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Samba

Play trailer Poster for Samba R 2015 1h 59m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Sparks fly between an illegal immigrant (Omar Sy) and the caseworker (Charlotte Gainsbourg) who tries to help him stay in Paris.
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Samba

Samba

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Critics Consensus

Samba isn't the finest effort from directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, but the film's shortcomings are partly balanced by its big heart and talented cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Tim Appelo TheWrap 12/30/2015
The editing errs on the side of longueurs, but likable people and the mise-en-scne draw you in. Somehow, even the artificiality feels heartwarming. Go to Full Review Leah Greenblatt Entertainment Weekly 12/30/2015
B+
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. Go to Full Review Peter Keough Boston Globe 08/06/2015
2.5/4
Unfortunately, the material flounders from the broadly farcical to the bombastically melodramatic. Go to Full Review Phil W. Bayles One Room With A View 05/10/2019
3/5
Another winning turn from Omar Sy is reason enough to enjoy this optimistic comedy/drama. Go to Full Review Ben Nicholson CineVue 04/05/2019
3/5
That Sy and Gainsbourg's love story never quite inflames the heart ultimately means that Samba remains a pleasant, rather than an enduring watch. Go to Full Review Jasper Rees The Arts Desk 11/22/2017
3/5
Based on a novel by Delphine Coulin, this is an affectionate and touching look at the absurdities of life as an illegal, and at its heart are two charming performances. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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isla s 09/03/2022 This is a sobering and insightful film, with the main theme being perseverence. Its not what I'd call a comedy, even though there are certainly some lighter moments in it, its not a film that I found myself specifically laughing at. Its easy to feel sorry for the main (titular) character. It has a good soundtrack and overall I'd recommend it, yes. See more 10/02/2021 Es una película disfrutable; la trama es buena y la actuación de Omar Sy es excelente; es muy recomendable. See more carlo c @CarloCoello 09/01/2018 Un inmigrante en París, con aspiraciones de convertirse en un gran cocinero recibe la orden de ser deportado, al buscar alguna forma de permanecer en Francia se topa con una voluntaria que le cambiará la vida. See more 03/21/2018 A nicely played little film. I enjoyed the charismatic Omar Sy and the fragility of Charlotte Gainsbourg. An insight into the gig economy, not to mention the blatant exploitation of those marginalised, in a not-so-glamorous Paris. See more 03/09/2017 amazing movie! it shows how hard and difficult is for immigrants to go to a new country without knowing what is going to happen See more 10/26/2016 Sweet, subtle, and at times very funny, small love story. Yet, with some powerful themes. See more Read all reviews
Samba

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Cast & Crew

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Eric Toledano

Director

Olivier Nakache

Director

Omar Sy

Samba Cissé

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Alice

Tahar Rahim

Walid dit Wilson

Izïa Higelin

Manu

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Samba

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Movie Info

Synopsis Sparks fly between an illegal immigrant (Omar Sy) and the caseworker (Charlotte Gainsbourg) who tries to help him stay in Paris.
Director
Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
Producer
Nicolas Duval-Adassovsky, Yann Zenou, Laurent Zeitoun
Screenwriter
Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, Delphine Coulin, Muriel Coulin, Delphine Coulin
Distributor
Broad Green Pictures
Production Co
Ten Films, Gaumont, Quad Productions, TF1 Films Production, Korokoro
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 24, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$149.8K
Runtime
1h 59m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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