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“Un Prophete” / “A Prophet” (film review)

Posted on 05. Mar, 2010 by Henry-K in Movies, Views & Reviews

“Un Prophete” / “A Prophet”  (Sony Pictures Classics) 

Directed by Jacques Audiard. Starring: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb.  

Plot: Arriving to serve six years in prison, Malik El Djebena (played byTahar Rahim) is an iliterate Arab-Corsican. The 19 year-old Malik is quickly targetted and forced into serving a Corsican mob boss inside the brutal prison system. Carrying out risky missions gives Malik protection from other thugs but no real respect. Therefore, the young hustler learns his lessons fast and starts to claim his own place among the criminals inside and the world outside. 

Tahar Rahim as Malik in "A Prophet"

If  you are out to see a hard hitting, gangster (prison) drama equipped with a solid story with a raw look at crime, punishment and complexities of human nature, A Prophet will seal, sign and deliver the goods. 

L-R: Actor Tahar Rahim, writer Thomas Bidegain, and director Jacques Audiard of 'A Prophet' at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival - photo: Getty Images; N. America

Tight Tight screenwriting! A sharp tone, and great dialogues, with smart words, put into the mouths of truly multi-dimensional characters – life-like back-and-forth. 

Not to be a dick and criticize thinking I am in position to do so, but the use of American music was just a bit cheesey.  However, I blame that on wanting a wider international appeal…., O.K. an American appeal!!! 

All in all “Un Prophete” is a well thought-out story, constructed to tell it visually and vocally. 

I loved the use of close ups on the hero, Malik’s face, as if director-screenwriter Jacques Audiard realized early on that in his actor, Tahar Rahim’s face is the weapon, and perhaps the best subject on his rich, multi-layered canvas.   

Tahar Rahim

And let me tell you about Tahar Rahim. He is a force of nature. 

Rahim is as intense as Gary Oldman, and Christian Bale, possesing the charm and machismo of a young Micky Rourke, or Antonio Banderas, while holding on to the unique innocence that even a 19-year-old thug can hold deep inside. 

I don’t know why, but in this refreshingly capable actor, Tahar’s entire presence kept ringing one name in my head….River Phoenix; and I mean that in a sincere way and as a compliment. 

 Go out there and see this movie a.s.a.p.