First Time Watching LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL (1994) Reaction & Commentary

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Storyline
Léon: The Professional is a 1994 English-language French action-thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. It stars Jean Reno and Gary Oldman, and features the film debut of Natalie Portman.
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FAIR USE:
Creative Commons License
creativecommons.org/licenses
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, commenting, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@RyanCarrington]

With the end of the year approaching fast, Let's hear your recommendations for next year 😊 Also, how's everyone getting on with their Christmas shopping? Please don't say im the only one to have barely started 😅

[@notjustforhackers4252]

Boogie Nights (1997) WarGames (1983) Contact (1997) This Is Spinal Tap (1984) A Fish Called Wanda (1988) I'm sure the usual "I don't know what the fuck to buy" panic on the 24th will happen the same as every year.

[@somthingbrutal]

The Devils 1971

[@MindFeather]

Terry Gilliam -- Brazil, 12 Monkeys, and/or Fisher King Delicatessen (French) Everything Everywhere All At Once

[@MindFeather]

or damn -- "Baraka" if you want to try something with absolutely zero dialog yet audio and visual perfection.

[@Yas23gl]

"Interview with the vampire" would be interesting, maybe "Memento" or "the Thruman Show". Christmas shop? Haven't started yet 😅

[@gggooding]

Cute thing I noticed after multiple viewings: When Matilda gives the wrong knocking code to the fuzz, she's _also_ sending a warning to Leon. The code she gives them is 3...2...1...

[@mrtveye6682]

Reno and Oldman are nailing their parts perfectly, but Portmans performance is just outstanding. IMO amongst the best ever performances by any child/teen actor/actress ever. The scene when she first comes to Leons door alone is Oscar-worthy. She was 12 or 13 at that time, and it was her first major role AFAIK.

[@RyanCarrington]

Yeah, as an adult, that would be great, but considering she was only a kid... Insane talent.

[@kimmyfreak200]

Portman was phenomenal in this movie...gary is one of my fav actors...oh and gary oldman was sensational in TRUE ROMANCE too... what little screen time he had in that it was still so iconic..hope he reacts to that gem of a film,...great cast.

[@mrtveye6682]

@@kimmyfreak200 "True Romance" is indeed a great movie. Taking into account how famous Tarantino is, it's a shame it's not that popular. IMO one of the best scripts Tarantino has written.

[@phueal]

That, and the russian roulette scene.

[@kimmyfreak200]

@@mrtveye6682 V for vendetta was awesome too..natalie was good in that too

[@chrissiegle1065]

This movie is like fine art... It's made to get you out of your comfort zone... almost make you feel uncomfortable... while it hits you with some of the best acting ever... especially from 12 and a half year old Natalie. Just a superb movie. Great choice.

[@RyanCarrington]

Yeah, was a good movie with some great acting. I don't mind feeling a bit uncomfortable from time to time.

[@darthracer777]

@@RyanCarrington yeah, she should have won an Oscar for this, not Black Swan. Oh...there's a lot of Leon and Mathilda fanfiction out there on 'what if' scenarios if Leon survived and they continued to 'clean'. One story has them retiring when she gets to be 18 (Leon's in his mid 40s) and they travel to Italy to escape the Feds. Then things get 'spicy' between them and, well.....they have kids together. Don't you love a happy ending? LOL....

[@eldonstrackeii7892]

Sleeping in a chair, in a shadowed corner that is hidden by the door when it opens is a safety measure. Anyone sent in at night will expect the target to be in the bedroom.

[@wraithje]

im suprised no one gets that

[@dosnostalgic]

Luc Besson had a winning streak fairly early in his career. Nikita - Leon - The Fifth Element are amazing films.

[@LaoWatsonSmith]

big blue

[@dosnostalgic]

@@LaoWatsonSmith The Big Blue is a guilty pleasure of mine (I own 3 versions of it,) an amazing film it is not, imo.

[@RyanCarrington]

It's just Nikita I need to see. Love The Fifth Element though. Wish I hadn't seen it so I could've done it on the channel!

[@joeldumas5861]

Jean Réno's performances in Léon and the Big Blue are quite the opposite: Léon is as introverted as Enzo Molinari was extroverted. Both outstanding acting!

[@kimmyfreak200]

@@RyanCarrington ever see THE CROW 1994 bruce lee's son brandon is in it..the one he passed away making..it's so good

[@hgijanto]

I always felt like Leon was a little on the spectrum, which is why he sometimes looks at things with such wonder and joy. Why he is able to hyperfocus on his job... He is painfully awkward. She is fascinated with him cause she bonds with him. She isn't used to the kind of attention he gives. It is not in a super gross way. It is uncomfortable, but he maintains the boundaries fully, and it becomes a really beautiful platonic love story.

[@BouillaBased]

"This guy is...surgical." This film takes "show, don't tell" to epic levels, and not just in the action or establishing the characters. Simply masterful.

