Léon the Professional (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Deluxe Edition)

Luc Besson's movie Léon (The Professional) gives us an intense story which is maximized in potential by the casting of the movie done by Todd Thaler. Every aspect of the movie delivers to the audience and makes an impressive overall package. Jean Reno plays a character named Léon who has learned to repress his emotions in order to perform his job as a "cleaner", or hit-man. His secluded world is shattered by the young girl named Mathilda who lives on the same floor as he does in an apartment building. When she turns to him for help, he learns about living a normal life, even if the circumstances which unite them are far from normal.

The performance delivered by then twelve-year old Natalie Portman as Mathilda is nothing short of brilliant. Her ability to relate to others with body movement and facial gestures is matched by few, she really brings raw emotion and believability to a difficult role. Mathilda and Léon are unexpectedly thrown together, but learn to value life from their chance encounter, and how valuable a friendship can be.

Jean Reno as Léon gives us a solemn and calculated character who sets all of his energy on his assignments until her is given something else to care about. Mathilda gives him the daughter that he never had, while Léon serves as a father and friend to her. Gary Oldman, as the corrupt DEA Agent Norman Stansfield, offers the viewers an amazingly wired and electrical performance which pushes the envelope. He moves the story along by his actions. Oldman offers us a memorable portrait of a sadistically obsessed man who stops short of nothing to get what he wants.

The Professional is what movie-making is all about. Without the overuse of special effects, a large shooting location, or a commercially star studded cast, we are given all that could possibly be asked for in a movie. Portman, Oldman, and Reno, along with Danny Aiello as the hit-contractor Tony remind us that there is no substitute for great acting. There are elements of comedy, drama, and action, and great original music by Eric Serra adds to the energy the film already encapsulates. The most impressive thing about the movie is its story which is basic but is maximized by all the other elements which go into the making of the movie. Simply put, an intense and impressive movie.

This movie is a lost classic of the early 90's. Most people forget they even saw this movie due to it being buried because of some uncomfortable scenes within. In spite of this, the movie has a solid story that holds up over time and stands for repeat viewings. If you like the action of the movie Taken, you will love the action in this film as well. By director Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman.

This movie is one of my favorites movies a real classic..


L�on" is indebted to two foreign filmmakers obsessed with American genre films: Jean-Pierre Melville and Sergio Leone. Like the protagonists of Melville's "Le Doulos" and "Le Samourai," L�on is the hit man as existential outsider, a big mushy pile of loneliness beneath his stoic exterior. His only friend is the plant on which he lavishes attention (like the bird Alain Delon cared for in "Le Samourai"). The only time he cracks a smile is while he's sitting alone in the movies watching Gene Kelly in "It's Always Fair Weather." And though Besson is a piker next to Leone and his grandiose pulp poetry, the interiors here are as immense as those in Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America." Hallways, New York apartments, corner delis, even men's rooms stretch out for what seems like miles.

i am not a big movie buff and don't like going to the movies often, but i absolutly LOVE this movie. the symbolism in the background is great. the acting is first notch and gary oldman stole the show to me. rumor has it that the little girl in the movie cried in her scene with gary oldman because his character literally scared her into tears. i absolutly love the dark humor, enough action to keep you glued to the tv but not overdone and careful sensitivity that makes you love the professional hit man.

if you have seen the original version, this version is a tad different. one of the slight differences i think makes the movie worth buying. i absolutly loved it and fell over laughing. this movie has the ability to make you adore the murdering main character and feel sorry for him at the same time. this is definately a must see.

I really don't know what to say about this movie. It's truly a work of art, almost like an abstract painting in the way that the movie is very simple and allows the viewer to interpret it as he sees fit.
In Hollywood today you see a lot of movies with pointless explosions and fight scenes where their way of capturing your attention is by pulling out crazy new martial arts choreography to wow the audience. For all who have seen this movie, you realize that the action scenes are very simple, yet very well placed and incredibly ingenious. Leon takes care of his victims with precision and does not waste time with unnecessary monologues before finishing his victims. He is very blunt about his work.
I could go on, but I would end up spoiling too much. To conclude, Jean Reno was born to play the role of Leon in this movie, Gary Oldman delivers a stunning performance as well, and Natalie Portman shows off her promising acting that has led her to the point where she is today.