Leon casino, 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