Léon: The Professional
(1994)
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Léon: The Professional
(1994)
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jean Reno | ... | ||
| Gary Oldman | ... | ||
| Natalie Portman | ... | ||
| Danny Aiello | ... | ||
| Peter Appel | ... | ||
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Willi One Blood | ... |
1St Stansfield Man
(as Willie One Blood)
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| Don Creech | ... | ||
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Keith A. Glascoe | ... | |
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Randolph Scott | ... | |
| Michael Badalucco | ... | ||
| Ellen Greene | ... | ||
| Elizabeth Regen | ... | ||
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Carl J. Matusovich | ... | |
| Frank Senger | ... | ||
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Lucius Wyatt Cherokee | ... |
Tonto
(as Lucius Wyatt 'Cherokee')
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Mathilda, a twelve-year old New York girl, is living an undesirable life among her half-family. Her father stores drugs for two-faced cop Norman Stansfield. Only her little brother keeps Mathilda from breaking apart. One day, Stansfield and his team take cruel revenge on her father for stretching the drugs a little, thus killing the whole family. Only Mathilda, who was out shopping, survives by finding shelter in Léon's apartment in the moment of highest need. Soon, she finds out about the strange neighbour's unusual profession - killing - and desperately seeks his help in taking revenge for her little brother. Léon, who is completely unexperienced in fatherly tasks, and in friendships, does his best to keep Mathilda out of trouble - unsuccessfully. Now, the conflict between a killer, who slowly discovers his abilities to live, to feel, to love and a corrupt police officer, who does anything in his might to get rid of an eye witness, arises to unmeasurable proportions - all for the ... Written by Julian Reischl <julianreischl@mac.com>
"...if it's from a person who doesn't care about it."
What really stands out for me (aside from the really excellent direction of the action sequences) is the too-brilliant for its own good script. Oldman,Reno, and Portman deliver lines that would seem goofy if spoken by lesser performers. Oldman especially chews the scenery in a way that's both amusing and utterly menacing. I wonder if his Beethoven obsession is a nod to the ultra-violent Alex from A Clockwork Orange?
The American version ("The Professional") was the first version I saw. I'd originally had no real intention of seeing it because I'd read a pretty savage review of it likening it to child pornography. Clearly this particular reviewer had his head firmly planted in his rear. I'm surprised he could find room what with that tremendous stick in the way. Anyway, once I finally saw "Leon" for myself - thanks to my cinemaphile grandfather - I observed no such thing. This wasn't smut, it was love. Leon has no interest in Matilda sexually, but loves her as a father would love a daughter.
If you have a choice then go for the longer director's cut. You get about 15 minutes more film - and not just filler. These are scenes that truly expand upon the story.
My only complaints are about the almost complete under use of the completely underrated Danny Aiello, and Oldman's single dimensional evilness.