Such a frustrating disappointment

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Blistering performances.

Film Review: "Un prophète" (2009)This picture has some hypnotism to its 150-Minute-Editorial, which seems at first glance slightly long for the straight subjective of an 20-something Native Arab in Central-France exchanging the "Detention Center" for hard-knock "Prison" facts, where he as the character of "Malik", extraordinary capable and well-directed by full-blown auteur-director Jacques Audiard in favor toward his leading actor Tahar Rahim, who makes a daily prison routine actually felt all the way through by confronting ruling nemesis character "César", performed by unmissable intense actor Niels Arestrup; together the youngster (Rahim) and the older man (Arestrup) burn fireworks of emotional beat work down to every inch captured on the screen, when cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine stays hand-held solid throughout as director Jacques Audiard keeps close attention on his leads, where even some loops of in-cell conflict reptition can be forgiven to let "A Prophet" become a modern "French Cinema" gem to be discovered or just revisit with currents of additonal emotional strikes by Alexandre Desplat's simplistic, yet effective score, where the picture lives stark concrete grey walls to metal-fence realities.Copyright 2018 Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC

Acting/Cast: PR: Elite - 90 - Man oh man Tahar Rahim is superb in this film. He doesn't miss a beat and his performance is one to behold as he betrays an array of emotions and does so in convincing fashion. Niels Arestrup is also something to marvel as he plays his role to an absolute tee. The supporting cast is superb and there are no real weak spots here outside of some very subtle overacting in spots.Directing/Production: PR: Strong - 85 - While a bit lengthy at 2hrs and 35mins, it all serves a purpose. The movie has a genuine depressing feel to it, which is exactly what it wants the viewer to feel and it succeeds. There are some spots that I felt were a bit odd, but overall I enjoyed the film and thought it had a great pace. Probably undervalued is the music throughout the film, which I was a big fan of.Story: PR: Elite - 90 - There is a lot to process in this story and the depth of it is where the greatness lies. I think you have to put it up there with some of the classic prison themed films out there as it has pretty much everything you would want for that genre. Entertainment Value: PR: Strong - 85 - You have to be able to get past the subtitles if you don't speak the languages throughout the film, but to me it doesn't take anything away from the product. From the time it fades in up until the credits roll it keeps your attention and has a great climax. I strongly recommend and believe most will enjoy.Power Rating: 87.5

A Prophet contrasts between gritty prison drama and romanticism of crime's luxuries. A Prophet in despite of this contradiction in terms was an engaging film whose atmospheric and hard-hitting qualities on prison life were transfixing.A Prophet's atmospheric qualities lied with Malik's experiences, a fresh prisoner transferred from youth offender to adult prison. A Prophet was decisive in establishing prison's harsh environment with Malik experiencing numerous harrowing moments which are bleakly toned, essential for A Prophet's narrative style. Such scenes' tone were perfected as they were left to settle for audiences to contemplate Malik's scenario. The hand-held cinematography's irregularity personified Malik's humiliation and anxiety within prison. Yet A Prophet also focused on other aspects of Malik's life. Malik lacked formal education which makes his prison life more difficult, adding to the tragedy of his situation. A Prophet again perfected bleak atmospheric tones to let audiences contemplate Malik's lack of formal education as a tragedy. It showed great direction from Jacques Audiard as capturing a bleak atmosphere effectively.A Prophet's representation on crime was mostly direct and brutal. Malik's time throughout prison involved him in various horrendous and dangerous tasks which were horrific not only for audiences but to Malik himself. Later Malik is shown to be increasingly haunted by his actions giving consequence to criminal activity. However A Prophet somewhat contradicted its' representation on crime as Malik became established into criminality, there were certain scenes of sensationalism. This dented A Prophet's representation of crime through taking away the gritty realism previously conveyed.A Prophet in regards to sensationalism was familiar by delving into such territory. Yet A Prophet's atmosphere and skillful direction concluded it to be a hugely satisfying drama capitulating the difficulties of prison life.

i first came across this movie in a international cinema and just from the 1 min preview clip it had me wanted to watch the movie. At first its always fascinating to know about the true and grit of another countries underworld and to compare it to others you've seen. so it sets place in a french prison were its dominated buy the Caucasians (mafia) and the Muslims. Malik is just a lone ranger when you first meet him he has no possessions and more than a couple of franks to his name things quickly escalate for him when the Caucasians boss Ceaser need a favor. I wont say no more on the story because it speaks for it self but its nice to see some fresh actors and a film that portraits the way things go on in prison from every day living to the gangs and i love the fact it the first prison film iv'e seen in a long time that has that started from the bottom to the top aspect of it.one of my all time films in any genre instant classic