La Femme Nikita (1990)
"Nikita" (original title)

Convicted felon Nikita, instead of going to jail, is given a new identity and trained, stylishly, as a top secret spy/assassin.

Director:

Luc Besson

Writer:

Luc Besson

Stars:

Anne Parillaud, Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anne Parillaud	...	Nikita
Marc Duret	...	Rico
Patrick Fontana	...	Coyotte
Alain Lathière	...	Zap
Laura Chéron	...	La punk
Jacques Boudet	...	Le pharmacien
Helene Aligier	...	La pharmacienne
Pierre-Alain de Garrigues	...	Flic pharmacie
Patrick Pérez	...	Flic pharmacie (as Patrick Perez)
Bruno Randon	...	Flic pharmacie
Vincent Skimenti	...	Flic pharmacie
Roland Blanche	...	Flic interrogatoire
Joseph Teruel	...	Stagiaire flic
Jacques Disses	...	Avocat
Stéphane Fey	...	Président tribunal (as Stephane Fey)

Storyline

Nikita est très jeune, elle a vingt ans, mais elle a emprunté une mauvaise voie. Pendant un hold-up avec sa bande, elle tue un policier et est condamnée à la prison à vie. Les services secrets, par contre, lui offrent une voie de sortie : devenir un agent spécial, prêt à tout, à leur service. Nikita accepte et commence ainsi un apprentissage très dur qui concerne non seulement les différents modes de tuer, de prendre la fuite ou de faire face à des situations imprévues, mais aussi la manière de se comporter en femme qui a de la classe, capable de se conduire avec aisance dans tous les milieux. Sous la conduite de Bob, Nikita arrive à freiner son caractère rebelle et à surmonter la terrible épreuve finale. Elle semble être devenue une personne différente et tombe amoureuse. Mais faut-il faire confiance aux services secrets ?

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Plot Keywords:

murder | kill | gun | one word title | venice italy | 

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Taglines:

Sie tötet. Um zu leben. (She murders. So she can live.)

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

April 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

La Femme Nikita

Filming Locations:

Old Seita factory, Paris 12, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 50,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,017,971 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont, Les Films du Loup, Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "big gun" Nikita uses during the restaurant scene is a two toned Israel Military Industries Desert Eagle Mark VII chambered in .357 magnum

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Goofs

While firing the weapon in the kitchen, Nikita clearly finishes the clip (the slide locks open), but in the next shot the slide is forward again. Also the number of rounds she fires with the second clip (before she checks and finds it empty) is less than the number of rounds she fires with the first clip. It is unlikely that Bob (or anyone else) would give her less than a full clip of bullets.

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Quotes

Amande: There are two things that are infinite: femininity and means to take advantage of it.

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Connections

Referenced in Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal (1999)

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Soundtracks

"The Dark Side of Time"
(uncredited)
Performed by Eric Serra
Words by Luc Besson
Backing vocals by Yvonne Jones & Slim Batteux

User Reviews

This film is cooler than a fortnight in Antartica wearing a bikini, drinking chilled vodka with ice-packs strapped to your body.

Forget the awful series. Forget the even worse Hollywood remake 'The Assassin'. Remember Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita.

This has got to be one of the most stylish, moody and gripping films in existence. Luc Besson's direction is refreshing whilst the cinematography is simply stunning, particuarly the scene in the hotel where Nikita gets her first assignment. The soundtrack by Eric Serra is simply genius and actually adds something to the film...soundtracks usually seem to be an afterthought but refreshingly; not in this case.

The beautiful Anne Parillaud is perfect in the lead role (unlike Bridget Fonda) and the subtle romance between her and Tcheky Karyo is pure eloquence. The hugely talented Jean-Hughes Anglade (of Betty Blue fame) shines in this film but of all the male roles, Jean Reno (also fabulous in Luc Besson's Leon)is outstanding as the completely unbalanced Victor The Cleaner. Jeanne Moreau as Amande makes a notable appearence following years of contributions in countless films.

Luc Besson established himself as one of the leading innovative directors with this film and you can easily see why. This movie certainly rates among the top 10 films of all time.

I could pontificate about this film all day and all night but the best thing is for you to watch it yourself as a matter of priority...it is a 'must see'.

I'm off now to pursue a career in international assassinations.