Fantastic gritty, realistic depiction of life inside a French prison from start to finish.

I could really only identify a couple of small aspects were improvement was possible. The first of these was in the english subtitles (not really even a part of the film itself)- they are not always a great translation of the actual dialogue. The second is in the development of the central protagonists relationship and involvement with the Muslim within and outside the jail walls, this could have been given additional clarity.

However, as a cinema this film works all almost every level, effectively dragging us into Malik's world grim and realistic world.

Don't miss it.… Expand

Indeed, crime pays in "A Prophet", the gangster movie whose armed assault of film fests, awards shows, and critics' polls has made it the most widely valued French underworld thriller in decades, and the best developed crime drama in recent cinema history.
"A Prophet" follows the life of Malik (Tahar Rahim), a young Frenchman of Arab descent, who enters prison as an outsider and is shaped into an adult criminal from the inside. He seems an unlikely protagonist for a prison movie and he's behind bars for unclear reasons. He claims he's innocent, although it doesn't matter. Prison efficiently strips him of privacy and self-respect, and becomes a pawn to the Corsican gang that controls everything behind bars through violence and bribes. This gang is run by Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), a man who has a commanding presence, and walks everywhere followed by bodyguards. His spies see all that happens. He gives an order, and it is followed out. There is a prisoner there (Hichem Yacoubi) who Cesar wants killed. This man must not live to testify. Malik is instructed by Cesar's lieutenant how to conceal a razor blade in his mouth and slit the man's throat. It is very simple. If Malik doesn't do this, he will die. When Malik seeks help from the warden, he quickly finds out that Cesar calls the shots in this prison. Malik has never killed anyone before and struggles with the notion, and carrying out the act--killing someone up close, turns into a bloody skirmish, everything is covered in blood. Malik escapes only because Cesar has had the wing cleared out. In the years to come, Malik transforms before our very eyes. He learns how to read, how to observe others, how to measure motives and size people up, how to devise strategy, and how to rise in the ranks. Malik bides his time, keeping a low profile and his ears open, to create a life for himself once he serves out this sentence.
Jacques Audiard effortlessly creates a landscape with complicated rules and creating characters that are compelling and empathetic, even as they commit heinous acts. Rahim perfectly telegraphs his maturation from petty thief to major player in a brilliant performance that relies much less on words, than the way he carries himself and his body language. He doesn't need to tell us that's he's taking charge of the prison, or surpassing Cesar, we just watch it happen. The film's brutal, realistic violence is not for the faint for heart, but fans of raw, gripping cinema shouldn't be put off; "A Prophet" demands to be seen. Nominee of 2009 Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and winner of London Film Critics Award for Best Picture of the Year.… Expand

One of the best films I've seen in theaters since I can remember. This stuff is jaw-droppingly good. From the complex characterization to the surreal visuals to the densely layered story, it is an utterly compelling film. Forget all the mainstream and American films this year. A Prophet is as good as it gets.

A film of this caliber could not have arrived at a better time. Cinema needed quality and it finally arrived in the form of The Prophet.

Jacques Audiard's fifth film adds to an already impressive (albeit short) filmography. As always, the tight and beautifully written screenplay (which he co-wrote) deals with a young misfit's attempts to escape his condition. Pascal Fontaine's cinematography elegantly accompanies Tahar Rahim's performance, drawing us deep into a French prison and a young immigrant's mind. Subtle, smart, sometimes unbearably brutal, the film undoubtedly deserves his prize in Cannes. Let's hope the Academy won't be as short-sighted as it generally is, and give it the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.… Expand

Rarely have I seen a movie that seemed far longer than two and a half hours yet never dragged and kept me enthralled throughout. Chalk it up to a packed plot, two incredible performances, stunning filmmaking and a great story.

This is a brilliant, deep, subtle, complex film. There was so much hype about LA HAINE back in the 90s. This film much, much better than that film but not getting as much attention. Don't miss seeing this on the big screen. The most powerful, moving cinema experience I've had since 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS. Not to be missed.

What a thrill ! When the French start to do things their own way and when they do it good... no one match them. I hope many Americans as possible will able to see this masterpiece. Fucking brilliant.

Naturalistic style perfectly wed to gritty story. Great acting, and a story that progresses beautifully as the character grows into king of this very human and ugly jungle.

Extremely good movie with excellent everything.

