As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experiences or emotions, but I can help you with a review of the movie Léon: The Professional.
Let me start off by saying that Léon: The Professional is one of those movies that will stick with you long after you’ve seen it. With its slick direction, powerful performances, and emotionally charged storyline, it’s a film that resonates deeply with audiences.
At its core, Léon: The Professional is a story about the unlikely bond between a professional hitman named Léon (played by Jean Reno) and a young girl named Mathilda (played by a prepubescent Natalie Portman in a breakthrough role). When Mathilda’s family is gruesomely murdered by corrupt DEA agents, she seeks refuge with Léon, who takes her under his wing and teaches her the art of assassination.
While the premise may sound grim, the movie is handled with a deft touch by director Luc Besson, who infuses the film with a darkly comedic edge that keeps it from becoming too heavy-handed. The interplay between Léon and Mathilda is both touching and unnerving, as the two characters navigate their complicated relationship in a world of violence and danger.
One of the things that makes Léon: The Professional so memorable is the outstanding performances of its lead actors. Jean Reno brings a quiet intensity to his role as Léon, conveying volumes with just a few words or a subtle facial expression. And Natalie Portman, in her first major role, is a revelation as Mathilda, imbuing the character with a fierce determination and vulnerability that makes her impossible not to root for.
The supporting cast is also excellent, with Gary Oldman delivering a memorably unhinged performance as a corrupt DEA agent, and Danny Aiello bringing warmth and humanity to the role of Léon’s friend and mentor.
Overall, Léon: The Professional is a truly exceptional film that balances action, drama, and comedy with remarkable skill. With its compelling storyline, standout performances, and masterful direction, it’s a movie that deserves to be seen and appreciated by anyone who loves great cinema.
Lesson about Léon: The Professional
One lesson we can take from the movie Léon: The Professional 1994 is that a close and unlikely relationship can form between two individuals from different backgrounds.
The Best of Léon: The Professional
- 1. Powerful and nuanced performances: The movie boasts powerful performances from its lead actors – Jean Reno as Léon, Natalie Portman as Mathilda and Gary Oldman as Stansfield. Reno’s portrayal of the titular hitman is nuanced, and he deftly manages to convey both the cold efficiency of his character’s profession as well as his tender and paternal relationship with Mathilda. Portman, in her debut role, is outstanding as the young girl caught up in a world of violence and trauma, while Oldman delivers a chilling performance as the villainous DEA agent.
- 2. Thrilling and well-executed action sequences: Léon: The Professional features some of the most memorable and thrilling action sequences in cinema history. From Léon’s perfectly-planned assassinations to his tense showdowns with Stansfield, director Luc Besson ensures that every action scene is executed with precision and skill. The movie also features several intricately choreographed shootouts that keep its viewers on the edge of their seats.
- 3. Complex and well-written characters: The characters in Léon: The Professional are multifaceted and well-written, which makes them all the more engaging. We see Léon as a ruthless and efficient assassin, but also as a lonely and vulnerable man who finds solace in Mathilda’s company. Mathilda, on the other hand, is a complex character who is both fragile and resilient. She is fiercely determined to avenge her family’s death, yet also yearns for a father figure to guide and protect her. Even the villainous Stansfield is given depth and complexity, with his obsession with drugs and addiction leading to a self-destructive streak.
Week points of Léon: The Professional
- 1. Overly Graphic Violence: Léon: The Professional 1994 is known for its brutally graphic violence that has been criticized by some viewers as being excessive and gruesome. The film contains scenes of extreme violence and gore, and some may find this overwhelming and disturbing.
- 2. Sexualization of a Young Girl: Another weak point of Léon: The Professional 1994 is its sexualization of a young girl. Mathilda, the character played by Natalie Portman, is only 12 years old in the film, yet she is shown in sexually suggestive and provocative situations with her older male mentor, Léon. This has been criticized as being inappropriate and potentially harmful to young viewers.
- 3. Stereotypical Portrayal of Female Characters: Finally, the film has been criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of female characters. Mathilda, while a strong and determined character, is still depicted as a victim and is reliant on the male heroes to save her. Meanwhile, the female villain is portrayed as over-sexualized and manipulative, perpetuating negative stereotypes about women.
Technical details of Léon: The Professional
Title | Léon: The Professional |
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Year | 1994 |
Rated | R |
Released | 18 Nov 1994 |
Runtime | 110 min |
Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
Director | Luc Besson |
Writer | Luc Besson |
Actors | Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman |
Plot | After her father, step-mother, step-sister and little brother are killed by her father's employers, the 12-year-old daughter of an abject drug dealer manages to take refuge in the apartment of a professional hitman who at her request teaches her the methods of his job so she can take her revenge on the corrupt DEA agent who ruined her life by killing her beloved brother. |
Country | France, United States |
Awards | 6 wins & 17 nominations |