'A Prophet' Review

Tahar Rahim and Niels Arestrup in A Prophet. Watch the preview: http://www.sonyclassics.com/aprophet/

OK OK I saw another foreign film. I love foreign films and it's my blog sooooo..... No this one isn't a religious film; the title is explained during it. A Prophet has won many awards and rave reviews, and you should not miss it. This acclaimed French prison saga is gritty, brutal, and will keep you glued to your seat: The Mrs. was reluctant to see it but later admitted it was very good. Besides that she speaks French fluently and appreciated it more than me.

>>Malik (Tahar Rahim), a young man of Arab descent, is sentenced to six years in prison. He wants to survive by following the rules but he soon quickly learns that's not the case when Cesar Luciani, the Corsican crime boss, takes an interest in him. The 'godfather' makes him an offer he can't refuse: It's 'kill or be killed.' If Malik doesn't kill an sequestered informer about to testify in a trial, Malik will be disposed of by Cesar's henchmen who protect their boss. Although Cesar is a fellow prisoner, he also controls guards and lawyers outside of prison who fear his all reaching power. Niels Arestrup gives a frightening performance as Cesar who takes a 'fatherly' interest in Malik by fostering his criminal education but he can change instantly into a vicious monster when he feels disobeyed or threatened.

>>Malik is a quick learner who caters to Cesar's whims but has an agenda of his own. He wants to be his own boss and make the evil system work for himself. When Cesar arranges for Malik to run errands when he's allowed one day a week out of prison to work, Malik uses the time to run his own drug deals. He's playing a dangerous game by pretending to show his jailers he's obeying their rules and to make Cesar think he's working exclusively for him. Can he ever break free of Cesar's stranglehold? How long can he keep up this deadly game is what propels the story.

>>Fans of the Corleones, Scarface, and other gangsters will be won over by this powerful film if they get over reading subtitles.There's lots of violence and murders but the camera never dwells on it, only enough to get its point and jolt you. Actually the story has a happy ending. A Prophet is about two & a half hours and you won't want to miss a minute of it. See for yourself...