Le Havre

The droll, deadpan style of writer-director Aki Kaurismäki is evident in his latest film, which revolves around a shoeshine man in the titular French port who helps a young African boy on the run from immigration authorities to reach his mother in England. What could easily have been a heavy-handed screed instead comes across as a charming fable thanks to Kaurismäki's light touch and gifted cast (even the presence of a scene-stealing dog doesn't tip it into bathos). Tall and angular André Wilms stars as shoeshine man Marcel Marx, who instinctively hides young Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) from pursuing Inspector Monet (Jean-Pierre Darroussin), a Javert-like stickler for the rules. Meanwhile, Marcel's dutiful, loving wife, Arletty (Kati Outinen), falls ill and winds up being rushed to the hospital. Informed that her condition is critical, Arletty conceals that fact from her husband to spare him pain. But even though things look bleak, Marcel's neighbors unexpectedly pitch in to help him with the boy, and the man's kindness to a complete stranger is ultimately rewarded in this engaging modern fairy-tale. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a 2011 Finnish TV interview with costar Kati Outinen (48 min.), a Cannes Film Festival press conference (45 min.), a new interview with costar André Wilms (13 min.), a French TV interview with cast and crew (12 min.), “Little Bob in Concert” footage of the musician featured in the film (8 min.), trailers, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Michael Sicinski and a 2011 conversation between director Aki Kaurismäki and film historian Peter von Bagh. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning film.] (F. Swietek)