[@KurticeYZ]

51:22 Natalie Portman is a young growing adult obviously with maturity coming in it's a whole part of the story and Leon being old but his mind is like a child cuz he never really he never continued growing after his girlfriend died so they're both in the stagnant place in their life but they're both as you said providing with each other benefits. Leon is mature although ultimately. it's a awkward message but pretty important one to be continue to be told. Leons youth is represented by milk and a plant stuck in a pot. Theres TONS TO ANALYZE IN THIS MOVIE.

[@RyanCarrington]

Yeah, this was a good one to watch through again while editing. Definitely gives again and again with multiple viewings.

[@KurticeYZ]

@@RyanCarrington i see him as a father figure but i think he said what he said in the end to get Mathilde to go and give her peace and strength to move on.

[@RyanCarrington]

@KurticeYZ when he was trying to get her in the wall? Yeah, I didn't take that as a romantic thing.

[@LordVolkov]

Stansfield is one of Gary Oldman's most unsettling perfomances. He's so creepy, ruthless, and weird. The closest I've seen him get is Old Drac from Bram Stoker's Dracula and Drexl from True Romance.

[@RyanCarrington]

Unsettling is definitely the word to use.

[@jamesnorthup7717]

Love true romance!!

[@TennSeven]

Portman was only 12 when she starred in this movie, which is really a testament to her acting skills and the directing skills of Luc Besson. And, just to put it out there, Gary Oldman is absolutely fantastic in everything he's ever been in. Additionally, in the US the police forces "screening" processes are notorious for letting criminals and the mentally unfit become cops. According to many studies incidences of domestic violence, suicide, and criminal behavior are much higher among members of the US police force than among members of the rest of the public.

[@markcarpenter6020]

Portman was 12 when she filmed this (she turned 13 before it was released) however the part was originally written as older. (Mid to late teens) And they actually had to change parts of the movie after casting her.

[@LordVolkov]

There's some interesting shots in The Professional and I love that we don't see Jean Reno for a few minutes. It really builds his mystique, which is further complicated by seeing his small personal life afterwards, showing him to be a gentle kind soul. There's a lot of juxtaposition in The Professional, especially in regard to the emotional ages of our protagonists - Leon is very childish emotionally, while Matilda is far too grown from her tragic home life.

[@notjustforhackers4252]

I'm paraphrasing but you can read the full story in the book "Hitchcock/Truffaut", the point remains the same... Hitchcock did an audience experiment, he made three films and showed them to different sets of people. He filmed himself sitting on a park bench and then smiling. In the first film he inter-cut a shot of a dog playing on the grass and asked people to comment, to which the reaction was "What nice man smiling at a dog". In the second he removed the dog and replaced it with a young girl in a bikini. The reaction this time was rather different "What a dirty old man". In the final film he added another shot of the girl standing up, walking over to the bench and sitting down next to the old man and the girls parents, the old man hands her a towel. The finial reaction was "What a nice family". The point to this story is that we all bring our own perception and prejudice to what we witness. Leon is less understood today than it was when first released particularly with American audiences. For context I highly recommend watching Besson's earlier La Femme Nikita, paying particular attention to the line "you have to use your feminine charms", Matilda is the real villain of Leon. The film was known as simply "Leon" in Europe and "The Professional" in the US. Not so fun fact: The actor who played Benny was sadly killed in the 9/11 attack. The shot of Leon appearing and then disappearing into darkness at the start of the film is a direct reference to Harry Limes introduction in "The Third Man (1949)". I think I'll throw an actual French film your way Ryan.... "Amélie (2001)".

[@HC-iu1vs]

"The point to this story is that we all bring our own perception and prejudice to what we witness. Leon is less understood today than it was when first released particularly with American audiences..." Oldboy was creepier to me.

[@slowerthinker]

"Jean Reno just looks French" You say that, but with a stick of chewing gum and an Elvis impression he could fool anyone ;oP iykyk

[@joeldumas5861]

Léon is supposed to be Italian. But Jean Réno is a Morocco born French, and his accent in English is definitely French.

[@questionablehumor2800]

The part where we're more uncomfortable with Mathilda's sorting out her emotions and feelings than we are about the saturation in violence.

[@benjamindeharo314]

The influence of American cinema, no doubt

[@ReneeV]

As a teenager I married a man who’s 30 years older than me. He is still my everything, and we will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary this year. Sometimes you just know what you want, even when you are young. What “doesn’t” work for some people does for others… plain and simple. And for the record I don’t have Daddy issues, and my husband is not a creep. My parents raised me in a wonderful household and my Dad is still my hero to this day…my parents also adore my husband as well. In fact it was my husband who was reluctant about our relationship from the start due to the age difference, but I perused him…and love won. Sadly, people will always judge you… they judge if there is an age difference, a race difference, a religion difference, a status difference, a looks difference, etc. If you don’t fit into what they feel is right… then it must be wrong in their minds.

[@HC-iu1vs]

not that common though which is why most react the way they do.

