Quick Movie Review: A Prophet (2009)

A Prophet (2009)

Bottomline: Solid prison drama with great performances by Tahar Rahim and Niels Arestrup.

Caveat: This is a prison film so it is rough.

SUBTITLE ALERT: It is in French, Arabic, and Corsican. So, yes, there are subtitles.

QMR Opinion: Rahim plays Malik in this French film. Malik is 19 and is put into prison where he becomes an Arab servant for the Corsican gang that runs the prison. Malik soon learns the ropes and begins to turn the tide. Calling this film “gritty” would be cliche. It takes place in a French prison so it can’t help but be gritty. Arestrup plays the head Corsican gangster, and he wears malevolence well. It is fascinating to watch as Malik evolves from a scared kid to a mature gangster. Tight direction from Jacques Audiard.