Amira & Sam
Drafthouse Films | Release Date: January 30, 2015
7.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
11
Mixed:
1
Negative:
3
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
send2codyFeb 2, 2015
Loved the movie! Great characters, funny dialog with a smart plot that
makes you think about politics, war and love in a clever and humorous
way. The script is tight as the characters are built early on showing complicated relationships.Loved the movie! Great characters, funny dialog with a smart plot that
makes you think about politics, war and love in a clever and humorous
way. The script is tight as the characters are built early on showing
complicated relationships. As it evolves, you learn the complexities
war brings into relationships in this very global world. Amira and Sam
finds a unique way to tell the story through the eyes of a very unknown
hero of war, local interpreters that serve our armed forces and become
a critical extension of the team. While these unseen soldiers don't get
much credit, they risk the lives of themselves and their families.
Amira & Sam captures this incredibly brave act in a lovely RomCom that
will have you laughing throughout. Congrats to Dina Shihabi as she
shines in her debut with other strong performance by Martin Starr
(freaks & geeks, etc) and Paul Wesley (vampire diaries). Paul plays the
role of the unlikeable hedge fund manager perfectly while Martin may
steal the show as the funny, honorable yet unassuming Iraq veteran
trying to re-acclimate back into a 'normal' life.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
helencriticJan 31, 2015
A tender, honest and funny film about relationships, which at the same time, highlights serious issues such as capitalism run amok in a society without ethics and the complexities of ordinary individuals dealing with 9/11, wars in Iraq &A tender, honest and funny film about relationships, which at the same time, highlights serious issues such as capitalism run amok in a society without ethics and the complexities of ordinary individuals dealing with 9/11, wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, returning veterans, immigration, etc. To its credit it manages not to be cynical or didactic. It retains a lightness, a sense of humor and a romanticism (complete with a fairy tale ending). There is not a false note in the script: it is very honest and real, especially the dialogue. The actors are superb, making the dialogue and scenes even more believable. Kudo's to all, especially Sean Mullin, the writer-director. Go see it!… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
grahmgriffFeb 2, 2015
Amira and Sam is just delightful. It's fast-paced and witty yet deals with some truly serious issues. The actors are terrific, especially the uncle, and I found it to be timely and timeless at the same time.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
sspillanedesignFeb 2, 2015
A wonderful, moving ,funny and entertaining 90 mins. Found the casting of both Sam and Amirah fresh and real.
Amirah is coming from the painful experience of the loss of family in Afganistan. Sam the young soldier believing in honor andA wonderful, moving ,funny and entertaining 90 mins. Found the casting of both Sam and Amirah fresh and real.
Amirah is coming from the painful experience of the loss of family in Afganistan. Sam the young soldier believing in honor and the handshake. They come together and with charm and humor and help each other to live in a world of disappointment, war and prejudice . There is no wasted scenes or lines in this story which keeps the viewer with them every step of the way. We were smiling on the way out and continue to enjoy it though conversation.. Thank You Sean Mullen... Do It again!… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
ingridpopFeb 3, 2015
I loved this movie. The characters are so lovable and human. They are flawed but are really very sweet and innocent, yet calmly defiant in their own right. The cinematography is excellent and I found NYC to be another lovable character inI loved this movie. The characters are so lovable and human. They are flawed but are really very sweet and innocent, yet calmly defiant in their own right. The cinematography is excellent and I found NYC to be another lovable character in the story.

If you like romance and humor but are tired of stereotype I think this movie will appeal to you.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
donaldmdFeb 3, 2015
Witty and romantic, a delightful human tale. There is much to enjoy, most notably the "bed" scene. As a new actress Dina Shihabi is outstanding, worthy of award consideration. I look forward to seeing more of her in the future. Though notWitty and romantic, a delightful human tale. There is much to enjoy, most notably the "bed" scene. As a new actress Dina Shihabi is outstanding, worthy of award consideration. I look forward to seeing more of her in the future. Though not deep the movie engages the viewer throughout and is well worthwhile.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
Betsy_AMar 12, 2015
This was a thoroughly engaging, totally enjoyable movie. The characters of Amira and Sam were realistic, and I felt an immediate connection to both of them. Their journey was engaging and I was hooked waiting to see where things would go. TheThis was a thoroughly engaging, totally enjoyable movie. The characters of Amira and Sam were realistic, and I felt an immediate connection to both of them. Their journey was engaging and I was hooked waiting to see where things would go. The acting was great, the script and story line quirky, interesting, and different. They were both very believable and individualistic. This was a fun movie and a glimpse into different worlds, and a totally entertaining movie that left me feeling upbeat and positive. A great movie to see.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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4
LeZeeNov 4, 2016
A deliberate romance drama!!!

It looks good, but not very enjoyable. I would have liked if it was focused only on Sam about a soldier's struggle since his return from the war like the 2009 film 'The Messenger' perhaps. The Amira'sA deliberate romance drama!!!

It looks good, but not very enjoyable. I would have liked if it was focused only on Sam about a soldier's struggle since his return from the war like the 2009 film 'The Messenger' perhaps. The Amira's character seems deliberately put in, especially in the present western world scenario to tell what's wrong with them. So sorry, this did not click for me. But I like some parts, like how the character Amira transformed compared to the beginning and ending.

Martin Starr was at his best and that's why its watchable. Some people might like the film for its simpleness, but the screenplay should have been improved. They covered many topics like wall street, unemployed ex soldier, immigrant et cetera in 90 minutes, but when it comes to the romance part, the reality was missing. So like I said, intentionally the lead two characters put together to bring attention, rather to tell a neat romantic tale.

It it like 'Learning to Drive' kind of film. That aimed to reveal the cultural clash between two and how it stands as an obstacle between their feeling to each other. This is not for everybody, even the middle eastern audience might be annoyed about how Amira was portrayed in a few scenes. But those are the parts I liked the most from it. Just once watchable.

4/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
t3chronFeb 1, 2015
Amira & Sam is a lean and witty romantic comedy with a unique premise that invites the viewer to dig a layer deeper into the psychology of its characters. It's a short, sweet, and smart film that's hard not to like.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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