rating:
(out of
4 stars)France; 1994
Directed by Luc Besson; produced by Patrice Ledoux; written by Luc Besson
Starring Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel, Michael Badalucco
Below you will find a temporary review for this film. The real (better, more complete) review will be online very soon.
'Léon' is a great action movie from director Luc Besson. The story is about
a hit man Léon (Jean Reno) who kind of adopts a 12-year old girl named
Matilda (Natalie Portman) after her family is shot by corrupt Agent
Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Matilda will help Léon with little things and in
return Léon must kill the people who killed her family. Not that she liked
her parents and sister very much, but she loved her very little brother.
Matilda also want to become a professional killer herself and because she
insists Léon helps her learn the basics.
Although this movie with its great visual style is a great action movie, a
great crime movie and a fine thriller as well the movie has its focus on the
relationship between the girl and the hit man. This fact gives the movie
something extra, something that makes it even more different from the
familiar movies and stories. The movie hints to certain possibilities.
Because of the opening sequences everything the little girl does and knows
seems plausible and that is a great achievement from the film makers.
The acting is terrific as well. Portman as the little girl shows why she has
become the star she is now, Reno as the quiet hit man is perfect and the
best thing in every scene he does is Gary Oldman. It seems Oldman can do
anything. Lee Harvey Oswald, Dracula, a crazy drug dealer in 'True Romance',
Beethoven or whatever kind of criminal, Oldman does it all equally good. The
acting, direction from Besson, the great visual style and the interesting
story make 'Léon' a great movie.