Port of Shadows 1938 Lifes a rotten business, says Jean, a deserter who arrives at night in Le Havre, looking to leave the country He lucks into civilian clothes, a little bit of money, a passport, and a dog, and he also meets Nelly, a 17 year old whos grown up too fast Shes the object of lust of men including a boyfriend Maurice, her putative protector Zabel, and Lucien, a local hood Jean falls for her, faces down Lucien, and gives her courage to stand on her own feet A ship is leaving for Venezuela can at least one of them be on it, or is that just a dream