CalvinLaw’s review published on Letterboxd:
2009 Ranking
Finally got to see what all the hype was about, this certainly didn't disappoint. Prison dramas are a tricky type of film to handle and this one does such a fantastic job of exploring the complex hierarchies between the Corsicans and the Muslim factions, and the Malik, the young Algerian thrust between the two sides and played to perfection by Tahar Rahim, who is indeed sublime in an extremely understated yet potent performance. Just comparing where he begins and ends the film is incredible, and he is mesmerising to watch every second he is onscreen. It's brutal and stylish without feeling it compromises either side, but what I was most impressed by was how much poignancy it found within the narrative, notably a plane sequence which ends up being surprisingly moving, and how Malik never loses our emotional investment and his humanity despite going into some very dark waters. Excellent, and could go up with a rewatch.
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