Tags
1990's, Crime, Danny Aiello, Gary Oldman, Jean Reno, Leon, Luc Besson, Natalie Portman, Thriller
Film Title
Leon
Director
Luc Besson
Starring
- Jean Reno as Leon
- Natalie Portman as Mathilda
- Gary Oldman as Norman Stansfield
- Danny Aiello as Tony
A stylish but most unusual crime thriller, Leon burns into the memory with explosive set pieces and an attention to the characters that is sometimes rare in the genre. Featuring some off the wall visual tricks and violence a plenty, it’s a thriller that does things a little differently but with panache.
Leon is a solitary hit man living in Little Italy who is emotionally shut off and very efficient at his job of killing others. When he isn’t dispatching of people for mafioso and good friend Tony, he is quite different from the average hit man. This is evidenced in his love of old movies, consumption of milk and dedicated to tending to his plant. In essence, Leon is only in the job to make ends meet. His distance from everyone else is what makes him so good at the job as he never really forms emotional attachments to anyone. That is until he encounters Mathilda; a twelve-year-old girl who comes from a dysfunctional and abusive family and lives down the hall from him. Mathilda’s father, who regularly gives her a black eye, has been stashing cocaine in his apartment for corrupt DEA agents, headed by the crazed and depraved Norman Stansfield. When Stansfield finds out that her father has been cutting the cocaine to keep for himself, Stansfield sends his men around and they kill Mathilda’s father, mother, step-sister and four-year-old brother. Mathilda managed to avoid the carnage as she was out shopping. Seeing what has happened, the scared Mathilda knocks on Leon’s door begging for a safe haven. He has doubts at first, but something within him lets the terrified young girl in. Mathilda is a troubled girl who has had to grow up fast in an unjust world of violence, yet underneath she is still a frightened and innocent little girl. Leon is skeptical about sheltering Mathilda as he is shut off emotionally and doesn’t quite know how to express his feelings. When Mathilda discovers Leon’s job, she asks him to train her in the art of killing, secretly hoping to gain retribution for the killing of her younger brother, who was the only person in her family that she felt close to. Although he is extremely reluctant about this because he knows the dangers, at her behest he trains her and she becomes a quick learner of the art. Slowly, Leon and Mathilda form an unlikely bond with each other as he grows into the role of her protector and opens up emotionally while she emerges as his protégée. Yet Stansfield has realized that he didn’t kill the whole family and sets out to find Mathilda, who herself is learning how to kill and plans to get revenge on him for the slaying of her brother. Leon finds that his job is becoming in danger like never before as Stansfield closes in and Mathilda wants vengeance.
Luc Besson, through striking visual style and interesting writing, creates a thriller that takes many different steps that one would thing. He craftily mixes personal drama and sharp bits of humour into Leon, with the main focus of the film being the relationship between the principal characters and not just the action and violence. This really struck me as something very unique in this kind of film as some thrillers and crimes movies can overlook their characters for flashy tricks. And while Leon does have rapid editing and a bright cinematography to highlight the dingy setting of the flick, complete with bloody violence to cap that off, it never loses us for a second and the scenes between Leon and Mathilda take on a more personal level. Some may find the relationship between Leon and Mathilda as uncomfortable due to overtones of Mathilda’s attraction towards Leon, but I saw it as she does love him, but as she is only a child it is an a way that is out of care and respect as she has never had a father figure like him before. An echoing score of pulsing beats gives electric immediacy to Leon, as well as taking the time to slow down and bring a poignant sense of emotion as Leon opens up as a human being in the presence of young Mathilda.
In the title role of the lonely hit man, Jean Reno is very well cast. His melancholy face is used to great effect as we watch how closed off he has been to anyone and how when he does let someone in, things start to get personal and very dangerous. Reno is the only actor I can think of playing the part, no other actor could have done the part of the hit man with a buried heart so well. Yet the biggest impression made in Leon is Natalie Portman in what was her debut role. Considering she was only twelve-years-old at the time of filming and it was her first movie, Natalie Portman showed how even at her young age she could be remarkably assured as she plays Mathilda with confidence and seeming ease. Some of the things the script calls for are daring for such a young actress to play as the character has had to toughen herself against an abusive home and the horrors of the world, but with an emotional core and sassy demeanor tempered with a troubled nature, Natalie Portman delivers a truly knockout performance. This is the kind of performance that stands as one of the best debuts in celluloid history for its striking maturity and memorability. As the gloriously corrupt and completely whacked out Stansfield, Gary Oldman is frightening and over the top in the extreme, but it fits the unpredictable character so well and makes him a dark villain. Danny Aiello succeeds in making his character of mafioso Tony who has loyalty to Leon, very good and a a good supporting character.
An audacious movie combining style, substance and occasional wit, Leon sets itself apart from many crime thrillers with its detail to characters and fresh approaches to things that make it quite unexpected.
sinnerz13 said:
One of my favourite films!
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vinnieh said:
I can see why it is one of your favourites, what a movie.
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sinnerz13 said:
Indeed! Great casting too.