[@barrycohen311]

I had seen this way back when it first came out and not again since. I did not remember it being nearly this good. About 15 minutes into your reaction I was like WTF? I downloaded it and watched the entire movie again. It is excellent. I then finished watching your reaction to it. Good stuff man.

[@RyanCarrington]

That's awesome, man! Glad I could help you rediscover it 👊

[@mundanepants]

As much as it's realistic that a traumatized little girl of Mathilda's age would assume she was romantically and sexually attracted to Leon because she's traumatized and alone and a developing teen, and that Leon with his stunted and emotionally abandoned stage would also not understand/know about boundaries, it's also very telling that Luc Besson at 31, was "dating" a 15 year old girl Maïwenn Besco he'd met when she was 12 (he "graciously" waited until she was 15 to start anything sexual). She gave birth to their kid at 16. This dating happened when he was making Leon. Portman herself says she has complicated feelings about the movie, because like it's obviously a well made movie and she gives a stunning performance at only 13, but there are also 2 cut scenes that were only cut because her parents insisted: one where Mathilda tells Leon she wants him to take her virginity, and another of him walking in on a naked Mathilda showering. The latter wasn't filmed, while the former was. And Portman also got a slew of creepy fan mail from adult men with their r*pe fantasies after the movie was released.

[@wiccalady9948]

I would trust Leon to behave. I would not trust the director or some of the creepy people watching it. Carrington I would trust since he was appropriately grossed out. Sad to hear Portman had to go through that. Yuck.

[@philmakris8507]

That is a chubby Matt Damon. Lol. That actor is a veteran NY based character actor that's been a bunch of films and I never thought of that before. Now I can't unsee it. 😅

[@RyanCarrington]

I'm sorry 😂

[@kyrosv1289]

I really like that you appreciated the incredible artistry of this film!!

[@RyanCarrington]

So slick!

[@JeremyHodges]

"It's all the milk." I died.

[@RyanCarrington]

😂

[@jamesguidry6669]

The 1st movie I saw directed by Luc Besson was "La Femme Nikita". French with subtitles but still worth a watch. I also recommend "Unleashed" or "Danny the Dog", depending on where you live. It's written by Luc Besson with Oscar-worthy performances by the entire cast, including Jet Li (yes, Jet Li. I said it!😊)

[@KurticeYZ]

32:32 all these door to door training scenes arent in the theatrical cut. And they are my FAVORITE SCENES

[@rahbeat9785]

they're not ? i remember them

[@KurticeYZ]

@@rahbeat9785 well it might be in tge Theatrical cut in Europe but the american version is what i was referring too

[@RyanCarrington]

That's a shame! It's a good montage.

[@twovaguepodcast]

Another one of my favorite Gary Oldman insane villain performances is in True Romance. It’s a Quinten Tarantino script that was directed by Tony Scott. It’s one of my favorites, and I think you’ll appreciate it.

[@TampaCEO]

There is also a "made for TV" version of this movie that kept out some of the "creepier" moments of this film. Once you take away the dinner scene with the champagne, or "girl's first time" speech, the film is a lot more "watchable". I still consider this to be one of the greatest films of all time regardless.

[@duncansolloway2497]

one of the craziest things about this film is that it was cast and filmed while there was a delay in the production of THE FIFTH ELEMENT which had already started

[@RyanCarrington]

Oh that's interesting!

[@philmakris8507]

The shot where they bring in the grenade launcher with that arabesque music is so fucking epic.

[@karllong]

What a treat this film is, hope you enjoy. BTW Luc Besson's other film La Femme Nikita is kind of a prequel to this with an appearance from 'the cleaner'. This film got heavily censored in the US due to it's Lolletaesque vibes.

[@agarven1]

I love Gary Oldman in this film. This film is what got me into Gary Oldman’s acting. You should check out the movie True Romance. It has a big cast of actors in it. Gary Oldman plays a Jamaican drug lord in True Romance and he plays his role so well even though he has like a 5 minute role in the film

[@victoriac4317]

This is one of my favourite roles of Gary Oldman’s.

[@RyanCarrington]

He's too good!

[@HalkerVeil]

In my city, St. Louis, cops don't come for an hour. If they pick up at all. You often get put on hold.

[@catcherinthesky4106]

Ryan is a cool cat. Always entertaining and obviously a nice dude. Good for you Mr. Carrington! Ps: this movie is class - in my book this is Besson's masterpiece.

[@RyanCarrington]

👊👊👊

[@maxstone6953]

The entire opening sequence was not in the theatrical release as well as most of the creepy romantic overtones. Phenomenal reaction brother.

