadly staring at a picture of his wife and kids on his phone before grabbing all his suitcases and boarding his flight to Yemen. After such a long flight, Walter arrives at the curious country, exiting the premises, introducing himself…
“Hello Ye-AAAAAAAAAAGH!”
…and immediately getting shot in the left arm.
That evening, Walter lies on a bed, wondering if he’s died, only for a man to approach him, saying that he’s lucky to have survived. He introduces himself as Adnan (Kumali Nanjiani), a local doctor, and for today, Walter’s caretaker. Relieved, Walter thanks Adnan, claiming that his vacation is off to a bad start.
“I wish I had vacations.” Adnan quips, before sedating Walter for some sort of operation.
The next day, Walter finds that his arm has been taped up and that he’s free to go. As Walter heads out of the hospital, he is disturbed to find a shocking amount of children, most of them severely underweight, malnourished and in clear agony. Fearing for his life, Walter sprints towards the nearest phone, calling Amie.
Meanwhile, at Disneyland, Amie is with Lilli and Jack, having a wonderful time when her phone rings. Amie picks up the call, listening to a groveling Walter admit that this was a terrible idea, begging Amie to take him home. Wanting to run salt in his wound, Amie tells Walter that he wanted to go to Yemen, so he should enjoy it.
“Besides,” Amie says in a mocking tone, “I heard it’s nice this time of year!” before hanging up.
Walter heads out, looking for a hotel to stay in, only to be cursed at by everyone he sees. Eventually, he sits by the streets, pondering his plight. First he gets shot, then he finds nearly dead babies and now this. Is Yemen really that bad? And then, Walter remembers what Amie said about Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. By this point, Walter leaps up to his feet and makes a bold declaration, he’s going to save Yemen!
After dodging multiple gunfire shots, Walter crashes headfirst inside an abandoned house, scrummaging for pieces of paper and a pencil. He writes several catchy slogans, including “Don’t Be A Lemon, Save Yemen!” and “Mr. Gun is No Fun!”. Later that day, citizens are baffled to find Walter marching in the streets shouting about how they need to put the guns down and feed their dang kids. As this is happening, Adnan watches from his house, amused by Walter’s effort.
Walter is then shot in the other arm by an annoyed citizen. Watching the man coil in agony, Adnan swarms in to make the save, carrying Walter on his back and slamming him on the back seat of his car.
That evening, Walter again finds himself in the hospital, coming face to face with the man who has now twice saved his life, Adnan. Walter voraciously thanks his savior who humbly asks for him to stay by his house once he’s healed. He wants to address something. Walter lies on his hospital bed, wondering what Adnan has to say as his operation begins.
The next day, Walter is awakened by a soothing female voice, who he mistakenly believes is Amie’s. The woman tells him that he’s not dreaming. He is still in Yemen. Adnan then appears by the kitchen, introducing Walter to his wife, Ushe (Golshifteh Farahani). The three sit by a table, Adnan handing Walter a bowl of soup before addressing why he’s here. They heard of Walter’s calls to “Save Yemen”. Walter worries that they don’t need saving, but they assure him that Yemen has many issues.
“But they can be fixed, right?” Walter asks.
Adnan and Ushe stare at each other uncomfortably before Ushe tells Walter that it’s not that easy. She goes into detail of the now ten-year humanitarian crisis, which involves a civil war between the Houthis, Armed Forces and Al-Qaeda and a lack of basic needs and goods. They both accounts their own personal struggles, having lost relatives and family members due to them not having basic needs.
Walter recalls Amie mentioning the crisis, calling it the reason why she’s not here, feeling guilt over the situation. Ushe assures Walter that he has no reason to pity them. They remain strong each day they can.
“But what about the others?” Walter asks, “They need food and water like everyone else.”
Walter reveals that he came from a family that prides on doing good, and now that he’s here in Yemen, he feels a need to help these people. Especially now that he’s heard from Adnan and Ushe. After pondering about what to do, Walter gathers an idea, asking Adnan if he has a camera he can borrow, claiming to have an idea that might just work.
The next day, Walter publishes an ad on the internet involving several malnourished babies in clear agony as through voice-over, Walter gives insight on the situation in Yemen, urging people to donate and send goods to the country. When asked by Adnan what this is meant to accomplish, Walter responds as such:
“People melt when they see children cry. Don’t ask why, it’s just how it is.”
