LEON THE PROFESSIONAL (1994) First Time Watching MOVIE REACTION

[@jenmurrayxo]

Which version do you prefer? Crime Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLQHhQlj8i5dqlmiIFyVb3oMZkOwoQAJsz

[@shadowvessel]

Director's Cut 🤘

[@mr.a8315]

The full length Jen reaction version.

[@jessiechen279]

F-Yeah! Jen watching 'Leon' Finally! Instant click 😂 Def one my top 'Ten' maybe even 'Five'. Both versions great just one from his perspective one from hers. Please please please, Check out 'District 13'! Much under-rated movie that brought 'Parkour' to the world, just if you can cope with it watch subtitles because the Dub is BAD........😉

[@Ian-xx1xb]

Whichever version Jen reacts to is always the preferred choice 🙂 fact!!!

[@matthewsuchomski2593]

there are two main versions of this film, the international version (which is considered the definitive version) and the US version which appears to be the one you reacted to. the only difference is that about 20-25 minutes were cut from the US version. the cut content included a scene in which Mathilda gets dressed up and tries to talk Leon into taking her virginity, of course he refuses, but it was cut because it made test audiences uncomfortable. the other scenes were mostly of Leon training Mathilda, like taking her along on his jobs and having her shoot the marks with a paintball pistol before taking them out with his real one, it's not as clear why those scenes were cut, the movie is quite a bit stronger with them in.

[@dumpstahdivah]

I love how accurate and straightforward Jen’s read is of the dynamics between Mathilda and Leon. It’s not icky. It’s a trauma response. It was disappointing how many reactors failed or refused to see this.

[@tolotko1786]

Yes, i agree...it is very refreshing to see someone who understand movie characters dynamic...

[@LuckySmurf]

It's more disappointing that in 2024 people still conveniently ignore the original intent of the director.

[@t0dd000]

It's also just a typical kid to adult crush. Happens all the time.

[@Sandy-dd4le]

@LuckySmurf yeah, I've often wondered how popular the film would be had it been made according to the original script.

[@samtaholo]

@@LuckySmurf The longer, original version _does_ make it icky, though. Mathilda asks Leon to kiss her and straight-up asks him to be her first sexual partner. Luc Besson had a thing for underage girls; he dated a 15-year-old girl and later married her. Any questionable themes were entirely deliberate on his part.

[@turbulentlobster]

That moment when desperate baby Natalie says "Please open the door" always hits like a freight train.

[@TheNefastor]

And the light on her face when he opens the door ? Peak cinematography. Besson is such a weird one: a lot of his stuff is low-effort, even garbage, but once in a while he gives you a Léon or a 5th Element.

[@SushiElemental]

I read in other reaction videos to this that this was her first scene that was shot for the movie. Absolutely owned the scene.

[@Zireael83]

@@TheNefastor leon and 5th elemental are so good and aged so well, that i like them even more now as when they came out. true classics

[@EmulsionTime]

"Did he do Fifth Element?" "Gary Oldman? Cool." "This music is weird." Jen answering her own question in record time!

[@bryantconcepcion8250]

The majority of this movie was filmed on the street i grew up on 159th in Manhattan. The crew allowed a few of us youngsters to watch some scenes being filmed in the lobby, we all were sitting on the floor quietly in the corner while Gary Oldman kept screaming "Everyone!!!" Cut after cut they mustve done that scene about 10 times

[@BOND19951]

That is awesome. I remember when they filmed deliver us from evil near my block here in nyc and I got to see Eric Bana upclose. It was funny. It was raining and dark. I turned my head and he came out of nowhere behind me and walked to the car he would be driving in for the movie. I was shocked at how tall he was. It was surreal. lol

[@IamJacksUserName1]

One of Stansfield's men, the big guy Benny, was played by actor Keith A. Glascoe. After acting, Glascoe became a firefighter for the FDNY. Sadly he was working in 21 Truck on the morning of Sept. 11 2001 and was killed when the South Tower collapsed. He was 38, expecting the birth of this third child.

[@89Timex]

I never knew that. Very sad.

[@RetroClassic66]

19:47 Gary Oldman’s “EVVVERYONNNNE!!!!” line was sort of ad-libbed, insofar as him screaming it. Director Luc Besson had him read the line differently for several different takes, and Oldman never told Besson that he was going to try screaming it, he just did it off-the-cuff. It startled Besson and pretty much everyone else, but it was so effective that they left it in the final cut.

[@system3008]

Great decision.

[@JedHead77]

The fact that Gary Oldman’s character loves Beethoven, and that he also played him in “Immortal Beloved” is awesome! 🎶

[@georgezee5173]

And the Beethoven movie was shot just a few months after Leon was. What are the odds? Maybe he was already studying the character when he was filming Leon and suggested to add that bit?