[@KurticeYZ]

The longer version is def better. Thanks for trying at least. Respect. And to the viewers suggesting the ext cut

[@DIDCOTTWIST]

Keith A Glascoe who played Benny the black bloke with Gary Oldman was a firefighter who died in the twin towers 911 attack as one of the responding firefighters 😢😢

[@Nah_Mate_Aint_Nowt]

Peak Besson, Nikita, Subway and Angel A are great Shouts Too. There were so many great French films around this Time too - the stylish fantasy Jeunet films like Delicatessen and City of the Lost children - crazy action films Like Taxi and Dobermann, to the extreme like la Haine and Man Bites Dog (french speaking but Belgian). Basically I suggest go on a 90s french binge (even the Arty ones like the colours trilogy, Lovers on the bridge and The Double Life of Véronique. Just Go Ham make a month of it. Then next Halloween try their New wave Horror films from the Nauties.

[@TampaCEO]

This film put Natalie on the map. Best actress at a mere 12 years old. Clearly she was destined to become a superstar.

[@omanipadmeum7319]

There are two scenes in which Gary Oldman simply improvised. The first is in the hallway after it's said that he would be able to smell any lie. It was never in the script for Garry to get so close to Matilda's father and smell him in such detail. If you look closely, you can see how uncomfortable this makes his fellow actor. In the second one, he wanted to take the piss out of the director. Before that, he had already told the sound man to take off his headphones. It's the scene in which he tells his colleague to bring in everything the police have to offer. When his colleague asks him what he means by that, he should just answer normally. Instead, in the first take he yells: EVERYONE! This was then adopted for the movie because it was really impressive for the director.

[@joeldumas5861]

Also "BINGO!" that was, totally unscripted and unexpected. Pure Oldman! I also remember a making off showing several takes of Stanfield confronting Mr Lando ("you don't like Beethoven"). All totally different!

[@robertbunting3117]

For 13-14, it's absolutely stunning how show holds her own in scenes with both Jean Reno, but especially Gary Oldman

[@poindexterjones206]

Excellent film and performances.

[@jamesnorthup7717]

He almost killed Matilda the first night because he knew she would destroy his whole way of life , and he sleeps in the chair because of the job he does, always ready!

[@wiccalady9948]

I always took it that he knew she was permanently scarred by this and was suffering. When your pet is suffering and there's no other way...euthanasia seems like mercy. Its dark, but his life is taking the lives of others. In his dark world he felt she might be better off dead. She nearly did it to herself after all.

[@justwatching6186]

The shorter version has a lot of the “uncomfortable” scenes removed.

[@level10tenx81]

Natalie's parents didn't want her to do those intimate scenes, not even smoke. The director had many personal conversations with Nats parents, slowly convincing how it was necessary too the film. I've heard many scenes were taken from the directors personal life!? A behind the scenes documentary. And Gary Oldmon used Beethoven & his music as an influence do too playing the Great Composer himself in Immortal Beloved.

[@tylerfoster6267]

Although Leon is a great movie, probably Besson's best, unfortunately the Mathilda/Leon stuff ends up feeling drawn from Besson's own life in a gross way. The age of consent in France was 15 or something like that, and when Besson made this movie (I'm presuming it was shot in 1993), he was 34 married to a 17-year-old named Maiwenn, the actress seen in the opening sequence leaving the gangster's apartment. She is also in Besson's Fifth Element as an opera singer, and went onto become a director herself. Sticking strictly to the movie, it is worth noting that Mathilda is always the one who shows attraction towards Leon, and not vice-versa. There is the whole thing about Leon being a child in a mental sense, but I think that's sort of flimsy, and no matter what, Besson is the writer, so even a decision like making Mathilda the aggressor is sort of loaded, but I would also say that Portman and Reno are both so great in their roles that even if scenes in the movie are uncomfortable, it is also clear that the characters are not going to cross any lines. Still, it's no wonder that 20 minutes of Mathilda/Leon relationship material were cut out when this movie was released in the US in 1994 as "The Professional," narrowing the movie to just an action film. Even though Besson seems like a terrible guy (not just for his former marriage but also for various other allegations against him), I agree that La Femme Nikita would be a great one to watch. There was a US remake of La Femme Nikita already, called Point of No Return, starring Bridget Fonda, but I had always thought a great Leon sequel would've been to remake La Femme Nikita and make the main character Mathilda. (In reality, a Leon sequel was written in the late 2000s, but Portman turned it down, and the movie was instead rewritten to be an original script and released as Columbiana, starring Zoe Saldana.)

[@ShaneH5150]

all the weird stuff was not in the theatrical/american cut. didn't even know this version was a thing until about 10 years ago

[@dIggl3r]

- What do you mean everyone? - *EVERYONE!* 🤬

[@RyanCarrington]

Scary stuff!

[@philmakris8507]

Thanks Ryan for the new slang "pie him off" 😂😂😂

[@RyanCarrington]

You're welcome 😂 You can also just say 'got pied' haha

[@Jacob_Junge]

Regarding your questions about why the police doesn't immediately show up to investigate gunfire: It's New York in the early '90s, when crime rates were at their highest ever, and police simply didn't have the resources to respond to everything. E.g. in '93 when the movie was shot, there were almost 2000 reported murders in NYC, compered to less than 500 last year.

