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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. Read critic reviews

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Samba Photos

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Movie Info

Sparks fly between an illegal immigrant (Omar Sy) and the caseworker (Charlotte Gainsbourg) who tries to help him stay in Paris.
  • Rating:
    R (Language)
  • Genre:
    drama, comedy
  • Original Language:
    French (France)
  • Director:
    Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
  • Producer:
    Nicolas Duval Adassovsky, Yann Zenou, Laurent Zeitoun
  • Writer:
    Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $149.8K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Ciné+, Indéfilms Initiative, Gaumont, TF1, Angoa-Agicoa, Ten Films, Procirep, Quad Productions, TF1 Films Production, Cinémage 8 Développement, Canal+

Cast & Crew

Omar Sy
Samba Cissé
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Alice
Tahar Rahim
Walid dit Wilson
Izïa Higelin
Manu
Youngar Fall
L'oncle Lamouna
Issaka Sawadogo
Jonas Karanoto
Hélène Vincent
Marcelle
Christiane Millet
Madeleine
Clotilde Mollet
Josiane - de l'agence d'intérim
Liya Kebede
Magali dite Gracieuse
Eric Toledano
Director
Olivier Nakache
Director
Eric Toledano
Screenwriter
Olivier Nakache
Screenwriter
Nicolas Duval Adassovsky
Producer
Yann Zenou
Producer
Laurent Zeitoun
Producer
Stéphane Fontaine
Cinematographer
Dorian Rigal-Ansous
Film Editor
Ludovico Einaudi
Original Music
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Critic Reviews for Samba

All Critics (68) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (26)

  • 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.

    December 30, 2015 | Full Review…

    Tim Appelo

    TheWrap

  • 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.

    December 30, 2015 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

    Leah Greenblatt

    Entertainment Weekly

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

    August 6, 2015 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Keough

    Boston Globe

  • The filmmakers mix touching social realism, feel-good romantic comedy, and working-class farce into a patronizing ragout of flavors that never successfully blend together.

    August 6, 2015 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Josh Kupecki

    Austin Chronicle

  • "Samba" tries to be too many things to too many people, although you can't say it doesn't have heart.

    August 3, 2015 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    John Anderson

    Newsday

  • Gainsbourg and Sy play off each other wonderfully, emphasizing how these characters relate to each other as people; their scenes together feel emotionally honest even though one can barely imagine them happening in real life.

    July 30, 2015 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Ben Sachs

    Chicago Reader
View All Critic Reviews (68)

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