First time I've watched.

It seems MK likes it, and that's good enough for me.

Have to add that as a first time viewer I'd say fat more than big.

I really couldn't agree more with the sentiments displayed here. I was unconvinced when this one topped the S&S list - White Ribbon was just so far and away the best thing I saw last year that I was skeptical but (as you say) it is as good as everybody claims. Incredible.

I loved Un Prophete, Dr. K's right when he says that there are many layers to the movie.



One of the layers he doesn't mention in this review (which really resonated with me) is the way the movement and tensions of the different ethnic groups echo the different groups in French society, even describing the growing importance of the North African/Muslim groups. The main character moves easily between Arab/Corsican/Establishment groups in a way that you don't really see in mainstream French society. At the moment, Sarkozy is trying to initiate a national dialogue asking the French to consider the question: what is it to be French? Perhaps this is a story of someone who has found redemption through not allying themselves with any one faction, who is prepared to embody many identities to create something new.



There are plenty of films that describe the differences and tensions between these groups, and the reasons for them (La Haine, Indigènes and so on), but this is the first one I've seen that presents a character that reconciles those differences, albeit in the context of prison.



There's another layer for you.

Not sure about the new suit Mark... I definately prefered the old one...

Has anyone got an internet link to find out where "Un Prophete" is showing please? Alternatively does anyone know anywhere in the north west showing it ? thanks in advance

Noticed how Mayo looked just completely perplexed when his hands were over his mouth thinking "What the hell is he talking about?!". Great job on the review, look forward to seeing it.

Mayo really does look bored in this video.

i saw 'a prophet' at the FACT picturehouse in liverpool city centre. i'm sure it's on at the cornerhouse, manchester and also try the printworks(odeon) in manchester too. don't know where else it would be shown in the north-west



incredible film by the way

Off topic (if The Exorcist can ever be 'off topic' where Mr Kermode is concerned) but I saw this and thought of you...

https://jezebel.com/5457273/presented-without-comment

Thank you Mark for telling us about this film. I certainly hadn't heard anything about it until your lively and thought provoking review. It sounds compelling. I do have to doubt however, that this film will ever see a flicker of light from any projector in any of the cinemas in or around the town where I live. Well, not until at least another three or four months have past, after all the hype, publicity and praise have been shoveled out by everyone from Fern Cotton to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, when it might get a limited screening at my local independent cinema which offers a seated capacity of about fifty and a screen the size of a three-seater sofa. It's kind of like opening your Christmas presents in March only to find the image displayed on the box is not to actual size.

Funny, just saw this in my local art house cinema today, then found the review...A lot of scenes(while certainly crafted with confidence and competence) were like other similar movies I've seen, ie. those with the same raw look and feel. The performance all subtle and unedrplayed, the characters and story all truly believable, all to the point where it could have been a biopic, but it seemed very 'City of God' to me, (which was fantastic sort of like a Brazilian 'GoodFellas') and for that semi-documentary crime style/genre to remain fresh (especially in the realm of films over 2 hours -- this weighing in at 150 minutes, which for me was at least 15 minutes too long) it has to do something new; thankfully in the case of this, every time I started to get the feeling I'd seen this film before, a fantastic, literally outstanding scene would come along: be it intense, unglorified razor blade murder-staged suicide, or David Lynch-esque deer foreshadowing. All in all I was really impressed (knowing nothing more than the trailer gave away before hand), would agree with you Mark, except for again maybe a little long, and on the verge of going stale in places.

Its a good film. You are always with Malik and even those he is up against are hard to hate - they do what they can to survive or thrive and who can blame them.

It is interesting to see how it works in prison. Strange how I saw the rise of the Muslims as a high point - when none of them want to be in prison. It is a failure of life on the outside, which is what you don't see in this film. But this film shows how someone can make a better life out of this experience, that is true of any hardship.

Watched A Prophet at the watershed cinema in Bristol last thursday. I would normally listen to reviews after watching a film. However, having heard the legend that is Mark Kermodes review, my opinion was confirmed that this film had to been seen. I did question the 2h 30mins running time but blink and you will miss this french tour de force. C'est Magnifique.