[@pantlessreactions]

9:59 Why Is He Sleeping In A chair? He's an assassin & there are likely very unhappy people after he k!lls someone close to them & they may want revenge. If another assassin comes for him at night, believing he's asleep, where are they going to look first? In a chair in the corner, or in a bed where everyone else normally sleeps? So sleeping in a chair is for safety & to stay alive, which the director shows beautifully at the end after Leon finally sleeps in a bed.

[@philmakris8507]

I think it's implied that Leon is actually Italian. All his weapons are Italian. And the mafia has a habit if bringing ppl in from the old country. Like Furio Guinta is the Sopranos. Also I think Beeson didn't want to be redundant as he had already done the French hit woman thing already in La Femme Nikita.

[@maxinecribbs3384]

You have the best reactions and I’m only 5 minutes in and you crack me up 😂💀🤣

[@RyanCarrington]

Haha thanks! Glad you get my sense of humour. Not everyone does 😂

[@caterinas1627]

Enjoying your channel today…film after film, great reactions, excellent laugh ❤

[@RyanCarrington]

So glad you're having fun over here 🙌

[@traceyreid4585]

My brother and me are proper film buffs... to this day whenever any one says everyone, one of us has to do the "EVER-Y-ONNNNE!" 😂 😂This was great to watch along to, you FKIN EL's were on point in this weird world! 👏👏

[@genghispecan]

Besson penned a sequel featuring an adult Mathilda but for a variety of reasons the project never came together; however he ended up adapting the screenplay into the film Columbiana, which is about a morally ambiguous young lady's war against a drug cartel... it's pretty easy to see how the main character was originally Mathilda.

[@mickthemerciless9694]

Great movie. Sting's song was the icing on the cake.

[@PPfilmemacher]

Watching this movie for the first around the age of 11 or 12 and witnessing the family murder scene scarred me a little bit ngl Which is probably one of the reasons why I’m being this messed up today

[@mathiash.1379]

Only Garry Oldman could deliver this "shit" just as perfect as he did.

[@isaintrovert]

I am beyond happy that you did a reaction to this movie. I love this story so freaking much ❤

[@brianwalley2131]

Natalie Portman was born in 1981. Leon: The Professional was released in 1994

[@LordVolkov]

Concerning the 'ick' factor - I have to assume that is all from Luc Besson, who is pretty much a creeper. The blonde in the intro was his wife, who he met when she was underage 😬 (and later dumped for Milla Jovovich on Fifth Element). He makes good movies though 😅 so I kinda put him in the same box as Polanski (and Kubrick to a non-paedo degree) - appreciate the art, denounce the artist's behaviour.

[@genghispecan]

The motif of sleeping in the chair is certainly freighted with some symbolism - but it's also a matter of practicality. Most home invasions come in the dead of night when people are expected to be in bed. Instead, he sleeps lightly in the corner, even wearing his shades to preserve his night vision and not be blinded by muzzle flash.

[@richb313]

Kinda surprised they never made a TV series out of it but even TV has limits.

[@Castlependragon]

If you think Gary Oldman's performance in this was creepy, you need to see Murder in the First. He's absolutely unrecognizable from this, and the performance is even more sinister. Also stars Christian Slater and Kevin Bacon, who is also amazing.

[@3DJapan]

Funny you mention video games. Jean Reno was in a game, Onimusha 3. His voice and likeness.

[@RyanCarrington]

Trying to recall if I played it. Looks familiar. 🤔

[@bobinmaine1]

As much as I enjoyed this review, and I truly did. I really hoped that as you are obviously a true film buff you might not be as creeped out by Leon and Matilda's relationship. I mean you did handle it better than a lot of people, but you still missed it. Matilda had a crush on Leon, from the very beginning of the film. 100% perfectly normal. However, her F'd up upbringing made it so that she had no idea how to deal with it. The things she saw in her life from probably the day she was born forced her to mature far more than her young brain could cope with. Leon did the best he could to ignore the crush and raise her to the best of his ability despite his F'd up life. Somehow it worked for both of them, and they never crossed any line that could not be uncrossed. I loved how much you appreciated the filming though. I don't know why film makers abandoned the long zooms and the tight shots that were very common from the 70's to this movie and are almost never used now, it's such a powerful tool that brings you in without really even noticing. Great review thanks for sharing.

[@RyanCarrington]

It's just a bit jarring going in cold. It wasn't so jarring watching for the second time while editing, knowing where things are heading and understanding the characters a bit more.

