When I found the DVD, I saw a quote saying 'Scarface meets the Godfather'. I presumed hyperbole of course, and to a certain extent it was a safe assumption. It isn't much like either of these gangster classics, that's not to say it is no good, it is just a very poor comparison.
As always, I won't go into plot detail, but there are interesting elements to mention. The film follows something of a crimimal rise of a young man through the prison system and beyond (he does actually have a scar on his face as it happens) The petty criminal is imprisoned, and is understandably nervous of his unsure future. We watch him growing in confidence and stature, but he retains a kind of awkwardness-a jittery energy (his manner when he first arrives reminded me somewhat of Vinz from my favourite French film La Haine) This sensitivity sets him apart from Tony Montana or the Corleones, he never seems totally in control, which is a great plot device and certainly not a complaint - but again the quote was inappropriate. All is portrayed by a great central performance from Tahar Rahim as he climbs the ladder of the criminal underworld inside and outside of prison. One of the main undertone themes throughout is racial tensions of foreigners in france, a strong theme in modern French cinema. He must shun his Algerian roots and become adopted by corsicans to survive, which he does, at least for appearances sake.
Fairly early on, he does a hit for the boss inside, his first time, in a wonderfully uneasy scene where he fumbles his plan, so has to wing it. In an inspired plot point, his victim haunts him, it's a theme and motif that lasts for the length of the film. The man he killed appears to him in his cell, they talk (it reminded me slightly of the visions in An American Werewolf in London) There is one very cool moment of the ghost smoking and exhaling through the slit in his throat, it reminded me of something similar from the great Japanese thriller Ichi the Killer - the 2001 live action release, not the anime.
Filmmaking wise, it is shot unflashily, helping us assume the main characters perspective and making certain moments even more shocking. I noticed that some scenes taking place in the interior of the prison are cleverly shown in closer shots than those outside, to show claustrophobia - and to cultivate some of the tension the film relies on. It isn't all intensity, also there is a lovely moment of calm during his first airplane flight, which changes the tone dramatically, if only for a moment. He is able to leave his confines for the odd days, on one of his daytrips, someone offers to wash his shirt. 'I washed your shirt but the bloodstains won't come out', this of course is a Macbeth-esque metaphor for his life, the blood stains are on his soul, and are not easily forgotten.
The elephant in the room was that dvd tagline; Scarface meets the Godfather.. to me it felt more similar to prison dramas like Animal Factory (memorable mostly for a brief appearance from Antony Hegarty from the wonderful Anthony and the Johnsons) and a bit like City of God in some ways. So it was a very competent thriller with a few very strong scenes, standout moments, good performances and admirable tension which takes it's time to cultivate the story.. but the aforementioned quote didn't help, it hindered - a cautionary lesson in not overselling.
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