Movieo
Poster for Waiting for Happiness

Waiting for Happiness

2002 · 1h 31m · N/A Drama
Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako

Seen it?

Overview

Before immigrating to the West, Abdallah travels to the coastal city of Nouadhibou, Mauritania, to visit his mother. Although he grew up there, Abdallah feels anything but at home in his old neighborhood: he can no longer speak the local dialect and he wears western clothes that immediately cast him as an outsider. But, as Abdallah spends time with a young boy and an elderly electrician, he can't help but feel a sense of loss for the life he's abandoning.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
76%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Manages to delight without much of a story.

V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Fresh

Though talk in the film often turns to death, Khatra's enthusiasm and love of life keep the movie surprisingly upbeat.

John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Rotten

A film that will be best appreciated by those willing to endure its extremely languorous rhythms, Waiting for Happiness is ultimately thoughtful without having much dramatic impact.

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Fresh

Takes you by the face, strokes your cheeks and coos beseechingly at you: slow down, shake off your tensions and take this picture at its own breezy, distracted rhythms.

Elvis Mitchell, New York Times

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films