Le Havre

Le Havre (2011)

  • 99% of critics liked it
    (83 reviews)

  • 74% of users liked it
    (6,097 ratings)

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… More

Play Trailer

Unrated,
Directed By
Written By
Aki Kaurismäki
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Oct 21, 2011 Limited
On DVD
Jul 31, 2012
Janus Films

Critic Reviews

  • Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic

    We are so held by the film's impact that its ending, surprise or not, is like a bonus.

  • Jon Frosch, The Atlantic

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

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Read all 25 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Daniel P


    I liked the premise of this film, and it definitely had its moments, but overall, unfortunately, I found it kind of boring. Had the characters had a little more charm I think it could have been great, but I just didn't get behind them (your mileage may vary). Will check out other… More

  • Anthony L


    Although Lights in the Dusk had the lush visuals you'd expect from a Aki Kaurismäki film, it didn't quite have the heart of his previous work. I'm not sure his heart was in it but thankfully it is a relief to announce that he is back to form with Le Havre. It's not… More

  • c0up  


    'Le Havre'. A whimsical, feel good tale with a very quirky look, direction and set of characters.

  • Carlos M


    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.

  • The Movie W


    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 the… More

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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