Review of Le Havre (2011) by Richard W — 12 Jan 2012
Aki Kaurismäki takes his trademark social romantic style to a small town in France, where poor common people are struggling for everyday survival. Yet in those quarters of need resides an uncompromising principle of compassion and sense of community.
In the center of the story is Marcel, an old man who makes his living by shining shoes on the streets of Le Havre. He comes across an African boy who has fled police after being caught as an illegal immigrant. Marcel and the people in his quarter take it upon themselves to help the boy escape from the persecuting police forces.
Kaurismäki takes as current a subject as he can get and does with it what he does best: create a stylized, beautiful motion picture that- underneath his trademark romanticism- makes sharp observations and takes a bold, largely unpopular stand. He uses the power of compassion to paradoxically cut through the emotional into the factual, making his case well and with artistic clarity.
This review of Le Havre (2011) was written by Richard W on 12 Jan 2012.
Le Havre has generally received positive reviews.
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