Dalida (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Dalida is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Lisa Azuelos, starring Riccardo Scamarcio, Vincent Perez and Patrick Timsit. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $5.6 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 7m (127 min)
- Director
- Lisa Azuelos
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- NFP Marketing & Distribution
- Budget
- $15M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Dalida About?
The premise of Dalida without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This poignant biography explores the remarkable life and career of Dalida, a singer who rose from war-torn Egypt to achieve international fame. The film portrays her journey from a difficult childhood to a celebrated 30-year reign filled with iconic hits and sold-out performances. Dalida faced personal tragedies, including the loss of three lovers, which deeply impacted her life and career, ultimately shaping her enduring legacy as a beloved and influential artist.
Dalida Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- paris france
- character name as title
- france
- 1950s
- 1960s
- 1970s
- 1980s
- 1930s
- world music
- suicide
- singing
- new york city
+38 more Show fewer
- cannes france
- loss of loved one
- singing in a car
- based on real person
- feeding an animal
- feeding a dog
- cairo egypt
- egypt
- film shoot
- year 1986
- reference to louis de funes
- vomiting
- bathtub
- dispute
- anorexia
- restaurant
- show
- year 1979
- prison
- gunshot
- abortion
- dog
- airplane
- year 1972
- montmartre paris
- death
- watching tv
- india
- year 1971
- voice over letter
- voice over
- letter
- cigarette smoking
- pregnancy
- snow
- snowing
- christmas
- blood
Dalida Cast
Riccardo Scamarcio leads the cast, with Vincent Perez and Patrick Timsit. Directed by Lisa Azuelos; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Lisa Azuelos
Also Starring in Dalida
· 9 moreMore from Lisa Azuelos
More films directed by Lisa Azuelos, best-rated first: I Love America, My Way, The Book of Wonders and 14 Million Screams.
Dalida Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Dalida 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Dalida Echo Score Breakdown
Dalida presents a mixed reception, with praise for its lead performance and musical integration but criticism for its narrative focus and coherence. Viewers commend Sveva Alviti’s portrayal and the evocative use of Dalida’s own voice, while critics point to abrupt pacing and reliance on romantic episodes. The film’s strengths lie in its engaging biopic style and authentic period details, but its uneven structure and occasional shallow character exploration temper its overall impact. Ultimately, it offers intriguing moments within an imperfect biographical framework.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of direction and visual construction, Dalida displays polished production design and authentic shooting locations that evoke the singer’s world. The film benefits from careful framing and period-appropriate set pieces, yet its editing choices—particularly the frequent flashback structure—can feel disorienting and disrupt narrative clarity. The cinematography captures both intimate performance moments and broader social milieus effectively. Overall, the art direction maintains a high level of authenticity despite episodic pacing interruptions.
- Character & Emotion 72
In terms of character depth and emotional resonance, Sveva Alviti’s performance anchors the film with a committed embodiment of Dalida’s persona. Many viewers appreciate her physical resemblance and nuanced gestures, lending credibility to both onstage and private scenes. Supporting actors also contribute meaningful chemistry, though some critics note limited exploration of Dalida’s inner motivations beyond romantic turmoil. Taken together, the character portrayal is strong in individual moments yet falls short of fully illuminating her complex identity.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and pacing, the biopic seeks to cover Dalida’s extensive life but sometimes relies too heavily on montages and romantic vignettes. Reviews highlight meticulous chronological detail from her breakout in Europe to personal tragedies, yet others criticize a superficial focus on relationships at the expense of career milestones. The film’s rapid transitions and script organization produce uneven engagement, reducing potential depth. Overall, the narrative is informative but uneven in coherence and flow.
- Sensory Experience 75
When it comes to the sensory experience, Dalida excels through its rich musical integration and a soundtrack that features the artist’s own voice. Audiences praise the emotional power of song sequences and the authentic period sound design, which immerses viewers in the era. Visually, the film employs a cohesive palette and soundscapes that reinforce its biographical intent. Although the prevalence of musical numbers occasionally overshadows dramatic scenes, the sensory elements remain a primary asset.
- Rewatch Factor 65
In terms of rewatch value, Dalida offers moments that reward repeat viewings, especially the detailed musical performances and key scenes of emotional intensity. Fans of the singer may revisit specific sequences to appreciate song timing and on-set authenticity. However, due to its uneven narrative pacing and limited exploration of certain life phases, casual viewers might find fewer reasons to return. Overall, the film holds appeal for dedicated fans but less so for a broader rewatch audience.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 40% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 83%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
33 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Dalida Plot Summary
What happens in Dalida from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1967, Dalida makes a desperate hotel exit that ends in suicide attempts, and the people closest to her rush in to piece together the many facets of her life. Standing with her are three men who each see a different side of who she is: her ex-husband Lucien Morisse, her former lover Jean Sobieski, and her brother Orlando (Bruno). Together, they lay out a story of a woman whose inner world was shaped by love, fame, insecurity, and a fierce drive to create.
Full summary
The whole story of Dalida, scene by scene
Dalida Box Office & Budget
Dalida grossed $5.6 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 37% of what it cost. $3,465 came from the US and Canada and $5.6 million (100%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$5.6M
37% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $3.5K
- International
- $5.6M
- Budget
- $15M
Dalida Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Dalida.
How Well Do You Know Dalida?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who discovered Dalida in Paris and later became her husband?
Cars in Dalida
16 cars on screen, including the 1971 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce and the Bentley S-Type.
-
1971 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce Important role -
Bentley S-Type Minor role -
1968 Citroën DS 21 Ambulance Minor role -
1965 Ford Mustang Minor role
Dalida Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “絕代天后黛莉達” and “Ciao Amore... Dalida”.
- Also known as
-
- 絕代天后黛莉達
- Ciao Amore... Dalida
- Любовь и страсть. Далида
- Далида
- Dalida. Skazana na miłość
- Любов і пристрасть. Даліда
- 达琳达
- 달리다
- Tôi Là Dalida
Seen Dalida?
Movies Like Dalida
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dalida, Aline and Céline.
Dalida FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Dalida, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Dalida?
Dalida runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).
When was Dalida released?
Dalida was released on September 1, 2017.
Who directed Dalida?
Dalida was directed by Lisa Azuelos.
More films by Lisa Azuelos Who is in the cast of Dalida?
Dalida stars Riccardo Scamarcio, Vincent Perez and Patrick Timsit, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Dalida make at the box office?
Dalida grossed $5.6 million worldwide ($3,465 domestic, $5.6 million international) on a budget of $15 million.
How is Dalida rated?
Dalida has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Dalida have a post-credit scene?
No. Dalida has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Dalida in?
The original language of Dalida is French.
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