Terminal illness, people smuggling and lean times aren’t normally the makings of a particularly funny film, but that is part of what makes Le Havre so special. Kaurismäki dares to poke fun at life, no matter how terrible, with warmth and humanity…
Terminal illness, people smuggling and lean times aren’t normally the makings of a particularly funny film, but that is part of what makes Aki Kaurismäki’s Le Havre so special. Kaurismäki dares to poke fun at life, no matter how terrible, with nothing short of warmth and humanity.
The film follows Marcel Marx (André Wilms), an aging shoe shiner quick to dodge his debts and push his luck with everyone but his loving wife Arletty (Kati Outinen). After a chance encounter with young illegal immigrant Idrissa (Blondin Miguel), who is being hunted by the immigration police, Marcel embarks on a journey to help the boy get to his intended destination of London.
Arletty is on a journey of her own, intent to battle cancer by herself lest she upset her husband with the news she may be dying. Things do not run smoothly for either Marx.
Arletty’s condition deteriorates as she undergoes treatment making concealing the truth from her husband ever more difficult, whilst Marcel is being dogged by Inspector Monet ( Jean-Pierre Darroussin) who is well aware of Marcel’s illegal charge. Along the way they receive help from long-suffering neighbours, pliable doctors, immigrants, and geriatric rockers who pepper the film with a familiar sense of French eccentricity.
Le Havre delivers on all levels. The humour is impeccable, Kaurismäki blends dry European wit with with ridiculous situational humour ensuring that the laughs feel fresh throughout. Cast and setting alike ignite that magical French filmic nostalgia, forever trapped in some beautiful bygone era, that helped make films such as Amélie so popular with English speaking audiences. Most importantly, Le Havre has a full-bodied story, dealing with illness and contemporary social issues in such a way that despite the humour, never feel as though they have been glossed over or under written.
Replete with fluffy farce, dry humour, a colourful cast of oddballs, and more than a little heart, Aki Kaurismäki’s Le Havre is everything light French comedy should be. A must see in this year’s festival line up.
By Haley Beatson
25 July 2011
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