A Prophet

This little European gem of a film is somewhat reminiscent of American Me, only in French, with a cultural battle between Corsicans and Muslims instead of Hispanics and African Americans. Both films tell the tale of the making of a career criminal via state run correctional institutions, although A Prophet centers its story around the actual rise to power and not on what that power does (though you do perhaps get a window into the central character’s future via his mentor/predecessor/mob boss). That the story isn’t necessarily original, however, does not retract from the film’s overall appeal and success. In fact, I found it to be a compelling cinematic artwork of blood, murder, misery and struggle. I saw it at the Magnolia here in Dallas with a glass of scotch—which I also recommend, considering the film’s intensity. I admit, I knew nothing of the actors, director etc, and still don’t, but I was not at any level disappointed. If you are not abject to subtitles, then I highly recommend checking it out, though be warned, this flick’s a bloody one.