A Prophet

A Prophet

A Prophet

While not quite the masterpiece of the two films I've seen it most compared to - 'The Godfather' and 'Goodfellas' – it's still an excellent, complex prison drama that works on multiple levels; personal, emotional, political, social. A young, blank slate 19 year old Muslim is put in prison with hardened lifers and mobsters. In keeping alive and making connections he grows ever smarter but ever colder. Some truly disturbing scenes, and the implied political issues of immigrants and people who fit in nowhere bring a different twist to the gangster epic, while commenting a lot of current issues in society at large. I also admired Audiard finding a unique style in a genre that has been done so many times. And the performances by the two leads are truly striking. At 155 minutes the film feels a bit long, and the 2nd half has a few needlessly confusing twists and turns on a plot level, but all that faded on 2nd viewing.

This film has its reputation and you have great expectations. Is this really a new way of giving this old favourite, the jail drama, new clothes? Unfortunately it isn't. The Arab boy goes to a French prison, there this Corsican gang rules. He is forced to do things for them. Dreadful things. He's a chameleon, who takes all his colors from the surroundings and will do that for the rest of his life. Also when he tries to be independent. But you can't really say that this is told in a new way. It could have been more interesting if Muslim culture would have been put in collision with an environment outside civilisation. This film doesn't really take that chance.

I found this film interesting in its depiction of the improbably rise of a young prison inmate from scared and abused newbie to some sort of crime boss. But the film lacks heart. The main character, whose ability to maneuver between the prison's various ethnic factions is the key to his survival and eventual ascendancy to crime-lordship, is an enigma to his prison cohorts and remains a sphinx to the audience as well. We never really get to know anything about the main character and there's never an opportunity to feel any real sympathy for the youngster as he quickly moves from pawn to willing conspirator in a host of violent crimes. Overall, an interesting depiction of prison life but without much emotional impact.

I am quite selective in watching prison-related films as life in there is either glorified or gloomy; in most cases, the "starring inmate" is, in fact, not guilty. As to Un prophète, this is not the case: Malik El Djebena (giftedly performed by Tahar Rahim) was sentenced to six years in prison for attacking police officers. Life is tough due to corruption, ethnic gangs, overall brutality and harsh living conditions - apart from selected bosses... But life goes on and everyone has to adapt themselves, and that of Malik's is depicted in a thrilling and realistic way. The viewers may share the feelings, but there is hardly compassion available. And I hope that many potential crooks would consider if they are eager to enter such kind of institution... Prisons in Nordic countries, for example, are more or less holiday homes with barred windows. It is a good film and no wonder that it was won so many acclaimed awards.

A young man (Rahim) gets sent to prison for 6 years. Because of his Arab background he is used by a mafia boss to complete a difficult task and thereafter learns how to survive prison life and indeed, get ahead. Hard to imagine how so much exciting and moving storyline can get into a 2 and a half hour film. The whole affair is utterly believable with Rahim gains our interest and sympathies throughout. Despite the terrible things he has to do to get along, you so want him to succeed - whether he does finally survive with so many dangerous people around him, adds to the tension. A must see - amazing Hollywood hasn't yet remade / ruined the story.

Films like 'un Prophete' benefit from their simplicity. The story is told in chronological order, straight, to the point, not wavering from the brutal point of view of its character. It didn't necessarily need to be told this way. The story is so rich and intricate that it could have been told many different ways from a myriad of angles and always would have been as fascinating and thrilling as this one is. But Un Prophete transcends because it plays simple, straight and true. The main character - an uneducated, murderous criminal by the name of Malik is portrayed by actor Tahar Rahim in one of the best performances I have seen in a movie. It's not even a performance, really, it's empathy. Excellent, haunting film.

Jacques Audiard's 'Un Heros Tres Discret' is a brilliant, under-rated film, and I've also enjoyed some of his other work. It was only with 'A Prophet', however, that he attracted widespread international acclaim. In some ways, this is a conventional story, albeit an uncompromising one, a tough and compelling tale of prison life and gang warfare. It's given a distinctive twist by being seen through the lens of French racial politics; yet the broad scope of the movie is familiar. That doesn't mean it isn't good; it's well acted, avoids giving in to easy sentiment at every point, and the plot doesn't feel rushed. The latter merit is perhaps unsurprising given it's two and a half hour length; at least as pertinent is the fact that, despite this duration, it never drags, although the end doesn't quite have the sheer kick of the start. It's nice to see Audriad get some much deserved credit; but check out his earlier films as well.