La Havre takes place in the French port city of the same name and encompasses several elements of world cinema. We have the polished deadpan style of Finish director/writer Aki Kurismaki and a story of outcasts from two continents that form a bond. La Havre is a dramedy meaning that at times you may be confused as whether to laugh or cry.

A struggling writer by profession and a shoeshine clerk by necessity Marcel (Andre Wilms) cares for his ailing wife (Kurismaki regular Kati Outinen), discovers an illegal alien boy from Africa and matches wits with a local constable, himself a conflicted character out of a Dostoyevsky novel.

Much of the plot revolves around Marcel’s efforts to rally local residents to the boy’s plight. Kurismaki shows a keen eye for color, as the film is gorgeous to look at, and character. Jean-Pierre Leaud shows up briefly to give a monologue. La Havre plays tonight at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston at 7 pm. and 5 pm. tomorrow.

- Michael Bergeron