Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
André Wilms | ... | Marcel Marx | |
Kati Outinen | ... | Arletty | |
Jean-Pierre Darroussin | ... | Monet | |
Blondin Miguel | ... | Idrissa | |
Elina Salo | ... | Claire | |
Evelyne Didi | ... | Yvette | |
![]() |
Quoc Dung Nguyen | ... | Chang (as Quoc-Dung Nguyen) |
![]() |
Laïka | ... | Laïka - Dog |
![]() |
François Monnié | ... | Epicier |
![]() |
Little Bob | ... | Little Bob (as Roberto Piazza) |
Pierre Étaix | ... | Docteur Becker | |
Jean-Pierre Léaud | ... | Le dénonciateur | |
![]() |
Vincent Lebodo | ... | Francis |
![]() |
Umban U'kset | ... | Mahamat Saleh |
![]() |
Patrick Bonnel | ... | Le directeur du centre de rétention |
A dock worker in Le Havre hears a human sound inside one of the containers in port, that container which left Gabon three weeks ago and which was supposed to arrive in London five days after its departure from Gabon, which didn't happen. The Le Havre police and French border guards find a still alive group of illegal African immigrants inside. On the sign from one of his elders, a young teen boy among the illegal immigrants manages to escape, news of which hits the local media. The first friendly face that boy, Idrissa, encounters is that of former artist now aged shoeshine Marcel Marx. Marcel decides to help Idrissa by hiding him in his house, news which slowly trickles through his community of friends - most of whom he associates with at his local bar - and neighbors, most who assist Marcel in this task. Marcel goes to great lengths to find out Idrissa's story, which leads to Marcel's further task of trying to get Idrissa to London, his original end destination. The one neighbor who... Written by Huggo
Protagonist is Marcel Marx, A Shoeshiner, who makes a peaceful living with his wife Arletty and a dog Laika in city of Le Havre. He incidentally meets an African boy, Idrissa, who is being sought by French authorities as illegal immigrant. Marcel opens his doors to the boy and helps him make his way to join his mother across the water in London.
Despite the complication of Arletty's terminal illness, about which Marcel is not aware, the snooping of grim-faced inspector Monet, and the machinations of the neighborhood snitch, with the help of neighbors and friends that Marcel was deeply in debt to forgive everything for Idrissa, Marcel tries to help the boy.
Kudos to Aki Kaurismäki, the director of Le Havre, for his directorial talent he has exhibited in this movie. No loose ends, characterization and usage of every character is excellent and has kept it very simple by all means.
Once in while you get to watch such an optimistic film that shows love, respect and tolerance for one another in a very simple and practical manner.
Follow Us @ : https://www.facebook.com/theworldmoviejournal
Reviews @ : http://theworldmoviejournal.wordpress.com/