Le Havre

99% of critics liked it

74% of users liked it

André Wilms, Kati Outinen
In theaters Oct 21, 2011
Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.

Movie Info

Cast: André Wilms, Kati Outinen, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Blondin Miguel, Elina Salo, Evelyne Didi, Nguyen Quoc Dung, Laika, Francois Monnie, Roberto Piazza
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Rated: Unrated
Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min.
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Theater Release: Oct 21, 2011
DVD Release: Jul 31, 2012
Synopsis: 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-spoken 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

Critic Reviews

  • Jon Frosch, The Atlantic
    Endearingly quirky, just this side of precious, but so warm and deftly executed that you go along with it. More...
  • Tom Long, Detroit News
    "Le Havre" is a passing fancy of a film, but it passes quite nicely indeed. More...
  • 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. More...
  • 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. More...
  • 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. More...
  • Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
    You almost become a citizen of Le Havre, watching this film and rejoicing at the end as two newfound, unexpected friends share a drink. More...
  • Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
    Kaurismäki wrote the script, I think, with secret credit from Mother Goose and some fabric softener. More...
  • 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. More...
  • Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader
    The film is especially comforting if you love old movies, as Kaurismaki does. More...
  • Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
    Does Kaurismaki believe in his own fairy tale? The movie, a humble delight, suggests the answer is yes. More...