Samba

Quite disappointing. I admit that I expected more from the filmmakers and the cast. Not really from the cast, because Omar Sy is great, as is Charlotte. I believe in them in every scene, but the film just has a very slow pace, and in the end, it's quite clichéd and doesn't offer anything new. That's a shame. (30/12/2015)

French people can do this and really well. A sad comedy with dramatic elements and strong social subtext is the genre in which the French excel and surpass others by more than a head. The successful duo Toledano-Nakache has fallen into harmony again with Omar Sy and here we have another successful film that scores with both critics and viewers. Given that I had no idea what movie I was going to see, foolishly assumed, and even for the first five minutes, that I would be watching a dance film. I wouldn't mind, but the story of a Senegalese immigrant named Samba provided me with a strong dose of emotions, quality acting performances, and occasionally crazy jokes delivered by the otherwise more serious Tahar Rahim. And when you watch such a nice film with people you love, the experience is even more intense. My favorite film country did not disappoint again. (23/03/2015)

Charlotte Gainsbourg puts on her rose-tinted glasses and leads Omar Sy all the way to... go ahead and add your own take on what you like to think of as a happy ending. In this film, the options are a) to bed, b) to the sunset, or c) to the Eiffel Tower. Or the untouchable useless encounter between a nymphomaniac and a refugee. French romances of today are in fact quite similar to this. What is the world coming to? (28/07/2015)

This is ultimately a daring endeavor by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. Once again, they reach the viewer through unobtrusive music by Ludovico Einaudi, score points with their topicality, and most importantly, rely on the overwhelming charisma and disarming smile of Omar Sy. And miraculously, they emerge victorious again. Their intangible weapons, thoroughly tested by now, have lost none of their firepower. Although the entire situation is once again appropriately lightened and in its essence a bit tough to swallow for those working in the social sphere, I am speechless. This is an attempt to tell a story about an issue that the overwhelming majority of people will laugh at, be moved by, and shake their heads at, but ultimately forget once they leave the cinema. And one cannot help but root for such an attempt. (10/04/2015)

The first major disappointment from the duo of Omar Sy and Eric Toledano (The Intouchables). While the film nicely depicts the fact that immigrants have it tough in France and Omar Sy can be as good as he wants, no one has mercy without papers. There is very little humour, but there is no boredom. If you're in the mood for a topical social drama that's well acted and filmed, it's fine to watch. 65%. (06/11/2017)