Samba

Name: Samba
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: July 24, 2015
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Isaka Sawadogo, Izïa Higelin, Omar Sy, Tahar Rahim

2015

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Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critics

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Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Samba (US)

Movie Details & Credits

Broad Green Pictures | Release Date: July 24, 2015

Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Isaka Sawadogo, Izïa Higelin, Omar Sy, Tahar Rahim

Summary: When Samba (Omar Sy) is suddenly ordered to leave France, he enlists the help of Alice (Charlotte Gainsbourg), an emotionally vulnerable immigration advocate with little experience but plenty of heart. As the immigrant aspiring chef and the burned-out corporate executive tentatively explore an unexpected bond, they inspire each other toWhen Samba (Omar Sy) is suddenly ordered to leave France, he enlists the help of Alice (Charlotte Gainsbourg), an emotionally vulnerable immigration advocate with little experience but plenty of heart. As the immigrant aspiring chef and the burned-out corporate executive tentatively explore an unexpected bond, they inspire each other to reinvent themselves in this vibrant comedy full of tender humor and heartfelt optimism. [Broad Green Pictures]… Expand

Director: Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

Leah Greenblatt

Jul 28, 2015

Samba finds a much stronger rhythm when it stops contriving and simply shines a light on the joy and pain (and musical interludes) of lives lived in the margins. Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Jul 30, 2015

Gainsbourg is always going through a little more than she cares to tell the audience about, but the connection her character makes with Samba — real, complicated and not typical — is one of the movie’s highlights. Read full review

Variety Peter Debruge

Jul 21, 2015

Running a full reel longer than needed, the film’s balance of romance, humor and pathos starts to slip in the final stretch... though the emotional notes ring true. Read full review

Time Out London Trevor Johnston

Jul 21, 2015

Both actors are tremendous. Sy adds powerful dramatic shading to his usual irresistible charm, while Gainsbourg hints at a sunnier disposition beneath her volatile nervousness. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

Jul 30, 2015

Like “The Intouchables,” Samba is loosely plotted and is at least 20 minutes too long. It seems ready to end half a dozen times before it finally does, with ironic payoffs for Samba and Alice that are too glib to be satisfying. Read full review

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Jul 23, 2015

But Samba’s personality, intriguingly volatile for a while, turns unpredictable, with no coherent center, as suspicion grows that the film’s stylistic shifts — including a genial parody of a well-known Coke commercial — are little more than pretexts for showing what its multitalented star can do. Read full review

The A.V. Club Keith Uhlich

Jul 22, 2015

On the evidence of their worldwide smash "The Intouchables," as well as their latest comedy-drama Samba, writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano specialize in well-intentioned, crowd-pleasing bullshit. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Jul 31, 2015

This mildly entertaining, sometimes-funny, sometimes-touching story of an undocumented worker living in Paris is the kind of movie one would probably want to like, but, unfortunately, the film largely misses the mark. Its episodic nature proves less than satisfying, keeping the picture fromThis mildly entertaining, sometimes-funny, sometimes-touching story of an undocumented worker living in Paris is the kind of movie one would probably want to like, but, unfortunately, the film largely misses the mark. Its episodic nature proves less than satisfying, keeping the picture from living up to its potential, despite yet another terrific performance by leading man Omar Sy. With some reworking, this could have been another winner in the same vein as its creators' previous effort, "The Intouchables," but, sadly, the film never reaches the same quality level as its predecessor.… Expand

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