Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Wordiezett So much average

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

ShangLuda Admirable film.

mmunier From my new country Australia but where I have spent nearly two third of my life, I really enjoyed this little trip back in France! Although the topic is not that of a holiday since it's about people looking for a better world and so becoming illegal immigrants. But the story concentrates more on one of them.... It's a charming story where people seem to be themselves, regardless of the circumstances, to remain "human beings" above all. It's sweet at time funny. I'm fond of J P Daroussin but did not know the other actors. So in one way it was refreshing but also rewarding to see someone whose acting I enjoy. I have never been to Le Havre so it was not really a trip down memory lane. And I was a little surprised to feel that the period did not seem to match with the year I expected it to be. I researched a little for my own satisfaction and read a very well written review from the New York Times ..."The film itself seems to belong to another era" It certainly did for me I kept struggling to feel whether I was in the 1930 or 40 years latter. It was a gentle ride and I enjoyed it very much.

ao590 This was one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen. You could pause very nearly every shot and use it as screensaver or make a large print of it; that's how beautiful and well thought out they are. Aki Kaurismäki evokes a sense of times past. He embraces the 'unreality' of his film, and the genre as a whole, and plays it up with great wit and art. As mentioned by previous reviews, he combines tragedy and comedy seamlessly into an extremely enjoyable and engaging film that doesn't try to pass itself off as life and as such engages on much deeper levels than its straightforward message or story would perhaps imply.There are so many small details and well-thought out quirks here that keep your attention that it easily accommodates for my internet fried attention span, even while the director chooses not to openly deal with the electronic world. It's a decision indicative of the thoughtful and unique approach to the film; it aids both the storyline and the viewer's experience immensely. I was grateful and relieved to be taken away into a simpler and more honest world; both in the film's outward image, and within the story's universe. Its worth emphasising; this film doesn't try to masquerade as real life and as such allows for a much purer enjoyment. You don't have to worry about checking your expectations once the end credits roll.Being beautifully shot may not have kept my attention for an hour and half, but the storyline and Kaurismäki's wit certainly did.

FilmCriticLalitRao It would not be an understatement to suggest that in today's hostile, inhuman world where human sentiments have been replaced by deeper technological penetration, more and more films are needed to soothe world's sorrows and troubles. One way of doing it is to create films with a good combination of entertainment with a serious message. Aki Kaurismaki's "Le Havre" is one such film which has managed to please both critics as well as general public with its effective depiction of the plight of illegal immigrants who need to be dealt with in a more humane manner. An astute viewer can guess that the making of "Le Havre" should be construed as a kind of serious artistic challenge for Aki Kaurismaki as most of his films have portrayed Finnish realities in Finland. It is nice to learn that he has successfully scored good marks in this test as "Le Havre" has all the amazing qualities of a Finnish film which has been made in a different setting. Although it is shot by Aki Kaurismaki in Le Havre, a famous French port city,there is absolutely no change of style on his part. Aki Kausrismaki is as much concerned about the plight of his protagonists as he was in his Finnish films. He has kept his ubiquitous formula intact which concerns a problem that needs to be solved regardless of innumerable obstacles. However, this film succeeds to a double degree as there are two problems in hand which have been justly resolved namely the plight of an immigrant black boy and ill health of the protagonist's wife. Lastly,French actor Jean Pierre Darroussin shines as he continually reminds viewers of Inspecteur Javert.

Apu Garnesh I made the mistake of watching this (and hence costing me 93 minutes of my life) just because it garnered a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I wish to deter anyone else from wasting time on this movie.A Family Guy character once said "It's either bad meat or good cheese...". Likewise, Le Havre is either a bad movie or good art.The acting is pretty bad, especially from the Gabonese boy.I don't know if this was supposed to be some sort of a throwback tribute to movies from a half-century ago, but the facial close ups and the dramatic and exaggerated actions (e.g. when the Gabonese boy runs from the container) were just a total bore and highly unamusing.The RT summary says "Aki Kaurismäki's deadpan wit hits a graceful note with Le Havre, a comedy/drama that's sweet, sad, and uplifting in equal measure." I could see the deadpan. But not the wit, nor the sweetness, nor the sadness, nor was I uplifted in anyway. I was just deeply annoyed.But of course, I didn't major in film history during college, so what would I know?Edit: I forgot to mention the bit where the wife is in hospital and her friends read her Kafka. I think I was supposed to go: "Oooh ... Kafka ... this must be a deep and profound movie."