Adnan and Ushe trust Walter’s thinking, unsure of how it’s supposed to work. That evening, Walter is busy having soup when he hears a commotion outside. As it turns out, someone has sent a plane full of canned goods and bottled water. Stunned, Walter rushes out, investigating the premises when out from the plane comes a billionaire. They express gratitude in Walter for their campaign, having touched their heart. Stunned, Walter shakes the billionaire’s hand before excitedly telling Adnan and Ushe the news. Yemen is saved!
For a brief moment, the credits roll when Adnan tells Walter that Yemen is not saved. Yes, it’s amazing that Walter got all this food, but they still have a long way to go before they can truly call Yemen safe.
Walter paces back and forth inside Adnan’s house, wondering what to do next when he opts to call Amie, hoping she picks up. She does, asking Walter how Yemen is treating him. Walter proceeds to give Amie a genuine, heartfelt response regarding the humanitarian crisis, admitting that he never realized how and it was until he saw it first hand. Now, he’s committed to help make Yemen a better place.
Walter tells Amie that she doesn’t have to come to Yemen, but that the two of them can make a difference if they try to help out somehow. He waits three days straight for Amie and the kids, but to no avail. On the fourth day, however, Adnan awakens Walter from his bed, taking him outside to reveal a whole group of people carrying immense crates of food. Among the able bodies are Amie and the kids.
Walter gives Amie a warm embrace, amazed that she was able to pull all this off. Amie admits that he convinced her, before another plane drops down on Yemen, this one being full of food and water. Walter watches on, amazed as Jack and Lillie rally the people over to the planes. Amie and Walter look on, the latter awestruck by what has transpired, thanking Amie profusely.
“Hey, someone has to watch out for you.” Amie snarks, before giving Walter a kiss. Over the next few days, Amie and Walter continue to deliver food all over Yemen, bringing relief to people and spreading joy to all. Their deeds bring about national attention and they become featured on the news. However, violence still remains rampant on the streets, especially in regards to the Houthis and Hadis.
Amie tends to a group of people wounded from the bloodshed, all while Walter tries to sell bubble wrap shields. Adnan and Ushe are able to talk Walter down, admitting that it would take a miracle to settle the civil war. There are talks to end the war, but they’re in a standstill. By this point, Walter gets a surprise call on his phone.
Amie, having studied the Yemeni civil war offers to help broker a peace deal, considering this a good opportunity to fulfill her childhood dream of being a diplomat. Walter rashly interrupts, announcing that the pizza chains of America want him to give a speech on Yemen tomorrow.
The next morning, inside Yemen’s biggest hotel, Walter stands in the bathroom, dressed in a suit and tie when Amie checks up on him. Walter admits he’s a little nervous, but Amie assures him that he can do it, giving him a kiss on the cheek, heading off to city hall to discuss peace talks.
Later that day, Walter hosts several representatives from Little Caesar’s, Dominos, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s, giving a demonstration on why it’s important to support Yemen during these critical times when one person asks a simple question: “Why do you care now?”
Walter pauses, thinking back to when his mission started, before giving a heartfelt speech on all he has learned to this point and how the kindness he had been shared by others needed to be reciprocated. He was told to be kind, and they were kind to him, and as such, everyone should be kind back. How to do that? Simple. Let them eat pizza.
The representatives, now misty-eyed from the speech, applaud Walter, all signing off on the deal. More incredible news emerges as Amie excitedly reveals that she might have broken through to both sides. Sure enough, the next day, the Houthis and Hadis are finally able to bury the hatchet, ending a decade long civil war at last.
Now, Yemen is saved.
The credits again roll before Walter steps in, sheepishly greeting the audience. As amazing as all this is, it’s made for a rather boring movie. Or someone’s wish fulfillment. He hasn’t decided yet.
Regardless, Walter reveals that, while yes, Yemen is saved, it came with some complications:
“Therefore we shall call this phase, WTF. Better known as, Walter the Fuckup.”
As the days go by, the incredible turnaround of Yemen is reported all over the world, particularly highlighted by Walter and Amie’s efforts. Noticeably, however, Walter seems to be putting all the focus on himself, something that rubs Amie the wrong way as they reach their bedroom.
Amie asks Walter if he even remembers what she did to help stop the civil war. Walter does, saying that she did a great job. That’s all in the past, however, Walter is thinking of something bigger. Amie reminds Walter that they need to be home by August.
Walter claims that this may not be easy. Sure, Yemen may be saved, but who’s to say it won’t fall apart if they leave. Walter needs to make sure Yemen thrives in the decades to come and he has just the idea. The next day, the world is baffled but morbidly intrigued to find out that Walter is running for president of Yemen.
