I love Leon The Professional

Luc Besson's movie reprise to "La Femme Nikita" is a classic! Natalie Portman's future as a movie actress was ensured after her stunning debut as "Mathilda", the 12 year old girl who seeks revenge for the murder of her family by "Stansfield" (Gary Oldman) a psychotic, corrupt drug enforcement agent . "Leon", played masterfully by Jean Reno, is the next door neighbour of Mathilda who comes to her rescue when she returns to find her family slaughtered. Leon is the professional hit-man employed by "Tony", Danny Aiello in a polished, typecast role.

This film superbly explores relationships between lonely people, strangers, and differences in age and gender in society. How much can we accept before making a stand?

Image: Public Domain. | Lens Updated: January 15th, 2013 @ 02:15 pm Beijing time.

Some movies just seem to "hang together" particularly well. Maybe it's good directing, a great plot, excellent casting or just teamwork that makes the dream work. In this movie, I believe it's a combination of all of these aspects. Luc Besson had already made his name with "La Femme Nikita" and this was his follow up piece. The concept of pairing the two lonely and jaded characters at opposite ends of the age and gender scale immediately creates interest. The themes of revenge and redemption are timeless, and always capture my interest. And, like all good yarns, this piece has a great introduction, interesting middle story and a fine ending.

Natalie Portman, as "Mathilda", was an inspired casting choice. This was her first feature movie, and she is captivating as the 12 year old who wants to avenge her family (in particular her young brother). One of my favourite actors, Jean Reno, is all class in his characterisation of "Leon", the simple peasant boy who was forced to leave Italy after making a huge mistake. He appears almost indestructible in the action sequences. Gary Oldman plays the corrupt, psychotic, drug addicted DEA agent, "Stansfield", in a glorious "over the top" performance. He elicits immediate antipathy from the viewer, as any good villain should.

Even the secondary characters play great parts in this ensemble. Danny Aiello plays Mafia don "Tony" in a polished, typecast performance. Michael Badalucco (aka "Jimmy Berluti" in TV's "The Practice") is spot-on with his rendition of the weak, sleazy character of Mathilda's Father. The symbiosis evident between the cast members of this movie is one of its great strengths. They work together extremely effectively. Great acting, great story, great quotes... this movie has it all. I love "Leon, The Professional".

Is Leon The Professional a great movie or not?

Genre:
Drama

Directed by:
Luc Besson

Actors:
Jean Reno
Gary Oldman
Natalie Portman
Danny Aiello

Take a look at how it's reviewed on "Rotten Tomatoes"...

Between "La Femme Nikita" and "The Fifth Element" writer/director Luc Besson made a bold genre-breaking film about a stoic hit man (Jean Reno) who befriends a 12 year-old girl named Mathilda (Natalie Portman) after her family is brutally murdered by a crooked DEA agent named Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Originally released in America as a 26 minute shorter version than the director's cut, the film made a deep impression on audiences with its forceful use of stylized violence pitted against Natalie Portman's impeccability as a savvy New York girl seeking revenge on the man who killed her family. The movie launched Natalie Portman's film career and her performance is as breathtaking as the contrast between Jean Reno's studied stillness and Gary Oldman's drug addled ferocity. "Leon The Professional" is a consummate hit man movie from the early '90s era in cinema when every young filmmaker wanted to be the next Tarantino. Luc Besson just had to be himself. -- www.rottentomatoes.com (Cole Smithey)

Did the producers go too far in suggesting an inappropriate relationship between a pre-teen "Mathilda" and the adult "Leon"?

Did you enjoy reading about "Leon, The Professional"? Leave your comments and questions below. Please take the time to rate this lens a "thumbs up" at the top LH corner of the page. If you enjoyed it, you may care to mark it as a favourite as well. Not a Squidoo member yet? You're missing out on all the fun. Squidoo is free to join and use, and you can even make some money for your favourite charity, our even for yourself (gasp). Go ahead, make my day and make your first lens now.

Image: Greekgeek

Are you on Twitter? If so, consider a retweet here ===>