This BAFTA-winning film has been hailed as a ‘masterpiece’ by viewers for its ‘perfect’ acting and ‘clever’ script
Those in search of a fresh film recommendation need look no further than this mafia picture available on Amazon Prime Video that might have slipped under the radar. This follows as others eagerly anticipate the Peaky Blinders film and have relished a Netflix crime drama lauded as amongst the finest, alongside an HBO series celebrated as a “masterpiece”, reports the Mirror.
The film boasts an impressive 96 per cent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89 per cent score on the Popcornmeter. Furthermore, the drama has garnered significant acclaim from IMDb users. One viewer wrote in their 9/10 star assessment: “At times hard to watch but in the end you come out with the feeling of having watched a masterpiece. Perfect acting, scenario, directing, cinematography and sound.”
Another 9/10 review hailed the mafia drama as “magnificent”. The reviewer elaborated: “Harsh and brutal as this film can be at times – for it never shies away from portraying what life is like in a prison setting – it is in those more lyrical moments, the ones in which we are allowed to see into the heart of this young man.” They noted that the equilibrium between savagery and elegance enabled the film to reach its “true masterpiece status”. The lead actor also received commendation, with their performance characterised as a “brilliantly understated, award-worthy performance”.
Meanwhile, a 10/10 review carried the headline: “Excellent tough and rough prison gangster film” and portrayed it as “tough to watch” whilst being “immaculately constructed”. The cinema-goer explained: “It is a masterfully made film with a clever script, an excellent cast and a surprising attention to detail.” They described it as a “rare pearl in the genre”.
Another glowing 9/10 review was headlined: “One of the best crime sagas ever made.” The critic wrote: “On paper it’s kind of a typical rise of a gangster story, but when you get involved it’s something entirely unique.” They continued: “For a film that takes place primarily inside a prison, the scope here is really epic.” The reviewer highlighted how the protagonist’s dramatic transformation proved “powerful”, noting that viewers were unlikely to realise the shift until the final moments when the credits appeared.
A Prophet was originally released in 2009 and chronicled the story of Malik El-Djebena (portrayed by Tahar Rahim), who found himself adrift after being imprisoned. Yet he caught the attention of a fellow prisoner, Corsican crime boss César Luciani (Niels Arestrup). As time passed, César assigned Malik numerous tasks and the younger man slowly earned the respect of the mafia kingpin. But his rising influence would ultimately lead to a clash with his former protector.
The French production secured a BAFTA Film Award for Best Film Not in the English Language alongside nine coveted César Awards, including honours for Best Film, Director, Actor and Supporting Actor. A Prophet garnered awards at both the Cannes Film Festival and the London Film Festival, whilst also receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
The film continues to feature prominently in various top movie lists, including a BBC poll, an Empire magazine ranking, and a Rolling Stone list of the best films of the 21st Century. In the UK, A Prophet became one of the most viewed French-language films when it was broadcast on Channel 4.
A Prophet served as actor Rahim’s major breakthrough, earning him widespread acclaim for his performance. Rahim secured the lead role in A Prophet following a fortuitous encounter with director Jacques Audiard when they shared a car journey. Since then, the actor has featured in numerous other projects, including playing the lead in the BBC crime drama The Serpent alongside Victoria’s Jenna Coleman, as well as roles in Marvel’s Madame Webb, Napoleon, The Eddy, and The Mauritanian.
A Prophet is streaming on Amazon Prime Video now