[@bzbzob]

I don't know if this will help, but further what bobinmaine said, it is a well known theme throughout the ages that some girls entering womanhood get seriously mad crushes, often on older guys. I mean, even in Indiana Jones, remember all his female students with cloudy infatuation in their eyes? That is why it was not weird for me, I knew Leon would never take advantage and Matilda is a troubled teenage girl with her first hormone downloads and this guy just saved her life in her eyes. She was pretty chill compared to some shit I have seen, ha ha. I have an older sister and she and her friends, oh my god, it was the 70s btw, things were way different and we grew up way way faster. Another example: Girls in the audience for The Beatles and other rock bands. It is a deeply emotional time for some girls. Leon was a perfect gentleman, excluding his job I guess... @@RyanCarrington

[@stobe187]

Mathilda is clearly traumatized by her family turmoil and has never had a positive and kind male role model, which is why she is quickly very infatuated with Leon. Leon clearly understands the boundary though, and experiences more of a fatherly love for Mathilda. Leon never reciprocates her romantic crush. I think he just started to enjoy a bit of humanity and friendship, especially with someone completely removed from his business contacts. While I do see why some viewers find it uncomfortable to watch, I do not understand the people who rush to label Leon as a paedophile. Non-EU audiences are always so deeply disturbed by this movie, as a European I don't quite understand why because to me it was always very clear from the first viewing what was (and wasn't) happening between Leon and Mathilda. ps. Gary Oldman is just mesmerizing as Stansfield. And yes, the extended cut is superior to the butchered US version..

[@wiccalady9948]

I agree. While its potentially a really uncomfortable situation, I feel the fatherly side of Leon is so obvious-he so strongly wanting to protect her-that any romantic or sexual tension in his mind is non-existent. He is completely unprepared for her flirting with him because it never entered his mind at all. Alone with him is the safest place she could be on the entire planet. It is understandable why she falls for him, as he's such a positive male role model and treats her like a person not a commodity. I hope when she's older she finds someone who can live up to him. I KNOW she's not going to tolerate an abusive scumbag as a romantic partner. He'll regret it. What a sad world the movie shows us where a hit-man is a better male role model than her own biological father or any of the DEA agents. Truly tragic that for some kids, this is too close to reality.

[@benjamindeharo314]

Even if he did reciprocate Mathilda's feeling, I'd still don't see the problem. In the midst of all the violence, the murders, Mathilda's family slaughter, including that of her 4yo brother, and being made to sympathize with a killer who teach a little girl how to kill, it's a forbidden love story that bothers them ? Anglophones moral compass, I guess...

[@wiccalady9948]

@@benjamindeharo314 He was teaching her to kill so she'd be able to deal with a very real threat. As he said he doesn't kill women or children. He also is shown killing only to defend himself or kill criminals. However, if he had taken advantage of her mental state and violated her he would have crossed the line and deliberately harmed a child-against his very own code. It would show he has no morals whatsoever, and he'd be no different from Stansfield. She was way too young to consent. If that had happened I would not have been able to watch anymore. Cuts too deep for me.

[@benjamindeharo314]

@@wiccalady9948 - "He was teaching her to kill so she'd be able to deal with a very real threat." Yeah, that's obviously the moral thing to do in this case, teaching the kid to kill instead of...placing her someplace safe, like in another country for example. - "As he said he doesn't kill women or children." As if killing men were somewhat morally okay - "He also is shown killing only to defend himself or kill criminals." That's not true, he clearly kills whoever tony told him to, he shows no concern about who they are. And even if that was the case, killing people is wrong regardless of who they are. - "However, if he had taken advantage of her mental state and violated her he would have crossed the line and deliberately harmed a child-against his very own code." As opposed to harming dozens of people and their loved ones by killing them, that is not crossing the line ? - "It would show he has no morals whatsoever, and he'd be no different from Stansfield." Such a black and white view is a clear anti-artistic approach to cinema. Good people can do bad things, that's one of the value of art, it can show this effectively by showing us the complex nature of humans in a fictional environment which allow us to have a more distanced view of things. That's the whole point of movies like American History X for example, you can show someone killing a black guy for racist reasons, and still makes us sympathize with him and show how it came to be this way. And even if he has no morals whatsoever, on what ground should a character in a movie have morals ? Does Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of The Lambs have morals ? Does Patrick Bateman from American Psycho have morals ? Does the Jack from "The House That Jack Built" have morals ? Does Keyser Söze from Usual Suspect have morals ? - "She was way too young to consent. If that had happened I would not have been able to watch anymore. Cuts too deep for me." But killing people, teaching a little girl how to kill, and having an entire family being slaughter by a psycho cop is fine by you. You watched too many American movies Art have no obligation to be moral, faulting a movie on this makes no sense.

