Le Havre

An intelligent 'feel-good' movie. Never hectic, fast, or noisy -- the almost leisurely pace effectively builds more than enough suspense for me. Of course, I KNEW what would happen -- it was the careful unwinding of events that was the pleasure. Characters are given enough space for one to feel that each one would make another interesting tale. I liked that the viewer is given time to savor all the nuance of place and custom, and that there was plenty of time to see and to smile.

This is such a beautiful movie! Very quiet, reduced, but the message of the heart is communicated strongly without the help of artificial effects. The story of an ordinary shoe polisher who happens to see an african boy who is on the run. His community - barkeeper, grocery seller, baker - all contribute to help one lost boy get to his mother. Very very beautiful and impressive. I think I will buy the movie.

This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

This is the most overlooked of 2011. Those who disliked it simply may dislike Aki's unique Finnish style of direction, retro sets and props which look as if they are pulled out of 1960s Soviet Union, and odd dry sense of humor- this is his best film in 3 decades of film making. Don't be fooled by the inital appearance of a politically correct film in support of immigration, this goes far beyond it's surface appearance of a film attempting to shame Europeans for not enjoying the recent endless crowds of immigrants without jobs, a common language or culture who are brought over by economists' inhumane mathematical calculations on how much cheap labor is needed for a given economic cycle. This film does include some vague political allusions, it's main character's name is Marx for example, but not really anything you can put a finger on. It is basically a film about what is good in humanity, and this is shown in a surprising, cliche free way. I don't think I come away from a film with such a good feeling in a while. Highly recommended!

It's as if the actors were commenting on their own performances. I suppose most of these positive reviews enjoy that sense of other, but I found myself frustratingly ahead of every moment. Where is the restraint? Was there any austerity? I feel like I watched a French version of a hollywood blockbuster where the "meaning" of every moment is hammered into the brain. And then a few extra whacks for good measure. Yes, it has a lovely message. But how many minutes did we endure well-meaning characters staring piquantly at the near mute African boy? That is not a scene! That is an idea which could be conveyed in a moment, not a minute!

Pulls you in and keeps you in until the very last second. Leaves you with a warm, magical feeling.

Perhaps most iTunes customers are unfamiliar with the times and places that this gem pays homage to. Nevertheless, any Francophile worth his salt will immediately recognize that a kindred spirit is at the helm of this gentle giant. What's more, Le Harvre is the least emotionally painful "French" film ever produced: Unlike every other movie à la française, the emotional pay-off at the end does not come at the expense of two hours of fatalist torture. I never thought I'd see the day.

It is entertaining, and quite a story, it should be more than 5 stars!

saw this at an open air summer kino in berlin. a lovely movie event with beach chairs food beer on a sloping stone ground and cool night sky. the movie is good but my memory of it all is even better. humanistic