Reviews

Anything but a comedy, this movie's title is ironic. Its story is profoundly sad without being a tear-jerker. The actor Arman Darwish carries the film portraying a left-handed, sensitive and artistic boy in a milieu where military force and ridiculous macho bravado are admired. He manages to succeed in this world only to question it forcefully. Although it takes place in a Muslim country, and one might expect the drama to depict forceful men and submissive women, in fact the movie's women are as strong or stronger than the male characters, and most definitely have sophistication and agency. The movie makes a powerful statement and offers insight.

This film moved me more than almost any other I've seen, and the other English reviews seem to have seen a different movie. Samba is profound and tragic in that it shows two people who have both suffered because of their position in society. The woman has come to doubt herself and feel sub-human; the man has managed to maintain self-respect in a global economy that puts him at the bottom because of his origins in Africa. He has humor, kindness, a good work ethic, and integrity, but what good will it do him in the face of the skewed policies of national interest? Thanks to him, the woman regains faith in herself and falls profoundly in love, but will they make it? For me, the film's ending is ambiguous, leaving this an open question for the viewer to try to answer. A painful and beautiful film for me. Loved it.

Being from a small city in the temperate part of the U. S. South, I can see how necessary this film is. It's got beautiful cinematography, a dramatic story tempered with moments of gentle humor, a well-done soundtrack, musical Malawian narration, large, easy-to-read subtitles, and typical - but not stereotypical - American characters. The story takes us from a small town where everyone farms and few are educated, in Malawi, to small towns in the U. S. where conditions are similar, but more "developed." A little bit reality show, a little bit international mission trip, and 100% rain on parched ground.

When i heard that this movie received a 6 minute standing ovation from the experts at Cannes, I bought a ticket immediately. I love good movies and respect the French industry's commitment to films with something to say. I could perhaps have related to the main character known as Alithea...I too have a degree in lit and an interest in Muslim cultures, and in all that is foreign. Maybe because I find myself alone in my life like her (only very unhappy about it), I was so saddened to see nothing of what would make a film satisfying to me here. I enjoyed the film while I could forget my own isolation, but the minute I left, I felt hurt, empty, and depressed. Meaning? Psychological realism? No to both. I'm sorry but I don't recommend this movie.

If you enjoy entertainments that proudly trace their roots to the theater that evolved from communities gathering to laugh and forget daily life for as long as the evening lasts, you will enjoy this. There's plenty of buffoonery, no one is perfectly good-looking or perfectly good, and even the "bad" guys have their charms. Meanwhile, there is plenty to make you smile. I loved the soundtrack - exotic for me, an American, and plenty thrilling for that reason. A movie that takes you someplace, depositing you back home relaxed and reassured.

The cream of European society swindlers, a 40-something beauty with jimmy choos (Anne Hathaway) and several discarded diamond engagement rings in her home vault, meets her match when a low-life American con-woman catfish (Rebel Wilson) vaults onto the scene. It's a dead heat when the two women agree to resolve their differences with a race to con a sweet young arrival out of his tech billions.

Not being a fan of the Harry Potter series, I was glad to find such a good drama based on a book by Rowling. (I haven't read the book, but would like to.) To disagree with another critic on IMDb, the death visions are well done. They borrow, in their simplicity, from traditional mummer's theater, and are one of my favorite aspects of the show, along with the scenery and interiors. Themes and plot twists are as intriguing as the town's different spaces are colorful. The scene of a recovering addict's tortuously long wait for a bus is perfect. Bravo to all involved.