"A Prophet" is a completely engrossing experience that plays out like a genre film, colliding gangster politics and prison society for a satisfying thriller. However, what really gives the film its drive is the grit and social realism (two aspects rarely afforded by genre) packed into every scene, giving a completely unique crime drama. Unfortunately, the fact that it is French allowed it to fly completely under the American radar - though I doubt it will ever be as iconic or influential, I hope time will allow the movie to takes its rightful place along the ranks of "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas".… Expand

Simply a fantastic movie! Its gritty, intense, and yet somehow its not at all over the top. The fact that its almost entirely in subtitles did not hinder me in the least from enjoying this magnificent picture. Everyone's acting is top notch. The plot is woven to perfection, and the movie has this realistic feel almost like your standing next to everything that's happening. The movie certainly addresses racial, cultural, and religious tension as our main protagonist hops back and forth between the world of the Corsicans and that of the Muslims (He himself is of mixed decent and in a lot of ways is not fully accepted by either side). The movie is long and when you think about its rather slow, but while watching it, it really doesn't feel that way. I don't want to spoil to much for you, but for any fan of the crime genre or just quality movies in general this film is an absolute must see!… Expand

Outstanding. A Prophet captivated me from beginning to end. It juxtaposes moments of surreal majesty, with gritty realism to spectacular effect.

A stunning film with a ton of technical flair and great, memorable performances. A modern mob classic. Easily one of the best foreign films of last decade.

A Prophet is about a young Arab man sent to a French prison where he became a drug kingpin. Malik is Arabian (Muslim), most of his inmates are Corsicans so there was a big separation. Malik is known for siding with the enemies. He works for the Corsicans but at the same time bond with the Muslims. Malik is illiterate and has no support outside of prison so his life in jail is all he has.
It seems as though Malik has a struggle of character once every five minutes of the film. If he's now doubting his decisions, he's getting his ass kicked by a Corsican. Director Jacques Audiard has done a fine job of creating this complicated yet fragile character that even if you can't understand him, you side with him. The film also demonstrates how a prison might make you do things that you'd never imagined. Filled with violence and gory details, finely crafted, and beautifully cinematographed, A Prophet is one of the best that the French film industry has to offer. (not to mention impressive performances out of the cast)… Expand

Here is a fantastic movie. I would say itâ

This is up there with "Midnight Express" and "The Shawshank Redemption" as one of the best prison films ever made. A graphic portrayal of the rise of a small-time criminal into a big-time Mafia boss all while serving a six year sentence in prison. "A Prophet" has already established itself as crime drama classic and it's only a few years old now. Director Jacques Audiard is something of a master of the genre in France, a French Scorsese one might say. In fact, this film shares a lot of similarities with the best crime drama of all time, "Goodfellas". Besides the similar narrative, the two films share one big thing in common: Both films tackle so much and fit a lot into their 150 minute plus runtimes, yet it doesn't feel rushed or sloppy. Executed with ease, this film bowls over a lot of plot points in such little time, but in the end you want to see more. It's a saga that really satisfies and what kept me interested was the charismatic performance of newcomer Tahar Rahim as the film's main character, Malik El Djebena. If you like "Goodfellas" or, even if you don't, "A Prophet" is a must see. One of the most popular films of 2009, it won the Grand Prix at Cannes and was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Jacques Audiard's "A Prophet" is a timeless crime epic that is virtually flawless and remains refreshingly original, which is hard to in such a predictable genre.… Expand

An interesting film which could have been grim but is leavened by unexpected light touches and a powerful central performance by Tahar Rahim as a young, newly incarcerated inmate of the French prison system who has to work out as quickly as possible how to survive in the internecine world of the prison with its hierarchies, loyalties and treachery. The film feels authentic and is neither didactic nor judgmental as it revolves around two or three powerful characters but draws in many more - this is a compelling, multi-layered picture of prison life but also of what awaits in the outside world, speaking of bleak reality while leaving room for individuals' dreams, however misguided.… Expand

This film is excellent and possibly one of the most powerful crime dramas i've ever seen. Without giving away details of the plot, i will say that the acting goes a long way in lending the movie its impact, especially from Niels Arestrup as the aging corsican mob boss who evokes pathos and hostility in equal measure. The direction by Jacques Audiard is sure-handed, and the film works both as a thriller and an intimate human drama. Not to be missed by anyone with a love for movies… Expand

The gritty, French crime drama A Prophet is irresistible. It almost feels like a Martin Scorsese picture with all the underlying themes (particularly racism and social class).

Un film choc qui peut aussi bien se voir comme un documentaire viscéral sur la vie dans les prisons françaises (en tout cas, les moins fréquentables) qu'un bon polar, avec en fond une histoire mafieuse se déroulant au sein même de l'établissement. On aurait bien pu se désintéresser du sujet assez rapidement, avec sa durée de 2h24, mais il n'en est rien, le film nous captivant de bout en bout. Et cela grâce à une impeccable mise en scène (donnant une atmsophère prenante à l'ensemble, une puissance à la plupart des scènes...), à un casting de qualité (avec en tête Tahar Rahim et Niels Arestrup), et à une bande son hypnotisante (qui amplifie le côté accrocheur du film). Bref, il n'y a rien à dire d'autres sur Un Prophète, chef-d'oeuvre du cinéma français que l'on doit à un réalisateur de génie : Jacques Audiard!… Expand