[@3Kings_Industries]

As emotionally charged as the ending of the film is, this movie is a piece of Art.

[@positivelynegative9149]

The most intelligent commentary on this film I've ever heard. Jen is so smart. 😃👍

[@daz_n]

This. Most people miss the fact that Matilda equates sex with love and has probably never seen love expressed in an appropriate way by an adult.

[@gorrammudder1600]

Man, I truly love this film.

[@MegaForrestgump]

You know who likes this movie? EVERYONE!!!!!!

[@germinoma1]

The scene with Gary Oldman, in were he is walking up to the apartment and the end when he gets to the dad telling him "You don't like Beethoven" is one of my favorite acting scenes ever. Also when he is screaming "Everyone!"

[@garretthenderson5738]

Have you ever seen the behind the scenes of Oldman workng out that scene? He took a meh scene and elevated the hell out of it.

[@tehdesp]

Twelve years old is woefully late in life for a girl to meet her first positive male role model, so it's easy how Mathilda got her wires crossed when it came to what she was feeling towards Leon.

[@LuckySmurf]

I'm sure that's what the director had in mind when he made this.

[@dciach12]

I hate all these people today, when she says she loves him. He's the only positive in her life! She doesn't understand! Jen had a good reaction to it, as always. ❤

[@tetsuoakira8294]

Agreed. People automatically jump to the worst possible thing, every time! People...humans...CHILDREN...are nuanced and not so black and white. We are all the shades of gray.

[@JustSomeGuyLV]

Yeah. The no-balls, offended-over-everything, victimhood preaching wokists are unbearable fools ruining good vibes over pretty much in every place where chill and toughtful people see understandable circumstances, not this toxic THIS OFFENDS ME attention seeking ''issues''.

[@leapography]

You're absolutely right about her not knowing how to handle having a real father figure. A lot of people miss that and think the movie promotes a gross relationship. Thanks for noting that!

[@olatron]

It irks me when people take Leon for some kind of creep

[@DevilzFan]

I think the problem is that the director is an actual creep in real life, getting a 16 year old pregnant and all, so there are parallels drawn.

[@LuckySmurf]

@@DevilzFan People draw the parallels because the movie was literally based on Luc Besson's relationship with that teenager.

[@anonymes2884]

@@LuckySmurf Right. Leon in the "international cut" IS a bit more ambiguous in how he relates to Mathilda IMO (at times he seems "confused" by her advances whereas in the reality of that situation there's nothing confusing, you _immediately_ shut it down - kindly if you can but _emphatically_ above all else). Everything Jen points out about Mathilda is kind of true of Leon too - he _also_ doesn't really know how to relate to people in normal terms, perhaps women especially. And there's nothing tenuous about drawing a connection between Besson, who first met his now ex-wife (who was raised in an abusive home) when she was 12 and he was 29, started dating her when she was 15 and had a kid with her when she was 16, and this movie. The parallels aren't "drawn" so much as "directly observed".

[@TheNefastor]

Seriously, if any movie ever deserved to be called a masterpiece, this is it. Everything is on point. The writing, the casting, the photography, the music... it's like the planets aligned for that one.

[@deadralynx1288]

She is a girl growing up and having normal feelings that are confusing. On top of that she is traumatized by losing her family. It is not a weird story about a teenage girl growing up, but a story of a girl coping with horrible brutality. She is torn between loss and feelings of growing up.

[@mrdth1987]

It sounds French because it is actually a French movie. I guess Besson just thought more people would see it if it's in English and set in New York.

[@steved1135]

A brilliant movie. Oldman steals the show. Hard to believe Besson made this and The Fifth Element. The guy has style.

[@bodan1196]

La femme Nikita is good, but a hard watch. Not many YT reaction videos... for a reason I guess.

[@skipskatte]

"You don't like Beethoven." As a kid working at Blockbuster when this came out, I found this line incredibly funny in a meta way considering Gary Oldman played Beethoven in "Immortal Beloved" released the same year.

[@Kaitschi]

One of the best Kid's Performances ever and Gary Oldman has delivered here one of the best Villains in Movie-History

[@t0dd000]

He's too cartoonish for my tastes, but great film.

[@vermithax]

"I like these calm little moments before the storm. It reminds me of Beethoven." Says the actor who played Beethoven that same year.

[@trinaq]

How amazing was young Natalie Portman in this film? She was only 12 during filming, and 13 when it was released, yet she delivered every emotion as Mathilda, keeping you transfixed on her. It's not surprising that she went on to have even more success as an adult actress.

[@litterpicker1431]

What _is_ surprising is how few people have seen Beautiful Girls (1996). It's full of stellar performances, and Natalie Portman goes right ahead and steals it anyway.

[@Yanko_427]

This soundtrack was the inspiration for the music in "Goldeneye".

