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André Wilms, Kati Outinen, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Blondin Miguel, Elina Salo ... see more see more... , Evelyne Didi , Nguyen Quoc Dung , Laika , Francois Monnie , Roberto Piazza , Pierre Étaix , Jean-Pierre Léaud

In this warmhearted portrait of the French harbor city that gives the film its name, fate throws young African refugee Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) into the path of Marcel Marx (André Wilms), a well-spoke... read more read more...n bohemian who works as a shoeshiner. With innate optimism and the unwavering support of his community, Marcel stands up to officials doggedly pursuing the boy for deportation. A political fairy tale that exists somewhere between the reality of contemporary France and the classic cinema of Jean-Pierre Melville and Marcel Carné, Le Havre is a charming, deadpan delight. -- (C) Official Site

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75% liked it

3,806 ratings

Critics

99% liked it

81 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Aki Kaurismäki

Release Date: October 21, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (194)

  • c0up
    March 31, 2012
    c0up
    'Le Havre'. A whimsical, feel good tale with a very quirky look, direction and set of characters.
  • blacksheepboy
    January 18, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    Even if not special or memorable, this is an enjoyable film that invests well in a theatrical tone to tell a simple story. A comedic drama that makes curious use of a fable-like illumination and affected performances to turn a potentially dense drama into a light, funny experience.
  • moviewaffle
    April 11, 2012
    moviewaffle
    Affable shoe-shine man Wilms takes up the cause of illegal immigrant Miguel who is seeking passage from the title port to join his mother in London.

    From a purely stylistic viewpoint, this movie is beautiful with an eye-popping colour palette not seen in French cinema since th... read moree seventies. Of course it's writer-director is an outsider with a romantic view of France, and arguably immigration, purely gleaned from the country's pop culture. Frankly if I were French I'd find the stereotypical tableau on display here quite offensive. Wilms exists on a diet of fresh baguettes and wine while the local cafe plays whimsical chansons from fifty years ago. I almost expected a mime to turn up with garlic strung around his neck.
    Scratch beneath the surface and there's little holding this together. Wilms is charming in a fairytale grandfather sort of way but most of the other cast members are wooden, in particular Finnish actress Outinen. Maybe she struggles with the French language but the desk I'm writing this on has more personality.
    The problem with European cinema is that it's an old boys network. If you're an established film-maker like Kaurismaki you don't have to worry about funding so you can churn out half-developed scripts like this. The ending of this is so bad that a primary school English teacher would throw it back in the face of the pupil who submitted it. (It wasn't all a dream but it wasn't far off.)
    If you have a romanticised naive vision of Europe you might enjoy this. If like me you actually live here this will just be lamentable for the wrong reasons. There are beautiful images in this film, they just don't work so well strung together over ninety minutes.
    For a French language movie about the kindness of strangers go watch "The Kid With A Bike", this one's not worth the schlepp.
  • gator681
    November 27, 2011
    gator681
    Marcel Marx(Andre Wilms) is a shoeshine who makes a sparse living in Le Havre and has more than his share of his debts. His wife Arletty(Kati Outinen) dutifully stands by him while unbeknowst to him, she is very ill. Meanwhile, sounds are heard from a shipping container near th... read moree harbor and the police, fearing the worst, are called in. Luckily, all of the would be immigrants seem not the worse for wear. So, Idrissa(Blondin Miguel), a young boy, with a little encouragement from his grandfather makes a break for it. To his credit, Inspector Monet(Jean-Pierre Darroussin) stops a police officer from getting off a shot, allowing him to get away.

    Outside of the changed setting, "Le Havre" might appear to seem like a normal Aki Kaurismaki movie on the surface, as it contains some of his usual touches, along with Kati Outinen in the cast. On the other hand, it is also one of his most topical movies while also one of his most optimistic, even if it is a little predictable at the end. Regardless, the movie almost feels entirely timeless, as about the only sign of present day technology is the most malicious act being carried out by a cell phone. And I think what Kaurismaki is getting at is that in the past people did not act out of fear and were actually much kinder towards each other. So, my question is do Marcel's neighbors act differently towards him when Idrissa comes into his life or is it because his wife falls ill? Or are the events connected even if they do not at first appear to be so?
  • hawkledge
    March 24, 2012
    hawkledge
    Sweet, lovely drama centering on good things happening to good people. A real gem.
  • fb1066418595
    February 10, 2012
    fb1066418595
    From one of my favorite filmmakers, Aki Kaurasmaki, Le Havre is a a movie about morality and miracles. Like Kaurasmaki's earlier films it is bleak, but with his signature vibrant colors in every shot, with a delightful cast of people who are to Hollywood actors like bulldogs are... read more to poodles. Vince says it's a remake of Casa Blanca.

View All Le Havre Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jon Frosch
March 7, 2012
Jon Frosch, The Atlantic

Endearingly quirky, just this side of precious, but so warm and deftly executed that you go along with it. Full Review

Tom Long
January 13, 2012
Tom Long, Detroit News

"Le Havre" is a passing fancy of a film, but it passes quite nicely indeed. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
December 2, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

'Tis the season, so the saying goes. And when it comes to Aki Kaurismäki, it holds true. The Finnish writer-director arrives bearing a gift wrapped in a contemporary immigration fable. Full Review

Steven Rea
November 25, 2011
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

If the bummers and ambiguity of some of this season's movies are getting you down - or, hey, just the bummers and ambiguities of life - make your way to Le Havre. You won't be sorry. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
November 10, 2011
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The Finnish director's sense of humor is dry and dark as pitch, as he consistently finds moments of absurdity in the midst of strife and tragedy. Full Review

Wesley Morris
November 10, 2011
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Kaurismäki wrote the script, I think, with secret credit from Mother Goose and some fabric softener. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
November 10, 2011
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

"Le Havre" is a small bit of movie magic, a story that plays more as a fable even as it deals with something as topical as immigration. Full Review

Ben Sachs
November 3, 2011
Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

The film is especially comforting if you love old movies, as Kaurismaki does. Full Review

Michael Phillips
November 3, 2011
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Does Kaurismaki believe in his own fairy tale? The movie, a humble delight, suggests the answer is yes. Full Review

Peter Howell
November 3, 2011
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

An exceeding droll comedy from Finnish master Aki Kaurismaki, whose dark worldview is balanced by a deep empathy for his blue-collar characters. Full Review

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