Le Havre
2011 Directed by Aki Kaurismäki
Synopsis
Marcel Marx, a former bohemian and struggling author, has given up his literary ambitions and relocated to the port city Le Havre. He leads a simple life based around his wife Arletty, his favourite bar and his not too profitable profession as a shoeshiner. As Arletty suddenly becomes seriously ill, Marcel's path crosses with an underage illegal immigrant from Africa, who needs Marcel's help to hide from the police.
Cast
Popular reviews
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Despite nearly always enjoying the films of Aki Kaurismäki I find it hard ever to be enthusiastic about his work. In the end they are often deadpan, quirky and charming diversions that rarely leave much of an impression after the credits have rolled. Sadly, Le Havre continues this trend although it is arguably one of the director’s best films to date.
Le Havre is a fable about a small community in the titular Normandy port who harbour an illegal immigrant boy. It is a very sweet little film about community and an incorruptible innocence. Kaurismäki has often shown an interest in the underdog and those on the fringes of society and here is no difference. There is a great warmth…
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There are two common responses to filmmakers with very distinct styles and tones that don't move around too much from picture to picture: 1. you're blown away by the first taste and every subsequent thing you see can't match your First Great Fix 2. Each film builds on the other, and every movie seems better than the last. I think Aki Kaurismäki may inspire the second in me.
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Saving the best for last? Maybe.
One of the most heartwarming and moving films I've seen this year. And saying that, I know that some Kaurismäki fans may have struggled a bit with all this joy and kindness. This is unlike any of his films that I have seen (and I've been through most). However I didn't think it mattered at all. I just loved this story.
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A quiet, delightful French tale from director Aki Kaurismaki, a man I've heard a lot about but before today hadn't seen anything from. Le Havre is the story of an elderly man played by Andre Wilms (though in both looks and temperament he reminds me of Jean-Louis Trintignant) who cares for an African immigrant boy and protects him from the police. A quiet and nice movie; there's little to dislike here, and this is a film you should certainly try and see.
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This one left a strange feeling behind. Referring to another review, I’d also call it a little “underwhelming” - but in a strangely positive way. To be honest I couldn't say Le Havre has a very deep meaning or philosophical depth. It’s all about a shoe-polisher who tries to help a refugee boy stranded in France. Even though it does not appear very profound it is still highly contemporary. Le Have is a movie about imbalance, freedom, compassion and generosity even in times of crisis.
Of course, it has it’s Kaurismaki moments, such as strange and dry dialogues ("Won't you buy something inspector?" "A pineapple." "A pineapple it is."), strange looking people staring into space, a vague 70s appeal and… -
A really cute movie. I really appreciate a simple story told with a lot of style!
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Film 18 of Kyle's Travel through 30 Countries in 30 Days
Country: Finland
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In 30 Films Around The World (2/30): Finland
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A really cute movie. I really appreciate a simple story told with a lot of style!
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Still just as adorable as the first time. Man do I love the look of this film. God bless digital color correction for making it possible to approximate the look of olde thyme Technicolor. Only on this viewing did I notice that the informant was played by Jean-Pierre Léaud. Little Antoine Doinel is so old!
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Really enjoyable French film with a simple plot and style but so easy to watch with realistic Characters and very heart felt.89mins too and it flies by
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Kaurismäkis aesthetic floors me once again. A serious theme, but, as always, with a humoristic undertone.
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Una aproximación colorista. atemporal y dulcemente melancólica, libre de demagogias y discursos pretenciosos, al drama de la inmigración. Un Kaursimaki optimista y magistral en pleno dominio expresivo.
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Another sweet little film. I liked it the first time too. Although things happening in the movie are totally unrealistic, after watching the movie, you get this feeling of warmth... and smile on your face as well :)
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Quite a nice feel-good movie with some great cinematography. Not that memorable but definitely a good film.