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vinnieh said:
Such sublime and perfect casting.
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beetleypete said:
I am a real fan of Luc Besson films, and this one is a cracker. Portman is amazing in her role, and the sexual overtones that caused issues on release may well be present, but are nicely dealt with. Jean Reno was born for the title role, and the unusual nature of the story kept me interested. At least up to the part where Gary Oldman (who I usually like a lot) decides to lose the plot completely, and almost spoils a great film.
This is not Besson’s only film about a female assassin of course. He also made the wonderful ‘Nikita'(1994) which I can really recommend.
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
A cracker, now that’s a great word for this movie. I am always so impressed with Natalie Portman and how mature she is in the role.
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emmakwall said:
Wise words 🙂 xxx
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beetleypete said:
You are having a big catch-up today honey! xxx
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emmakwall said:
I am, I am! xxx
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55theintimidator55 said:
I regularly call Luc Besson the best French export in the last 50 years and I stand by that. A solid enough thriller, but one I found lacked punch at points.
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vinnieh said:
He is most definitely a highly talented director with a wild imagination.
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fragglerocking said:
A great movie V~man and excellent review.
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vinnieh said:
I did my best to do this amazing movie justice.
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Cindy Bruchman said:
A great film, Vinnieh. Gary Oldman was over the top. But, my O my, Jean Reno and Natalie Portman were fantastic.
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vinnieh said:
Jean Reno and Natalie Portman were born for their parts and no one else could have played their roles.
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Ben said:
This film is one of the rare ones which grand you and stays with you long after its ended. A perfect cast telling a great story.
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vinnieh said:
The best movies do that and this is one of the best there is.
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Marta said:
I love this film! Jean Reno and Natalie Portman are brilliant and Gary Oldman is such a crazy villain 😀
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vinnieh said:
I love the off the wall quality of the wall and how it takes different steps to the traditional crime thrillers.
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Marta said:
It’s an unusual take on the crime story and a very effective one.
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vinnieh said:
The unusual nature of the film is what drew me into it. It never felt generic or cliched.
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Marta said:
Couldn’t agree more!
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vinnieh said:
And Natalie Portman showed so much talent and confidence in her debut role. Watching her on screen, it’s hard to believe it was her first acting job.
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Marta said:
Oh yes, such presence! She grabs your attention from the get go.
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vinnieh said:
Indeed she does, no one else could have played Mathilda so well.
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ninvoid99 said:
I do love this film but… I still haven’t seen the original international cut of it as that’s kind of like a holy grail for me.
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vinnieh said:
I didn’t know there was another cut of it, will have to hunt it down.
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ninvoid99 said:
There is a longer cut known as the international cut that relates a lot to Leon’s relationship with Mathilda as it was considered way too controversial for American audiences.
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Rincewind said:
I adore this movie and is definitely in my top 5 great movies. Outstanding cast all across, I notice some people thinks Gary was over the top but I feel it works in this movie… and Danny Aiello, although a very small part does an amazing job.
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vinnieh said:
I believe Oldman is over the top but in the best possible way because his chair character is so crazed and frightening.
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Rincewind said:
My point as well and considering the other performances in this movie which are great but playing it low, Oldman is a great character changing from the norm of the movie…
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vinnieh said:
He really knows how to turn the dial up on the out of control chart.
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Rincewind said:
Hihi oh hell yeah and I do still consider him one of my favourite actors. He is awesome..
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vinnieh said:
He is so very talented and hugely versatile.
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keepsmealive said:
Total classic. Every time I see it, I love it. So very well done.
Your post reminds me I once saw Reno on the street in Montreal. It happened so fast I didn’t get to say Hi, but I wish I could have!
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vinnieh said:
That’s cool that you saw Reno in the flesh.
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keepsmealive said:
Briefly, but yes!
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Wendell said:
I love this movie, but I am one that finds the relationship between Leon and Mathilda very uncomfortable. It’s not just her affection for him, but how much he reciprocates and the murky nature of it all. It makes for a very uneasy watch. However, that’s part of what makes it great. It makes us apprehensive and then makes us question our own opinion because we think that can’t possibly be what’s going on, and we never really get an answer, either. It’s a masterclass in ambiguity. Of course, Old man’s bizarre yet frightening turn helps wonders.
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vinnieh said:
I can see why many would look at the relationship like that as it does really push the boundaries a lot. And yes Oldman was a frightening and manic guy here.
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Afzal Moolla said:
What a film! A true classic ! Thanks man, for a great review of a timeless masterpiece
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vinnieh said:
I love the enthusiasm of your comment, cheers Afzal.
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Afzal Moolla said:
Always a pleasure to read your awesome reviews, bra … (bra = friend in South Africa)
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for teaching me a new word man.
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Afzal Moolla said:
cool, my brother
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badblokebob said:
Great review, Vinnie. This is one of my absolute all-time favourites. Reno, Portman and Oldman are all fantastic in it; in fact, I don’t think any of them have ever been better.
