User reviews

Summary: A medical student in Paris, originally from Africa (Zaire/Congo, to be specific), turns down the opportunity to return to his homeland and work for the ruling kleptocracy. Instead, in pursuit of French residency, he agrees to set up a practice in a small town in rural France. Hilarity ensues.

No, really. Believe it or not, the film is largely a comedy. The writers (including the real-life son of the main character) made a clear choice to make this film as light-hearted as possible. Frankly, that was a stiff challenge. The film could easily have been far darker. Perhaps it should have been - but that would be a different film.

Dr. Zantoko (Marc Zinga in an impressive, enjoyable performance) takes on xenophobia, racism, annoying in-laws, marital strife, parenthood, unpaid bills, and small-town politics, rarely letting any of it get him down.

Zantoko's family (Aissa Maiga, Bayron Lebli, and Medina Diarra) also turn in winning performances.

I was less enamored with the performances of the townspeople. But that is probably colored by the negative characteristics they were called on to exhibit. So maybe they gave great performances??? (FWIW, Jonathan Lambert did a great job as the smarmy, back-stabbing politician.)

If I'm going to criticize something, it's the redemption arc for the town itself. This film tries to pull that off, with some unlikely deus-ex-machina events bringing everyone together for the happy ending.

I get it - the makers wanted an upbeat, feel-good film. Thing is, I've seen plenty of films where the charming, off-beat townsfolk eventually come together with the heroic outsider. Here, the film only made half the sale - I bought the family, but not the town.

The townspeople here aren't charming or off-beat - they're just xenophobic imbeciles. And frankly, if they were anything close to what was shown here, they DIDN'T deserve Dr. Zantoko, in the film or in real life.

But don't let that criticism steer you away. All in all, this was an enjoyable view into worlds that you don't see in American cinema at all, and only rarely in French cinema.

For the first time in many, many years, I'm giving a 10 out of 10. In 2006 one of the movie producers composed a song about this family and this story. The same "rapper" is also in the movie and this is the story about his family and being accepted in the 70s in the middle of a conservative nowhere. Anyway. He might not be the best movie made but it made me laugh and the end made me cry. I loved it and I was expecting this for a very long time. Merci Kamini.

What could have easily been a bleak outlook on racism and the struggle for acceptance by an African Doctor and his family in a small village turns into a fun and light-hearted comedy the whole family can enjoy.

With its comedic ups and downs, and a standout cast playing the family, this movie is a fun, good-quality time guarantee.

Turning a rather controversial story into a lighthearted comedy was a good idea. The story could've used some more gravitas though.

A film for our times, though based on true story decades ago. A black Congolese doctor relocates to French countryside with his family and face racial distancing by the locals. It's an uplifting story on how the father and the kids turn both the locals and their mother too with their talents and unconditionality. In current times when divisive tendencies are on the upswing, we need more such reinforcements.

The movie is a simple one, perhaps made with modest means. But it is highly effective at what it attempts.

The acting, especially of the female lead is very good. And the kids as well as the male lead are delightful. The villagers all play their role well.

Although racism was and to some extent is quite deep-seated in USA but there are still few pockets in France where it does prevail. The prejudice however, is not entrenched. This is a light-hearted film based on the life of Seyolo Zantoko, the father of the musician, Congolese French rapper Kamini... there may be few kinks but it is a great watch.

This movie was heart-warming, funny, sad, and eye-opening, all at once. Showing the difficulties faced by an African family in rural France, in being accepted into the community. It's been on my watch list for a long time, and I'm glad I finally took the time to get around to watching it! Relatively clean, so would be appropriate for children who are old enough to have discussion and understanding of the themes in the movie.

The African Doctor nicely depicts the struggle in which a late 20th century African immigrant may find himself while trying to settle in provincial Europe. The cultural clashes are very funny to watch, but sometimes they seem a bit overdone. Nonetheless I think the struggle hits pretty close to reality. Without being a depressing movie, The African Doctor delivers quite a touching story.

But it is reasonably well done, and occasionally watching a movie where nothing blows up and doesn't leave you depressed is refreshing. Charming is a word that comes to mind.

Absolutely loved this charming and light-hearted satire!

