21 Comments

1. 1
   

   Brooke says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:01pm

   I know I am in the minority, but I hated this film. I have seen everything in “A Prophet” a hundred times before in every other prison film. I was so looking forward to it, and I felt braindead afterward. (That being said – I saw this in Telluride at 8am, after queuing up at 6:30, so I would imagine that had something to do with it)
2. 2
   

   John Villeneuve says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:03pm

   For me, nothing this year (except for one other film) can even remotely come close to the excellence of this movie. The rest are sloppy seconds (though good, mind you).
3. 3
   

   Jeremie says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:28pm

   I couldn’t agree more with you John. This has to be my favorite film of the year as well (would be curious to know what is this other film you refer to though).
   The film is absolutely flawless and Audiart confirms himself (but I’m not sure anybody doubted it really) as one of the finest director working nowadays.
   But I may lack objectivity as I do love all his films and probably have to watch at least once a month A self-made hero.
4. 4
   

   Ryan Adams says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:34pm

   “…nothing this year (except for one other film) can even remotely come close …”

   stop being coy and tell us what the one other film is, cinetease.
5. 5
   

   Jeremie says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:41pm

   I bet it’s The Blind Side. Don’t be ashamed, it’s allright.
6. 6
   

   MLags says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:56pm

   Anybody know the name of the song played from 1:00-1:25?
7. 7
   

   Jeremie says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 7:12pm

   “Corner of My Room” by Turner Cody
8. 8
   

   Joolz says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 7:12pm

   Sensational – it is because of movies like this that I fall in love with cinema again and again and again.
9. 9
   

   Murtada says:
   Monday, December 14, 2009 at 7:26pm

   is this playing now?
10. 10
    

    Dan says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:02pm

    Bah, it wasn’t THAT good. It was one or two 15 minute episodes too long, and it was very self-conscious at times. It has some stunning scenes, though, that is true. The razor scene in particular is memorable, and the black van scene. But the rest of the film isn’t memorable at all.
11. 11
    

    Lance says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:12pm

    I agree with Dan about shaving off some of the time. Very good movie, overall, though.
12. 12
    

    Jeremie says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:17pm

    Well, it seems like your favourite scene of the year was in Harry Potter so I bet that A Prophet is not necessarily your cup of tea,
13. 13
    

    daveylow says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 9:17pm

    I really hate watching films with a lot of violence but I thought A Prophet was a superb film. I agree that it could have been tightened in places but the conviction of the acting and the directing impressed me. I wish Sony had released it this year because then the lead actor would have gotten a lot of recognition around awards time. And the film would have been nominated for direction and script as well.

    It deserves the Best Picture Foreign Film Oscar but I wonder if the Academy voters will get the movie.
14. 14
    

    fred says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 9:26pm

    I agree too about shaving off some time here and there, and the ending is a bit weak. A Prophet is not without some little flaws but it is still a good movie with great acting.

    Two great scenes of great cinema : The murder with the razor, and the shootout in the Black Van.

    Audiard is not a very prolific director, he has some personnal problems. That’s unfortunate because he has a great talent.
15. 15
    

    Tero Heikkinen says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:03pm

    I didn’t like this one as much as The White Ribbon, but it was very very good still.
16. 16
    

    sartre says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:08pm

    One of my six favorite films of the year and vying for number 1. The others I loved were Summer Hours, 35 Shots of Rum, Bright Star, The White Ribbon, and Séraphine. I’m not impressed with how Un Prophète is being marketed with the comparison to The Godfather and the contrived upbeat editing and music in the trailer. I’m hoping for a sequel and Audiard didn’t rule out the possibility in an interview with the Guardian, though nothing has been done in this direction yet.
17. 17
    

    sartre says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:22pm

    There is no denying that is a beautifully wrought scene, Dan.

    For some reason my comment is being slotted in before the one I responded to.
18. 18
    

    Dan says:
    Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:29pm

    Jeremie, here’s a link to my ratings of 2009 films. http://darkthirty.livejournal.com/156765.html

    As you see, Harry Potter isn’t even close to being near the top. My favourite movies of the decade are here
    http://darkthirty.livejournal.com/164747.html

    Some of my favourite movies of all time are Stalker and Andrei Rublev, Satantango and Werckmeister Harmonies, Winter Light, Let the Right One In, Cache.

    But diss my choice of a deleted scene from Harry Potter all you want. The cinematography, design, and sound is transcendent, Harry Potter or not. Here it is
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WXgcX9bPzk
19. 19
    

    Bolitari says:
    Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 4:40am

    Deserves Best Foreign Film Oscar ! Simply giant !
20. 20
    

    Cédric says:
    Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 6:32am

    This is still in my top 5 of the year so far BUT behind The White Ribbon, Silent Voice and Fish Tank and just ahead of Vincere.
21. 21
    

    Mike says:
    Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 7:52am

    Tahar is soooooo ‘effin HOT.