Samba

And I'm not talking hot as in physically (though some may argue Omar is hot, which I reckon is not completely wrong), but as in right now, news worthy topic hot. Immigrants are one of the main "issues" in quite a few countries at the moment and it's almost comical to what degree some are arguing on this.

This movie on the other hand is intentionally funny and it has good actors to back that story up. Even if you don't buy everything the characters are doing, you can easily empathize with them, if you're willing and open enough, to let those emotions in. The movie has a message in all the entertainment, which can be taken or read or completely ignored. That's up to the viewer. It is a very well made movie though and you can watch it, even without the current events being an obstacle to that form of "entertainment"

"Samba" is a french comedy with a great history about the immigrants. I like this film. I've seen this film recently and I've been surprised because at first i thought it was just a stereotype movie about immigrants. Actually, I don't like french films but this one was a good one, there are really good characters. Obviously my favorite actor was the leading actor, Samba ( Omar Sy ), he plays very well. What i found as a great idea is that we can laugh even if it's a sad story with a happy ending. The only problem I had is that I already knew what was going to happen at the end of the film. I really recommend this film if you like laughing and watching touching film.

I walked out of the cinema with a smile on my face, I was entertained watching this movie. Samba is just like the dance, slick, emotional but also fun. Omar Sy and Charlotte Gainsbourg's rapport on film felt natural and wasn't overplayed all actors on this movie, do it justice. The reality of illegal immigrants is not what this movie is about this movie is about hope through 4 different main characters, Samba, Alice, Wilson and Manu, spotlight is on Samba and Alice, but you get a sense that really it's all about Samba and his survival in the urban jungle. Charlotte Gainsbourg gives a riveting performance, as a tortured soul in need of feeding and nurturing, at times filling the screen with her beauty at others looking so raw and in pain, it's all in her eyes and a gentle pitch in her voice, I don't think her voice has changed much since l'Effrontée ( she was 15 and that was 25 years ago!). Tahar Rahim was also very believable as Wilson, he has fun with this role, but never takes away from Omar Sy, good supporting actor's performance from him. The soundtrack is uplifting with the theme song To Know you is to Love you by Stevie Wonder with Syreeta, the melody punctuates the film throughout and you walk out humming it to yourself. The ending is french it's after all a french movie so no "fluffy, Hollywood,let's all live happily ever after ", cheesy ending for Samba. Just a natural conclusion, a blend of softness and release.

As some have noted before, it is a light-hearted movie on a serious topic (undocumented immigrants) but always respectful at that.

I cannot quite agree with the reviewers that did not see the humor in this movie (I laughed about every three minutes throughout - expect towards the end - and sometimes even cried at the same time). Neither can I understand how people can say that the characters are flat or even "boring". Imho, the film succeeds in portraying them in not just black and white; each of them (and there are many!) evolves within the 120 minutes so much so that, in fact, it is not about the immigrants being the "angels" and the immigrant officers being the "devils" at all. On the contrary, lines are blurred very early on and especially in the end.

I find that this is a worth successor of "Untouchables"; I probably even prefer it. It is a very moving film (similar to the documentary "l'Escale") but without trying to be so. Also, the actors are brilliant! (Omar Sy, I think, even manages to mimic a Senegalese accent.)

Greetings again from the darkness. Co-directors Olivier Narache and Eric Toledano delivered one of the best movies of 2012 with The Intouchables, and reunite to adapt a novel from Delphine Coulin. It's another "odd couple" story, this time focusing on Samba (Omar Sy) and Alice (Charlotte Gainsbourg). The familiar blend of drama and comedy is present, and the French immigration process takes a few shots.

Omar Sy exploded on the scene in The Intouchables and again proves what a tremendous screen presence he has. However this time his turn is mostly dramatic, while the bulk of the comedy arrives courtesy of his friend Wilson (played by Tahar Rahim from A Prophet). Ten years ago, Samba immigrated to France from Senegal, and has been sending money home ever since. A police incident leaves Samba in danger of being deported, and he receives help from Alice, an inexperienced immigration worker who is dealing with her own issues … she's a hard core corporate burn out (hide your cell phone fellas!).

Given the subject matter, the film is much funnier and pleasant to watch than one might expect. The actors listed above, along with Izia Higelin as another immigration worker, are all wonderful and interesting to watch as their characters struggle through the hand they've been dealt. Samba and Wilson steal moments of joy while living in constant fear of being discovered, while Alice is borderline depressive and insomniac. She and Samba spend much of the movie in clumsy flirtations while their stressful situations swirl around. It's awkward to watch, but we do find ourselves hoping things work out for each of them.

A very promising opening sequence contrasts the attendees of a high-dollar wedding with the working class of those in the kitchen- of which Samba is one. Unfortunately, this contrast is mostly hinted at for the rest of the film, except for one terrific "back and forth/ him and her" segment. The best guess is that there is an outstanding dramatic story hidden by the overuse of comedy. While the laughs are legitimate and appreciated, the film leaves us feeling a bit empty, given the lack of information and insight we take away in regards to French immigration.