Movie Review - Un Prophete

Every once in a while you get to see an incredible story unfold on screen that will stick with you days after you've seen it. I went and saw Un Prophete during it's first weekend in LA and it was a superb film.

The story is mostly simple, but gets a little bit cloudy as you follow Malik's acceptance into the Corsican, Muslim, and Sicilian crime rings. He enters prison as an uneducated, young, French man born from Algerian parents. He learns to use his diversity to mingle with the Corsicans, the Muslims, and the Sicilians. His inspiration comes in the form of visions of a fellow prisoner he had to brutally murder within the prison during the early years of his sentence.

The story captures Malik's six year sentence and highlights his highs and lows while in the joint. Each scene is gripping and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Often times I was worried and hopeful for Malik as he looked to be in the most dire situations.  The film also casts a dark, dirty, vibe that keeps things interesting.

Un Prophete is contructed really well and I highly recommend it to everyone. There are some brutal moments, but they're necessary to tell the story.  I'm shocked that this film didn't win best foreign picture (it was nominated) but I have yet to see the film that actually won. Go see Un Prophete as soon as possible.

P.S: I have to say if life in French prison is depicted accurately in the film, it's not such a bad place. The prisoners seem to eat better bread and food that I get in my unshackled life. Of all the prisons to get sent to, definitely try to make it Corsican.