films seen
1
average score
3.00*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking
Movies
A foreign prison drama with strong action and crime elements. The setup isn't too original, and the film is more than happy to indulge in all the inhuman practices that typically go along with foreign prison stories, but Sauvaire's more than decent stylistic choices make sure it's more than a weepy-eyed drama. Raw and gritty are the keyword here, and Sauvaire manages to translate that rather adequately through intense camera work and a brooding score. The performances are solid too, the biggest problem is that there isn't really enough material to fill two hours of film. The middle is a bit long in the tooth and the finale lacks punch. Other than that, a pretty nice discovery. Read all