A lovely family friendly perspective on race and living as an immigrant in an unwelcoming community. The daily challenges that the main characters face make for a touching tale that will make you laugh and cry.

As an expat myself, I can definitely relate on a personal level with the incredibly truthful way this film portrays the challenges of trying to immerse within a new and very different society.

Such a beautiful heartwarming French film. If you like 'Doc Martin' and French comedies, then you'll love this, which is like a combination of them both.

The fact it's based on a true story just makes it even more enjoyable. The performances were great, and while it took me a little to get into, once I did, it was like being wrapped up in a comfy blanket. It has a lighthearted vibe and managed to juggle humour with sensitive racial issues effectively.

At times it even reminded me of 'The Vicar of Dibley' - if the village had received an African doctor instead of female vicar. It has a really nice score throughout, and enough emotional scenes to ensure Kleenex never runs out of business. The final scenes in particular were a fitting climax and great way to finish what was an enjoyable story.

I'm a sucker for triumph over adversity stories, and The African Doctor is a fantastic little film with a big heart.

A wonderful Movie.Funny.Sad.Inspiring. Honest.Not only is the (true) story intriguing, the scenes are compelling and the casting superb. It is essentially the story of a black doctor from the Congo who had been educated in France who accepts a position as the town doctor in a small farm community north of Paris but is himself not accepted by the locals, most of whom have never even seen a black person. It is very well put to-gether and the end product is a film that entices and entertains. In addition to the principals, there is a superb cast of the local characters, some of whom are indeed characters. It will tug your heart, tickle your funny bone and stimulate your mind.

A little clunky but delightful foreign film with good subtitles. Good acting, directing, and narrative.

This film is based on the real story of Seyolo Zantoko, a doctor of Congolese origin who installed his doctor's office in the village of Marly-Gomont amnd stayed there with his famille from 1970 to 2009. A touching story telling the integration of this family in this village with humour (the white cows looking at Anne , the man explaining what is a leek): little by little the family begins to be accepted and appreciated by the people of Marly-Gomont. The performances of Marc Zinga (Seyolo Zantoko) and Aïssa Maïga (Anne Santoko) are excellent, so as the performances of the French actors and actresses.

A great family movie to depict a very difficult start for this family. Great writing to describe humble pride, lightness and forgiveness. The lead character is excellent. The build-up of his emotions is very well built. I just shouted of rage at the same as he did in complete symbiosis with his struggles! Haha

A real story about a hard theme told in a light way.

Embarrassing to watch. Could have been so much better had they simply not talked down to the audience. Reminded me of the crass movies that come out of Hollywood. I wish that I had that time back. Good actors, lousy direction that will probably have the cast leave this film off their resumes.

This is a lovely film. A lesson on how to overcome life's setbacks and prejudices, take it on the chin, rise above it all and succeed.

You'd never, ever, get a movie like this in America because it doesn't blame anyone and it places personal responsibility for progress on the dispossessed.

We've seen the theme many times where Blacks or Indians or Asians are sent by fate into an alien society and this story unfolds to show how the prejudices of the locals are overcome.

This French Ciné does it perfectly and I have to say that both the French and the Italians have a knack of presenting these stories in very heartwarming and forgiving ways. Maybe it's from their respective years of colonial rule... who knows why?

The Black African doctor and his family arrive from Zaire to take up a post in a rural French village and of course nobody can accept it. Undeterred, the Doctor does everything he can to win the confidence and friendship of the villagers and he does so with his personal charm and the innocence of his wife and kids.

If only it could be that easy in the rest of the world, the newspapers and TV news channels would be out of business!

Superb acting by Marc Zinga and Aissa Maiga carry the movie along and the kids are as cute as buttons. Many scenes have you biting your lip with emotion and it won't spoil anything to tell you that you'll feel pretty good about humanity at the end.

Well worth watching, 'cos it will teach you that there is a way out of the current racial roadblock.

Lost in Picardy a black doctor succeeds after some difficulties, in a small village. Nice story, with a lot of good actors. A special word for Rufus, always precise and so human.

Great movie, should of been nominated for awards as well as some recognition for an international film! I have watched this film over and over and I love it just as much the first time I had watched it. Where were the critics on this one? Clearly great movie missed for well deserved awards.