Leon, The Professional (1994)

[Fairweather Pure]

Leon, The Professional (1994)

Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman and directed by Luc Besson.

Good flick. This has some great action sequences and performances. I saw it when it first came out and also at various times on cable throughout the years, but I haven't given this movie my undivided attention in over a decade. I usually stop channel surfing when I stumble onto this on cable because I'm always mezmorized by the final confrontation in the apratment. It's just a fantastic action sequence. Let's face it though, this movie is remembered mainly for it's controversial relationship between the older assasine, Leon, and the young girl, Matilda. Watching this as an adult, I see why the controversy exists. A thirteen year old Portman plays the 12 yr old Matilda, a girl orphaned after some dirty cops kill her family. Leon takes pity on her and takes her into his home. Reluctantly, he forms a pact with her. He will teach her how to be an assasine if she will take care of his apartment and help him with his illitarcy.

So, let's delve into this odd relationship. I recently bought the director's cut of this movie, and the extra 20ish minutes is put to good use with even more of the complex relationship getting screentime and also Matilda tags along on a couple of hits which were not in the original cut. This movie has pretty strong sexual overtones throughout the entire movie. Some subtle, and others are "in your face". The extra footage is basically more tension and inuendo between Leon and Matilda. There is one scene where Matilda tries to seduce Leon and basically begs him to be her first lover. This is very shakey ground for a movie to walk upon, but for some reason it dosen't smack of exploitation to me. Maybe it's because Leon seems to actually love this little girl and wants to take care of her. It's unspoken, but very powerful. Matilda is just a young girl, but she seems to go beyond a simple crush and moves more toward actual love. Mentally, she has been through more than most people experiance in a lifetime, but she's still in the body of a young girl. She wants to be a grown up so bad. The odd thing is, when I first saw this on VHS in 1994, I don't recall any sexual overtones at all. Maybe it's because I'm older, or perhaps I just pay attention to movies more now than I used to. Judging by the year of release, maybe I was too busy trying to get to 3rd base while watching it. Still, I can't believe I missed it.

Btw, Gary Oldman is fucking nuts in this movie. His performance is great.

I give this movie a 9/10. It's not Gone with the Wind, but it delivers it's story with style and feeling like very few action flicks, adding in just the right amount of levity without it seeming silly or forced. It also has a great ending IMO. Btw, the extra 20 minutes took this up from an 8/10.

[Boogahz]

The sexual tension was there before as well. This is one of the DVD's that I always mean to pick up, but I always forget to grab when I am in the store.

[Winnow]

There is one scene where Matilda tries to seduce Leon and basically begs him to be her first lover. This is very shakey ground for a movie to walk upon, but for some reason it dosen't smack of exploitation to me. Maybe it's because Leon seems to actually love this little girl and wants to take care of her. It's unspoken, but very powerful. Matilda is just a young girl, but she seems to go beyond a simple crush and moves more toward actual love. Mentally, she has been through more than most people experiance in a lifetime, but she's still in the body of a young girl. She wants to be a grown up so bad.

I haven't seen this movie but have seen "Beautiful Girls" were Natale Portman plays a 13 year old girl that wants to be Timothy Huttons girlfriend who is in his mid 20's in the movie.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115639/

She seemed very mature for her age in that movie as well so I guess it's OK for Timothy to bang her.

...um, no. I don't care if this Assassin dude loves a 13 year old, it's still not OK to take advantage of an unconsenting adult even if you "think" they are mature enough mentally. That also goes for "the blue eye shadow made her legal" way of thinking as well.

16-17 year old range, there's a case for a consensual. sexual relationship with someone within a few years of that age (18-19) but not for a full grown adult that is in a position of influence (taking care of the kid even if not officially their parent, etc...or priest, teacher, etc)

To the director's credit in Beautiful Girls, Natalie Portman's character understands this and tells Timothy he should wait five years for her (18) and says it in a very mature way...and TImothy Hutton also never tries anything. Assuming Timothy Hutton's character is 24-25, that would make Portman 18 and Tim 29 which isn't even close to the ideal age separation of 15 years for producing the most babies! (see bunch of crap thread for details in the General Forum)

[Sartori]

You have to see this movie.

[Ransure]

Heh, I was just talking about this movie at work a few weeks ago, this is also supposed to be the prequel to La Femme Nakita.

Absolutely phenomenal movie

[Zaelath]

Btw, Gary Oldman is fucking nuts in this movie. His performance is great.

That's axiomatic Oldman is by far my favourite actor.

[Xouqoa]

Yep, great movie. I saw it in HS and picked up the DVD a year or so ago. Much love for Luc Besson. (The Messenger, The Fifth Element)

[Spang]

I just watched this, finally. Incredible film. Loved it. I'd pay to see it again. Thankfully I bought the DVD, so I don't have to.

[Soreali]

Absolutely phenomenal movie

one of my all-time favorites

[Canelek]

The last scene was a bit awkward, with the assassin pile-driving that poor young schoolgirl. However, the earlier gangbang scene was 5 stars.



edit:

Oops, wrong movie. The Professional was an excellent film! Oldman was awesome as well. Thanks for reminding me I need to buy this.

[Zygar_ Cthulhukin]

This is now playing on Hulu btw.

[Kaldaur]

Great flick.