I know some people find Leon and Mathilda’s relationship uncomfortable, but I’ve never really seen that. She’s clearly forward (shall we say) beyond her years, but that’s a result of her upbringing rather than Leon. Leon, for his part, is a child-like innocent, and bats her attentions away rather than engaging with them. But everyone’s mileage varies on things like this, so…
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vinnieh said:
The relationship between Leon and Mathilda really provokes opinion, but I’m of the same school of thought as you. I think she’s been surrounded by adult things for such a long time she’s had to grow up quickly, yet still retains bits of innocence.
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K. Barnett said:
The Leon/Matilda relationship is interesting. I always saw it as Leon being the one that was childlike and Matilda being the adult, and neither one of them really knowing how to properly express love in a “proper” way, since Matilda did not have a good relationship with her own father and Leon is obviously not one to let people in.
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vinnieh said:
I can definitely see that as Leon is quite naive despite his profession while Mathilda has been forced to grow up fast. Thank you for checking my blog out.
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XandrewX said:
A great movie I must watch again.
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vinnieh said:
It’s so worthy of multiple viewings.
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ruth said:
Oh this is a great movie! I saw this years ago but so impressed w/ it. Jean Reno’s great as Leon, but it’s Portman and Oldman who stole the movie here, I think it remains one of everyone’s best work to date.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a movie that never gets old as the performances and energy of it are as fresh as ever.
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ruth said:
Yeah, it’s my fave Luc Besson movie. I don’t think he’s topped this one since, and he’s made some dreadful ones like The Family, ugh!
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The Vern said:
When I saw The Professional I really liked it. When I saw Leon a few years later. I fell in love with it. You are right in that it does use flashy editing and cool action scenes but it never forgets the emotions of it’s main characters.
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vinnieh said:
It’s one of those films that is both thrilling and driven by emotions. There are so many movies out there that forget the emotions of the characters, but this is definitely not one of them.
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Coolsville said:
Jean Reno is the best!
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vinnieh said:
He rocks in this movie.
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Jordan Dodd said:
I re-watched this recently. Amazing film. I loved Oldman in this, he is so brilliantly crazy!
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vinnieh said:
It’s a film that I find is entertaining even after many viewings.
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Jordan Dodd said:
And you’re right about Natalie Portman too. That young, able to play that kind of role…. wow
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vinnieh said:
It’s a truly astonishing performance that was wise beyond her years.
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alexraphael said:
Saw this years ago. Even now leaves a strong impression. Natalie Portmans performance was just superb. Fan choice to review. You’ve captured why it was so different and unusual.
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vinnieh said:
It feels great knowing you liked that I captured the essence of the film, that’s what I always attempt to do.
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emmakwall said:
A classic 90s action/thriller that will always be remembered well! I didn’t love this as much as some people do, but of course I like it 🙂 their relationship is one of the best factors of the story. Excellent review Vinster.
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vinnieh said:
The relationship in the film is so different from others portrayed on screen and that brings a uniqueness to it.
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Dan said:
Brilliant film. I love the performances in this one alongside Luc Besson’s roving camera. Gary Oldman is phenomenal as is the development of the relationship between assassin and child pupil.
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vinnieh said:
It is a work of real brilliance and an utter marvel. The development in the relationship between Leon and young Mathilda is well done and something very different from Hollywood fare.
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Human Interest said:
I remember watching this movie as a kid with my father. I love this movie and it never gets old!
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vinnieh said:
It’s a movie that retains the same amazing impact that it had when I first saw it.
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Human Interest said:
Hell yeah. I love movies that do that!
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vinnieh said:
They are the best kind of movies.
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Human Interest said:
I agree.
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vinnieh said:
Nothing like a movie that lingers in the mind for a long time.
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Human Interest said:
Would you say movies today have that effect on you too?
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vinnieh said:
Yes I would say that in regard to quite a few movies of the last few years, too many to name.
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Human Interest said:
Really? That’s good to know. Maybe I should watch a few then.
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vinnieh said:
The one thing that is essential for me to like a film is a good story. Without that, the film is not going to get my attention.
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Human Interest said:
That makes sense. My thing are books and video games with a good story obviously. I love books because I create my own mental movie. I love video games because I get to interact with the movie created by another.
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vinnieh said:
At the heart of everything is a story.
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Human Interest said:
Exactly. A bad story makes for bad art.
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vinnieh said:
You said it perfectly. Movie wise, what do you enjoy?
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Human Interest said:
A good story. I don’t like movies because with movies it is what it is. I like how impactful they are because they’ll stay with you forever.
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vinnieh said:
I like your answer.
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Human Interest said:
Good.
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Lloyd Marken said:
It was called The Professional here and despite being a massive Portman fan the film was nearly 20 years old by the time I saw it. Naturally there’s cause for discomfort with the relationship between the two leads which is why Reno wisely wanted to play Leon almost like a child savant. I think it works as a result. I liked Oldman being OTT since that’s kind of Besson’s style. Finally doesn’t New York look differently here through French eyes?
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vinnieh said:
New York definitely has a more edgy and adventurous quality in this film. And Portman blew me away.
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cinephileparadise said:
Reblogged this on Cinephile Paradise.
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