SIFF: Henri Henri

[scarlettina]

Henri has spent his entire life in a French-Canadian orphanage, learning from the nuns who run the place, and maintaining the light fixtures throughout the property. When the building is sold, Henri learns that he must leave and navigate a world for which he is unprepared. By following the signs, he finds himself a job at a lighting store and a small, unlikely group of friends. His next great adventure: winning the heart of the winsome--and blind--Helene (whose name means "light"--yes, it's a theme). It's one of those "naif encounters the world" movies that could have been either cloying or just sweetly engaging; this film is definitely the latter and was clearly a crowd pleaser. Its cinematography and production design create an other-worldly 1960s feel. Henri is a charming character for whom you can't help but root in his search for life, love and home. Delightful.