A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Samba (2014) Directors: Olivier Nakache & Éric Toledano Watched: 7/29/18 Rating: 6/10 Yes, Samba Like the dance. Funny/heartfelt, Einaudi's aurally awing soundtrack Mitigates poorly paced/unfocused plot. Gainsborough/Sy Are au fait Actors, But Not Very Convincing As two lovers. Compelling illegal immigrant woes, Sincere until deus ex machina. Priceless last scene Will make you Cheer or Dance! Tetractys poems stem from the mathematician Euclid, who considered the number series 1, 2, 3, 4 to have a mystical significance because of its sum of 10. He named it a Tetractys. Thus, these poems follow a 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllable format, with additional verses written in an inverted syllable count. #Tetractys #QuadrupleTetractys #PoemReview #French #Immigrants #Soundtrack

$426 million. The amount of money director's Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano last film The Intouchables made world-wide upon release in 2011/12. Not a bad haul for a movie that cost around $10 million to make.The thing with the Intouchables was, it was not only a huge box office sensation (particularly in its home country of France) but it was a film that both audiences and critics fawned over so much so that at the time of writing the film holds a steady place within the top 50 of the IMDb Top 250 films of all time. With such success comes expectations however and Nakache and Toledano had their work cut out to make there next project even half of what the Intouchables was, that project was Samba.Let's be frank, Samba neither replicated the box office success or the audience success that the Intouchables found but it's not like Samba is a bad film. Actually it's far from it; it's a likable film that for many reasons just doesn't contain enough spark or chemistry within it to even come close to bringing the feel good feels that came with the Intouchables. Firstly the story at the heart of this drama that has moments of comedy isn't nearly as attention grabbing as the true life tale at the heart of Philippe's and Driss's friendship and the films central romance between Omar Sy's (returning to work with the directors) illegal immigrant Samba and community worker Alice, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg never takes off, the two sharing an uneasy chemistry and Samba instead finds its winning card in other places.Sharing the screen with the always likable Tahar Rahim (an actor you just know will truly breakout one day) as fellow immigrant Wilson, Sy and Rahim find a groove in their on screen companionship that is both funny and at times emotionally resonate and they elevate the film so much so that you wish the film was centred more around these two newly acquainted friends. They deliver the films funniest scenes (a window washing scene in particular) and showcase just what could've been had Samba found more for these two actors to do.A topical film I'm sure for those situated in France and perhaps the world over in light of the recent refugee crisis's hitting the news in the last few months, Samba is a quality film that perhaps unfortunately will always be judged alongside the director's famed predecessor. It's a shame Samba's plot didn't play more to its strengths found in Sy and Rahim's and in the end it's a gently touching tale without being a great one.3 ½ lucky t-shirts out of 5

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"

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.