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Samba

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Samba

R

Released Jul 24, 2015

1h 59m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

61%

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67 Reviews

55%

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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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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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Tim Appelo

TheWrap

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.

Dec 30, 2015

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Leah Greenblatt

Entertainment Weekly

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.

Rated: B+

Dec 30, 2015

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Peter Keough

Boston Globe

Unfortunately, the material flounders from the broadly farcical to the bombastically melodramatic.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 6, 2015

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Phil W. Bayles

One Room With A View

Another winning turn from Omar Sy is reason enough to enjoy this optimistic comedy/drama.

Rated: 3/5

May 10, 2019

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Ben Nicholson

CineVue

That Sy and Gainsbourg's love story never quite inflames the heart ultimately means that Samba remains a pleasant, rather than an enduring watch.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 5, 2019

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Jasper Rees

The Arts Desk

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.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 22, 2017

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isla s

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Es una película disfrutable; la trama es buena y la actuación de Omar Sy es excelente; es muy recomendable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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carlo c

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

amazing movie! it shows how hard and difficult is for immigrants to go to a new country without knowing what is going to happen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

Sweet, subtle, and at times very funny, small love story. Yet, with some powerful themes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Eric Toledano

Director

Olivier Nakache

Director

Omar Sy

Samba Cissé

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Alice

Tahar Rahim

Walid dit Wilson

Izïa Higelin

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Paulette

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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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