[@wiccalady9948]

@@benjamindeharo314 I believe Leon was smuggled into the country, so he likely doesn't have a passport. Mathilda likely didn't have one either. And when looking for a fugitive, exists out of the state are generally heavily monitored. Escape wasn't an option and evasion would only work for so long. As was shown. Sooner or later there was going to be a confrontation. Luckily Leon got everyone. Otherwise Mathilda would have had to defend herself at some future point. So safety wasn't an option. The movie makes that very clear. The whole end battle was a result of Leon trying it your way, while teaching her. So your point is moot. Only killing men show he has rules. What he will and won't do. Morals. You don't have to agree with the morals to understand he does have them. It is art after all, as you say yourself. Cleaners are typically used as independent killers to deal with other families without starting a family vs family war-keeping things "clean". Most mobsters have in house killers to deal with non mob people. No where in the movie does Leon kill non criminals who have not first attacked him. Mathilda definitely suffered when Leon was killed. And her brother. Some of those Leon killed were selling drugs that would have harmed lots of people and their families. Killing is wrong no matter what is a hotly debated topic in society today. Any country with a military would say killing is on the table. Hence armed military. Even Swiss guards can carry lethal instruments. "Such a black and white view is a clear anti-artistic approach to cinema."-I think you are treating Leon in black and white tones. He kills people therefore he would do only bad things? There are reasons for what he does too. And did the main character in that movie have sex with a 13 year old girl?. No? Then its a moot point. Hannibal Lecter does have morals. Its why Clarice isn't afraid Lecter will come after her. It would be rude. And Lecter's morals prevent him from tolerating rudeness. Hence the death of his cell neighbor after that guy had disrespected her. Morals don't have to be agreeable to you for them to exist. Bateman is a psycho because he doesn't act within societies moral. The House that Jack built is an exploration of evil-a cornerstone of good vs evil morality. Ditto for the Usual Suspects. "But killing people, teaching a little girl how to kill, and having an entire family being slaughter by a psycho cop is fine by you. You watched too many American movies" Already addressed the killing part, and teaching a girl to defend herself. Never said a family slaughtered was fine by me. That sounds more like your opinion not mine. You even give an example of killing being done in a movie and being fine with it. Is that an opinion only you are allowed to have? Some have said that art with no purpose isn't art. Its wallpaper. If art has nothing to say is it art? If it does have something to say it has a story. A story usually has a world view. I.e. a moral. see: writersbeat.com/do-all-stories-need-a-moral-t15501.html I didn't fault the movie. Because it didn't go there. Because i don't like child porn. None of your examples had that. I'm not sure you want to be seen to support that. And you need to read between the lines. Since you missed my viewpoint completely.

[@tonyporenshenko425]

Great movie I bought a DVD of it at the Walmart 5 dollar bin back in January

[@fatlad5090]

the guy how plays benny was a new York firefighter and lost his life 2001 September 11 attacks.

[@mikegilgenbach4840]

"The weirdest I've ever seen Gary Oldman". Well now you have to watch True Romance. Oh, and then one of the Scenes from the first season of Barry will click.

[@MindFeather]

woooo! it's the wild carrington in its natural lighting habitat with artificial lights. THE ALGORITHM MUST SUBMIT TO THESE COMMENTS!

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

True Romance. Gary Oldman is frigging awesome in that one too.

[@evilalex87]

one of my fav films

[@monio.9444]

I have forgotten how awesome this movie is since I last saw it. Other movie recommendations: Pride and Prejudice, Almost famous (I recommend the uncut version, I think it's called Untitled or something), and also the movie Contact is a great SciFi-Drama with a feeling similar to Interstellar.

[@vallara1974]

I did name my son Leon after this movie in 96. Still stand by it! ;)

[@lucio2649]

My first name is Luc, and my second Leon. How about that?😎

[@markcarpenter6020]

In case you didn't know la femme Nakita started as a sequel to this movie but there was a mess with the rights to Leon so it became a different movie.

[@joeldumas5861]

Nikita came before Léon. Besson wrote Léon script as a gift to his friend Jean Réno. The idea was to reuse a character similar to in Jean's role in Nikita (Victor the Cleaner). He then heavily edited the script after casting Natalie Portman who was much younger than Maïwenn. For Besson, the filming was like a recess during the way too long production of the 5th Element. You're right, there was a mess: Besson received so many copyrighted drafts for a sequel (copy to some lawyers) that it was impossible to write a sequel without being sued. However Colombiana (script Besson, director Megaton) could be considered a spiritual sequel to Leon. There is also Noir a Japanese anime

[@edfred]

I think you'd like Ridley Scott's early film, The Duelists (1977).

[@jabbott6748]

Given the photos in your background and your reaction to this film I would suggest Usual Suspects. Feels like you would like that one.

[@blackmetalassasin1]

A great movie to do a reaction although the plotline is very different would be "Primal Fear" with Richard Gere and a young Edward Norton. This movie has an incredible storyline, excellent acting, and a interesting ending.

[@RandomPickles]

There are two edits of this movie and both are an insult to what it could be. There is an amazing movie in here with a good edit. I might have to do it myself.

[@BrittanyNgo01]

I try to view Matilda's infatuation of Leon as the result of two things: one, she is a (presumably) pubescent girl and as a former pubescent girl I can tell you that the weird, random crushes happen a lot and two, I don't think anyone has ever cared for her or taken care of her so she is likely confusing platonic love for romantic love. But, in actuality this mirrors Luc Besson's life. He met his second wife when she was 12, impregnated her at 15 and married her at 16. He was 29 when they met. (She is actually the blonde woman in the hotel room in the opening scene and the diva in Fifth Element) Matilda is 13 and Leon is 30 in the movie. He's also been accused of SAing several women. So, there's that ☠️

[@joellewilliams5852]

Colombiana is the spiritual sequel to leon, but there were rights issues , so it became its own thing .

