Leon: The Professional [DVD] [1995] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I'm a great film buff with diverse tastes and I often wonder which film I'd want with me if I were stranded on that mythical desert island. Time and again though I come up with the same answer: Leon.

I can't fault this film. Luc Besson is a true artist (I've thoroughly enjoyed his work on every occasion) and this is surely his finest achievement. The casting is truly inspired. I cannot imagine another actor bettering Jean Reno's portrayal of the hitman with a heart.

That said though, the thing that stunned me on first viewing, and on each subsequent viewing, is Natalie Portman's performance as Mathilda. I think I'm correct in saying that she was thirteen years old when Leon was filmed and I cannot understand how someone so young could demonstrate such maturity. She is an absolute 'natural', and perfectly cast.

Finally, I was very impressed by the way Besson dealt with the sensitive subject of their 'relationship'. He manages to convey the warmth without making the viewer feel uncomfortable about the (20 year?) age difference. This becomes more important in the 'director's cut' which contains an extra 20 mins of film which explores their relationship in greater depth; Mathilda has 'designs' on Leon, but he keeps things platonic. Beautifully handled.

If you haven't seen this film you owe it to yourself to give it a viewing. A pity there are only 5 stars available!

If you can, get the Region 1 deluxe edition which I am reviewing here. It's uncut and has approx 20 minutes of extra footage that you don't see in the region 2 release, primarily more training with Mathilda. It's a fantastic film, one of the best action films of all time.

I don't usually rent movies about people who kill for a living, but one day, the cover of Leon happened to catch my eye; and from there, well, it's all old history.
The story sets off with an action-packed beginning in which the character of Leon, excellently played by Jean Reno, is first introduced. Of course, this is an action movie, and with those you kind of have to be careful because you could end up with something terribly dumb, something that takes away two hours of your life that can never be returned, something too macho or too ridiculous to even enjoy, something with a weak plot and no character development...or you could end up with something kind of like Leon. This isn't your standard mindless action film; it's got character development, heart, action, brutality, and an underlying message. And when I FINALLY saw it after passing it at the video store for years because I didn't feel like sitting through yet another bad and annoying action movie, I was glad I did.

After the slaying of her entire family, Mathilda (Natalie Portman proves her talent as the disillusioned girl even at such a young age), is taken in by Leon, the cleaner, who promises to teach her his trade. I think that the greatest element in this entire movie, the thing that makes it what it is and gives it that last powerful punch, is the character development. Mathilda is bitter and obviously confused about normal relationships, considering that her family life was a muddle of abuse, neglect, and drug trafficking. Gary Oldman plays Stansfield, the sick and twisted bad cop whose deranged and erratic behavior is so convincing in the film that I almost forgot he was playing a part in a movie. And then, there's Leon, my favorite, whose loneliness and distance from normal life tugs somewhere deep and makes you feel for him even though his profession involves taking the lives of others.
The characters aren't cardboard and one-sided as in most mindless action films. In fact, I am so impressed by the characterization and the actors' portrayal of their characters, that I wish both Jean Reno and Gary Oldman had been awarded for their performances. They definitely deserved it. No one could ever have pulled off Stansfield's disturbing character the way Gary Oldman did, and as for Jean Reno...no one else could ever be Leon.

My one complaint with the entire film is that sometimes the relationship between Leon and Mathilda feels a little bit uncomfortable due to her attitude toward him. But most often the awkward moments just come out funny. I am pretty sure that with her previous family life, she would be confused about her feelings. No one's ever really cared for her and when someone finally does, she gets turned around and misconstrues the meaning.

The rest of the film, from beginning to end, is just a flash-bang of fast-paced action, hope, violence, friendships, betrayals, kindness, and new beginnings. And the climax, the final showdown, is pretty great: explosions, SWAT team, the whole nine yards.
Leon-The Professional is an awesome action movie with an actual story; a very smart and original film not to be overlooked or forgotten. Luc Besson truly did well with this one.