As Walter is inside his house eating soup, he receives a phone call from the president of United States, congratulating him on becoming the new president of Yemen, along with leaders from other countries. Baffled, he turns toward Ushe and Adnan, asking what on Earth just happened. Ushe confesses that Yemen hasn’t had a fair election in a long time, so unsure of what to do and content with what he’s done, they just decided to let Walter be the president.
Outside Adnan and Ushe’s house, a large crowd gathers, all clamoring for Walter. Walter steps forward, claiming that he’s got this, opening the door and greeting the crowd, only to find that they have significant demands. From infrastructure to foreign policy, education and even bringing sports over, there is no end to the list of requests. Walter assures the public that he’ll have it all figured out.
“There is no way I’m going to figure this out!” Walter exclaims, panicking in front of Adnan and Ushe.
Ushe tells Walter not to worry, and that they can help, along with the others. Over the next few days, Walter forms his cabinet, with Amie handling foreign relations, Ushe with education, Adnan with infrastructure and the kids becoming spokespeople for Walter. As the days go on, it becomes abundantly clear that Walter has no idea what he’s doing and is being carried by the rest of his group, noticeably Adnan and Ushe who, upon seeing Walter struggling, begin to take several small jobs to help ease the burden.
One day, Amie is preparing for a diplomacy meeting when she comes across Jack and Lilly who both ask when they’re coming home. They miss their friends and they’re tired of eating soup. As they leave, Amie realizes what she needs to do, canceling the meeting and making her way towards Walter as he prepares his own speech. They need to talk.
Amie tells Walter that they need to go home. The children miss their house and everything. Walter claims he can’t leave, he needs to keep helping the people of Yemen. What follows is a back and forth argument between both sides, ending with Walter making a plea regarding the citizens of Yemen.
“They need us!” Walter exclaims.
“No,” Amie responds, “they don’t.” It’s there Amie asks a serious question. Did Walter really save Yemen because he wanted to or because it made him look good? Walter freezes up, unable to answer. That leads to another question. Did you even need us for this?
Still no response. Amie sighs, her suspicions confirmed. She walks off, wishing Walter luck with his mission. Walter tries to plead only for the door to slam shut. Realizing what he’s done, Walter collapses onto the bed and buries his head in his face.
Later that day, Amie takes Jack and Lilly to the airport, saying that Walter won’t be coming. All seems normal when a group of masked people hide behind a building, going over their plan one final time. In order to kill the president, they must work their way up the chain. The head of the operation sees Amie and the kids walking by, ordering for them to strike.
Walter sits inside his room, packing his things. Ushe goes to check up on him, having heard the argument. Guiltridden, Walter admits that Amie is right, they need to go home. He’ll right up a resignation speech and hop on the first plane home. Ushe, while disappointed, understands and thanks Walter for everything
Outside, however, Walter and Ushe hear several screams. Walter looks outside and finds Amie trying to fight off a band of terrorists, the kids having already been tied up. In a panic, Walter tells Ushe to get Adnan and law enforcement
involved. Walter sprints out of the house, watching as the lead terrorist pulls out a gun. Fearing the worst, Walter leaps into view, stopping him from hitting his wife…
…but not stopping the bullet from going through his arm.
“WHO’S IDEA WAS IT TO HAVE THINGS COME IN THREES?!” Walter cries out as Adnan and Ushe chase off the group and free Amie and the kids. Horrified, Amie checks on a passed out Walter, making sure he’s alright.
Walter, once again, sees himself in the hospital, being taken care of by Adnan. He opens his eyes to find Amie, Ushe and the kids, all relieved to see him alright. Amie embraces Walter, thanking him for saving their lives. Walter takes this time to apologize to everyone for his behavior. He was so worried about keeping Yemen strong that he forgot about why he did it to begin. Because it was good. Now he understands that it’s better to be good than to just do good.
With that, Walter announces his resignation as president of Yemen, surprising everyone when he asks Adnan and Ushe to take the mantle. They’ve done so much to help him and his family out. Touched, they whole-heartedly accept the offer thanking Walter and his family for all they’ve done. The group share a warm embrace…
“Gah, that arm’s still sore.”
One Year Later:
Inside a large hall, Walter sits with his family, awaiting the big announcement. To his surprise, out come Adnan and Ushe, the president and vice-president of Yemen to present the Nobel Peace Prize to Walter and his family for their contributions to Yemen. Walter takes his step onstage, proudly claiming his award. He takes one look at Adnan and smiles.
Now, Yemen is truly saved.
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