DVD Review - The Prey

First Published for Front Room Cinema in 2012...

French crime thriller The Prey hits UK shores on DVD this month, here are Tom's thoughts on what turned out to be a surprisingly effective action flick.

When Franck Adrien (Albert Dupontel) is incarcerated in prison for masterminding a bank robbery, he is determined to see out his sentence without any trouble so that he can be reunited with his wife and young daughter, and seek out the money he stowed away before being caught. His cellmate, a suspected child molester, is targeted by a prison gang and when Adrien begrudgingly intervenes it sets in course a vicious downward spiral that could spell the end for him and his family
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Albert Dupontel is perfectly cast as the wily criminal fighting not only for his life but for justice, and those familiar with French cinema may recognise him from his previous work in Irreversible and A Very Long Engagement. It is great to see Dupontel in a starring role and it is impressive how soon I was routing for his character, with his sympathetic persona and dedication to his family belying a dangerous past.

In recent years the French have given us some exceptional crime thrillers such as Tell no One, A Prophet and Mesrine, with The Prey being the latest release to follow in their footsteps. The action is fast and frenetic, with occasional jaw-dropping set pieces reminiscent of key scenes in each of the above films but with enough fresh ideas to make them stand out as unique and exciting. Avoiding the use of CGI, director Eric Valette makes sure that the stuntwork is grounded in reality whilst still pushing the envelope in terms of what is shown on screen.

Amongst all of the action there is an intriguing story which does verge upon being far-fetched at times (the number one culprit being serious injuries that are forgotten about very quickly) and although this doesn't detract from the film's entertainment value it does prevent it from reaching the level of brilliance shared by the aforementioned French thrillers which have heavily influenced The Prey. There are enough twists and turns to keep the audience on their toes throughout and it is clear that Eric Valette has come a long way since his flawed but intriguing feature film debut, Malefique, back in 2002 which was also partly set in a prison, but he has not yet honed his craft to perfection.

In a world where Hollywood churns out mindless thrillers on an almost weekly basis, it is inspiring to see a somewhat fresh take on what has become a tired genre. Those looking for their next adrenalin fix need look no further, The Prey may be flawed in paces but its breakneck speed and ferocity certainly make up for any holes in the story, with the solid acting contributing towards what is ultimately one hell of a fun ride. I only hope that with Valette's next directorial outing he can match his eye for outstanding action with a storyline that packs a more coherent punch.

3.5/5

The Prey is out to buy on DVD through Studio Canal

Cinema Review - Starred Up

Back in 2008, Steve McQueen offered up an incredible depiction of the true life story of Bobby Sands and his hunger strike in a Northern Irish prison, which was undoubtedly one of the most convincing and depressing British prison films served up in a very long time. Whilst David Mackenzie’s latest feature, Starred Up, is purely fictional, it emphasises the stark brutality of prison in a similar fashion to Hunger, with its long lingering shots and moments of raw, unflinching violence that will inevitably leave viewers stunned at the incredible talent on display from both cast and crew. Whereas Starred Up panders more to a regular audience than the art-house crowd, this is in no way a detriment to the director’s vision, as the gripping storyline avoids most of the usual clichés that dominate the genre to showcase a unique and very brutal take on life inside a British prison for one young inmate.

As a young offender transferred to an adult prison, Eric Love is instantly plunged into a situation far out of his depth, with his violent outbursts drawing unwanted attention from both guards and fellow inmates. Jack O’Connell gives all and bares all in his brave portrayal of Love, including a naked grapple in the shower reminiscent of Viggo Mortensen’s sauna struggle in Eastern Promises, that showcases a dedication to his craft often unseen in actors of such a young age. O’Connell’s career has often seen him typecast as an aggressive and troubled youth, with his role in the TV series Skins, and films such as Eden Lake and Tower Block, showcasing his promise, but it his blistering performance in Starred Up that is likely to leave its mark on the film industry, in what is likely to be viewed as a breakout role for the young actor.

Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn is similarly stunning in his role as a permanent inmate with a social standing only awarded to the most dangerous of criminals, and he shows an unhealthy interest in the alliances that Love begins to form. As the two gravitate towards each other it is only a matter of time before the inevitable power struggle begins, but the ensuing bloodshed takes some unexpected turns, with Love’s dangerously unpredictable persona being the cause of much exasperation for the voluntary care-worker Oliver (Rupert Friend), who takes it upon himself to educate the volatile inmate. The tension often reaches unbearable levels, with a standout scene in the confined spaces of the prison gym showcasing Love’s desperate struggle to reign in his anger, only for it to be released in other places much to the detriment of his situation.

Finding fault with Mackenzie’s film is difficult, and although the behaviour of some prison guards is questionable, this doesn’t detract from the overall experience. Starred up is not going to appeal to everyone as the graphic brutality, nudity, and barrage of vulgar language is likely to offend certain viewers, but those accustomed to films which tread these tropes will definitely appreciate the twisted humour and visually arresting scenes of violence. This is one of the darkest British prison films I have seen in recent years and those who hold classics of the genre, such as Scum, in high regard really need to see this on the big screen, knowing as little as possible for the maximum impact.

8/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

Scum
The Escapist
Hunger
Bad Boys (1983)