A Prophet

[alythonian]

Edinburgh 99% full tonight and yes, we got subtitles (although thanks to the 10 or so folk who came in late and stood for ages looking for seats - no there were no pairs left at 6.45 - in the middle of the stairs blocking the view for those of us behind you of the screen and the subtitles!!)

I knew this was going to be violent and it was but it was done in such a way, not so as to make it acceotable, but so as to make it part of the story - some American directors should take note!

I'd read somewhere online someone compare it to Shawshank Redemption - nope other than it's set in a prison, i didn't see that at all. perhaps glimpses of things you've seen in other films set in prison, such as Hunger but not the same at all.

I really appreciated the film, I think enjoyed would be the wrong word to use.

Only one woman left in Edinburgh after an hour and a half, the rest stayed and behaved and that included the 4 15 year olds (who probably shouldn't have got in)!!

[nintendo]

Fantastic film, very gritty, great dialogue, the only problem with it is that certain plot strands are not developed enough (i.e the whole ghost thing and the whole Latif the Egyptian storyline), espeically for a 150min film! lol but overall i have to say it was v.good, 2nd best prison movie after 'hunger'

9/10

[katiepoll3]

A bit of an endurance I thought. Too long - and the cinema was far too hot.

Someone else has commented that it has become a classic in the vein of the Godfather - [I'm paraphrasing sorry ...] well I just don't think so. We did have subtitles but it was very confusing to me and my partner. We couldn't understand what was happening most of the time.

Sadly I think it's been overhyped.

2.5/10

[ejwrank]

I hesitated giving my comments on this as I felt I was the only one who really didn't like this film at all. It is incredibly grizzly and I ended up with my eyes closed for much of it (not easy to read the subtitles if your eyes are closed!). There was just so much violence and little else but violence and it was so long. We probably should have walked out but that would have meant walking in front of the screen as there was only one exit. Really wish we hadn't gone....

[the fox]

Saw this at Cineworld Nottingham – cinema was about 80% full which surprised me because of it being foreign. I really enjoyed this film despite how violent it was in parts and the fact that I happened to be sat in front of chatty peeps, who one of which had no shame about burping loudly.

[anakin]

chatty peeps, who one of which had no shame about burping loudly.

GROSS!

[ciro22]

This was an excellent film, and no doubt it will probably end up being hailed as one of the best films of the year

As I suspected, it was similar to a version of Mesrine set in a prison (and it does share some of the same writers) but I think they have been able to craft this film in an even better work due to its fictional basis (as Mesrine was based on a true story) and the work of the excellent director, Jacques Audiard.

Some people have noted that there is violence in the film, but of course there is violence to be found in most of the greatest films of all time. The important point is whether or not the violence is gratuitous or overplayed, and clearly the violence is part of the context of the film. I have some experience of prisons (although not as a prisoner I might add!) and anybody who is surprised to find violence in a prison is probably better off staying at home and renting The Care Bears Movie instead. The one thing I was surprised by were the touches of fantasy and humour that were thrown in every so often but on the whole I think they worked well and helped to improve the viewing experience.

All in all, this is a film that should be seen by anyone who enjoyed Mesrine; or anyone who is a fan of foreign cinema; or just simpky anyone who enjoys engrossing crime dramas with excellent acting and direction.

[ciro22]

For those who were talking about seeing the film without subtitles, I can put your mind at ease that you wouldn't have stood a chance because there are key parts of dialogue during the film that are spoken in Arabic and Italian dialect!

[ejwrank]

ciro22 -- just because some of us complained about the violence in the film and believe me it is unrelenting and yes, I thought much of it wasgratuitous and overplayed, doesn't mean we should sit at home and rent The Care Bears -- thanks for the advice and sorry if I find your suggestion patronising and demeaning.

Maybe you could respect my opinion if I can respect yours.

[elski]

For those who were talking about seeing the film without subtitles, I can put your mind at ease that you wouldn't have stood a chance because there are key parts of dialogue during the film that are spoken in Arabic and Italian dialect!

well I recognized that... I understand a similar amount of Italian as I do French , not a word of Arabic though but could tell when they switched

I've now read the long version of the synopsis and it's pretty much what I understood to have happened so I did quite well.