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Poster for Samba

Samba

Seen it?

2014 | 118 min | Drama, Comedy

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz and a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved The Terminal, start here.
The mood
Funny with heart.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 58 min.
What might put you off
It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Samba migrated to France 10 years ago from Senegal, and has since been plugging away at various lowly jobs. Alice is a senior executive who has recently undergone a burnout. Both struggle to get out of their dead-end lives. Samba's willing to do whatever it takes to get working papers, while Alice tries to get her life back on track until fate draws them together.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.3 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $39 million worldwide on a $20 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 12K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache

  • Omar SySamba Cissé
  • Charlotte GainsbourgAlice
  • Tahar RahimWalid aka Wilson
  • Izïa HigelinManu
  • Issaka SawadogoJonas Karanoto
  • Hélène VincentMarcelle
  • Youngar FallLamouna, Samba's uncle
  • Christiane MilletMadeleine
  • Jacqueline JehanneufMaggy
  • Liya KebedeMagali aka 'Gracieuse'