Word: rahimã
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...often a convention of film for the newly freed inmate to lead a charmed, rags-to-riches life, though in “A Prophet” the story is of leading a charmed life on the inside. What makes this aspect of the film so good is Rahim??s terrified performance in the lead. Though confident, calculating, and ultimately successful, there are very few moments in the film in which the audience truly believes that he knows what he is doing. Perhaps for some intended parity, there is even a literal deer-in-headlights featured...
Audiard is an expert at using this trait of Rahim??s character early in the film to capture the empathy, if not sympathy, of the audience. As El Djebena prepares for his first hit to gain protection from the Corsicans, he sits in front of a mirror trying to teach himself how to hide a razorblade in the side of his mouth, and his gums begin to bleed. The look of agonizing determination in Rahim??s face at this and many moments in the film evoke a documentary authenticity. The typically circuitous plot twists...
...When Rahim??s character goes through lockdown in the prison, he must stick out his tongue to show he isn’t hiding a razorblade, and when he goes through airport security at one point in the film, he instinctively sticks out his tongue—and that level of detail is what makes this movie nearly-perfect. Quentin Tarantino and James Cameron alike should be thankful that “A Prophet” is only competing for Best Foreign at the Oscars...
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