X
- 2015
- Not Rated
- Drafthouse Films
- 1 h 30 m
- 2015
- Not Rated
- Drafthouse Films
- 1 h 30 m
Summary An army veteran's unlikely romance with an Iraqi immigrant is put to the test when she is faced with the prospect of deportation.
Directed By: Sean Mullin
Written By: Sean Mullin
- 2015
- Not Rated
- Drafthouse Films
- 1 h 30 m
- 2015
- Not Rated
- Drafthouse Films
- 1 h 30 m
Amira & Sam
58
7.6
Where to Watch
Summary An army veteran's unlikely romance with an Iraqi immigrant is put to the test when she is faced with the prospect of deportation.
Directed By: Sean Mullin
Written By: Sean Mullin
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
58
60% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
40% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
58
60% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
40% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Writer-director Sean Mullin gives us some of the usual beats, but he and his performers invest them with rare persuasive power.
Starr and Shihabi, a charming newcomer, play off each other beautifully, and even when the film becomes a little too heavy-handed...their relationship keeps it grounded.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 User Ratings
7.6
75% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
6% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
19% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 User Ratings
7.6
75% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
6% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
19% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
This was a thoroughly engaging, totally enjoyable movie. The characters of Amira and Sam were realistic, and I felt an immediate connection to both of them. Their journey was engaging and I was hooked waiting to see where things would go. The acting was great, the script and story line quirky, interesting, and different. They were both very believable and individualistic. This was a fun movie and a glimpse into different worlds, and a totally entertaining movie that left me feeling upbeat and positive. A great movie to see.
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Loved the movie! Great characters, funny dialog with a smart plot that
makes you think about politics, war and love in a clever and humorous
way. The script is tight as the characters are built early on showing
complicated relationships. As it evolves, you learn the complexities
war brings into relationships in this very global world. Amira and Sam
finds a unique way to tell the story through the eyes of a very unknown
hero of war, local interpreters that serve our armed forces and become
a critical extension of the team. While these unseen soldiers don't get
much credit, they risk the lives of themselves and their families.
Amira & Sam captures this incredibly brave act in a lovely RomCom that
will have you laughing throughout. Congrats to Dina Shihabi as she
shines in her debut with other strong performance by Martin Starr
(freaks & geeks, etc) and Paul Wesley (vampire diaries). Paul plays the
role of the unlikeable hedge fund manager perfectly while Martin may
steal the show as the funny, honorable yet unassuming Iraq veteran
trying to re-acclimate back into a 'normal' life.
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Having downplayed its love story at the start, the picture swells romantically in an unexpectedly pleasing way. It may not be enough to convince audiences that Starr should be Hollywood's next romantic lead, but for these two characters, the chemistry is just right.
An earnest and considerate examination of two people falling in love, but the movie lacks certainty when handling these characters separately.
Nothing feels truly at stake, no matter how weighty the risks the characters face, but there are charming moments along the way.
Somehow, writer-director Sean Mullin’s short, far-fetched love affair comedy charms and works more often than not.
Written and directed by Sean Mullin, a comedian and onetime Army officer (he plays a comic in the film), Amira & Sam is more successful as a portrait of veteran alienation than as a romance.
Amira and Sam is just delightful. It's fast-paced and witty yet deals with some truly serious issues. The actors are terrific, especially the uncle, and I found it to be timely and timeless at the same time.
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Witty and romantic, a delightful human tale. There is much to enjoy, most notably the "bed" scene. As a new actress Dina Shihabi is outstanding, worthy of award consideration. I look forward to seeing more of her in the future. Though not deep the movie engages the viewer throughout and is well worthwhile.
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I loved this movie. The characters are so lovable and human. They are flawed but are really very sweet and innocent, yet calmly defiant in their own right. The cinematography is excellent and I found NYC to be another lovable character in the story.
If you like romance and humor but are tired of stereotype I think this movie will appeal to you.
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A deliberate romance drama!!!
It looks good, but not very enjoyable. I would have liked if it was focused only on Sam about a soldier's struggle since his return from the war like the 2009 film 'The Messenger' perhaps. The Amira's character seems deliberately put in, especially in the present western world scenario to tell what's wrong with them. So sorry, this did not click for me. But I like some parts, like how the character Amira transformed compared to the beginning and ending.
Martin Starr was at his best and that's why its watchable. Some people might like the film for its simpleness, but the screenplay should have been improved. They covered many topics like wall street, unemployed ex soldier, immigrant et cetera in 90 minutes, but when it comes to the romance part, the reality was missing. So like I said, intentionally the lead two characters put together to bring attention, rather to tell a neat romantic tale.
It it like 'Learning to Drive' kind of film. That aimed to reveal the cultural clash between two and how it stands as an obstacle between their feeling to each other. This is not for everybody, even the middle eastern audience might be annoyed about how Amira was portrayed in a few scenes. But those are the parts I liked the most from it. Just once watchable.
4/10
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Production Company
Five By Eight Productions,
Hole in 1 Productions,
Strongman,
Vanishing Angle
Release Date Jan 30, 2015
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating Not Rated
Tagline The only place they belong is together
Website
http://samandamira.com/
Awards
Port Townsend Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Napa Valley Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Irvine International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