[@mundomundovich2265]

You said its crazy world in the movie, but this is actually pretty realistic depiction of how some of the corrupted cops doing so much bad stuff, including dea ofc because there are huge money involved in this business ( in any country and state ) . Though Oldman's character depicting it abit over the top, but what else can you expect, this movie is dope as hell. Law enforcement is one of those areas always attracting all kind of power-hungry psychos, which totally makes sense.

[@Caredroia]

Oldman is the GOAT...and everyone knows...EEEEVVVVERRRYYYYYOOOONE!!!

[@dulguuntsg8389]

actually sequel was written BUT it was sold to other company. Colombiana (2011) is the sequel, sort of...

[@3DJapan]

The only thing I don't like is that she planted the plant right in the middle of the field. The landscaping people are just going to cut it down.

[@wiccalady9948]

Nooooooo! You ruined the ending now! I can't NOT think about that now! Agghhhhh!!! LOL

[@noelleparris9451]

A cleaner can't really afford to get too close to anyone. It's a liability, and the other person could be at risk at any time.

[@johngiresi3703]

How was Natalie and Oldman not nominated for an Oscar.

[@johnlangis9313]

Powerful!!!! The acting is...WOW!!!! Natalie Portman is AMAZING!!!

[@Bill_pierre]

Mathilda had a pretty bad upbringing, and I think Leon was the first real father-figure she's ever had. The way she tried to show that at times, though, gives us some sad insight into how "love" was expressed in her childhood. She never knew anything else. Random side note; but wasn't that shotgun blast in the bathtub insanely well done? I know someone's violent end shouldn't be a cinematic thumbs up, but that scene always stood out in my memory, with how visceral and real it looked.

[@gunmetal2890]

One of my top three movies of all time, the different versions can vary the experience quite a lot... The cut released here in Australia didn't have so many scenes about Matilda's enfatuation with Leon... there was a sense of it with the butterflies in the stomach comment, and getting kicked out of the housing complex for saying he was her lover, but that was pretty much the most of it, the extended cut takes it to the extra level. I believe the writer or the director was a little too well known for his questionable content like this. I could be wrong but I believe it had to be cut for certain countries also, for the same reason. Leon the movie, is a brilliant piece of art, I also found Gary Oldman in this movie and I still think this is his best role. Cheers.

[@Vohaul86]

Leon - along with Indiana Jones movies, Predator and Arachnophobia - was a movie my childhood friend told me much about when we were about 10-12 years old, but I was around 16-18 when I finally saw those for the first time. I was a bit worried Leon might have been a bit too hyped and not live up to the expectations, but the movie delivered. One of the movies that made me really love Gary Oldman as an actor. PS: Funnies movie talk in school was when I told that I had found from a VHS tape the final 15 minutes of this weird movie with hairy monster and a man blasting lightning from his hands. My friends told me that was probably the Mortal Kombat movie *that was just come to cinemas* (yes, we were stupid kids), but of course that was the legendary Big Trouble in Little China. It took me about 15-20 years from that day to see the complete movie for the first time. (And loved that one also, of course.)

[@justwatching6186]

Natalie was 13 when this came out, so she was probably 11 or 12 at filming.

[@user-ff8rs7gk6r]

Does it piss anyone else off that they changed the title of this movie after the fact? This came out in theaters as simply, "The Professional". Personally, I really liked that title a lot more.

[@mynameispaul0530]

Anne Parrilaud in La Femme Nikita is the REAL crazy. lol

[@RyanCarrington]

Hearing this echoed a lot here haha I'll add it to the list!

[@JollyCandyGrace]

Great reaction, I enjoyed it alot! Thanks!😊

[@RyanCarrington]

Thank you for watching!

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

Late to the show.. but if you want more of Scary Gary Oldman, give Air Force One with Harrison Ford is a must watch..

[@rollomaughfling380]

51:35 As others have said, Natalie was 12 when this was filmed. On the subject of their relationship, the book this is based on had them in a sexual relationship. Besson toned it down, because he knew that wouldn't play in the American market but that he chose that book as his subject matter in the first place says a lot about him, especially if you look at his history with young girls. Portman has spoken out publicly about how the experience of making this movie, and the aftermath of its release, really screwed up her adolescence, as the press were so focused on the sexuality of her character, and the fan mail she was getting was littered with grown men sending her rape-fantasy stories involving her, etc. Personally, I think Besson is at best a serious creep, and at worst, possibly a rapist.

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Gary Oldman

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

I am fairly certain Natalie Portman was only like 12 or 13 in this, because she was not even 18 when she did Star Wars: Episode One.

[@RyanCarrington]

She's too good!