[@Baiko]

I've never connected that before but on this reaction I clearly noticed the similarity, especially in the police station bathroom

[@AdamMPick]

Éric Serra, the guy scoring this and almost every other Luc Besson movie, wrote the music for "GoldenEye".

[@Lordcirdan]

0:56 It's the Diva Plavalaguna!

[@martymcdermott67]

I seen this movie when it came out. Apart from the awesome performances from Jean Reno and Gary Oldman, my biggest memory was thinking ... if this kid (Portman) doesn't do a Drew Barrymore, she will have a great career. She didn't, and she did. She gave an incredible performance.

[@seanmonahan]

I first saw this movie about 25 years ago. When I saw the scene with Natalie Portman crying outside the door for Leon to let her in, she instantly became my favorite actress. Many years later, just a few years ago, I was crushed to learn that Luc Besson got her to cry like that by spraying mint oil into her eyes.

[@edwinrollins142]

Omg, this is one of my favorite movies ever!

[@manzell]

The girl in the first scene (the mobster's doll - Maiwenn) you might recognize as The Dive from the 5th Element. Besson was married to her at the time, and It's alleged that this film is about their relationship (which started when she was criminally young). He did end up dumping her for 19-year old Milla Jovovich over the course of filming 5th element. Then he made Joan of Arc about /that/ relationship. Besson makes great movies but saying he's messy is being kind.

[@angelohernandez6060]

Jen, you are the first reactor to this film that got the relationship between Leon and Matilda that I have seen. Almost all of them go straight to "he's a Pdo" and are creeped out by their relationship.

[@VonBlade]

From Mathilde. Just wanted to add, it's a rare treat for someone to watch this and understand that she's had a bad upbringing and is emotionally confused. KZbin is full of reactors who got the ick and assumed it was some weird consensual rubbish. It obviously isn't.

[@skipskatte]

Absolutely. The movie walks a tightrope, but the key is they're both deeply emotionally damaged people finding each other. Mathilde interprets this in a romantic way which is DEEPLY uncomfortable to watch (and WHAT a performance by Portman), but because Leon's love for her isn't in that vein and it keeps their power dynamic balanced it avoids the creep-factor. It's a really delicate balance and is expertly done.

[@anonymes2884]

@@skipskatte "...DEEPLY uncomfortable to watch..." Right. Which is why it's surely understandable when viewers "got the ick" ? It _is_ "icky". And of course _some_ are reacting to the "international cut" in which, personally, I _don't_ actually see Leon's response as _unambiguously_ not "in that vein", it's _slightly_ greyer (whereas in this one he _is_ an unambiguous father/uncle figure IMO - that's actually why I prefer this cut, the focus is on Mathilda being a very broken kid and her ultimately, at least to some extent, _transcending_ that through _genuine_ familial love rather than "muddy the waters" with anything else). Also, _some_ modern viewers may know more about Luc Besson than many of us did then and it's _entirely_ reasonable for that to colour how they view the movie (personally for instance I wasn't aware then of the _very_ clear inspiration for Leon and Mathilda being himself and his _very_ young wife at the time, who was, like Mathilda, raised in an abusive home and who he first met when she was 12 and he was 29, "dated" at 15 and had a kid with at 16 - if that _doesn't_ inform, even slightly, how you view the movie you're way better at compartmentalising than I am :). Not to say _everyone_ responds "reasonably" BTW but I think more is sometimes made of modern "sensitivities" than is warranted.

[@TheJereld]

All the interior scenes were shot in France and the exterior scenes in New York. It's basically a French movie made in America.

[@Barbu_Deluxe]

Your post analysis are always on point ! That’s so refreshing ! 🎉 in so short time you sum up everything ! Love that !

[@kverkagambo]

This film probably is the most realistic portrayal of a hitman, despite all the ridiculousness of the film itself. Great contrast to all the films about stylish guys in stylish suits doing stylish gun-fu.

[@e.d.2096]

Natalie Portman should have got an Oscar for her role! Gary Oldman as well. Great choice Jen! Great reaction as usual! 😊

[@vandebilding]

Jean Reno as well, he played a very non- stereotypical autistic hitman flawless, for example the way he walks and his kinda 'off' relationship with Tony

[@e.d.2096]

@vandebilding AGREED 👍

[@machfront]

Her young, vulnerable, romantic and sexual awakening is fairly realistic. She could have been easily exploited or otherwise used during this period. Thankfully, she was not only strong herself, but also had someone to help grant or otherwise supplement her strength and guide it to some tiny degree. She was teetering on the edge of being used in so very many ways. Leon….someone just as, perhaps moreso, as innocent than she was there…… and EVEN HE…saved her from she being as she ought be (even despite the ‘cleaner teachings’)…. That Leon, after ALL of that….left her to be , still, a ‘scarred, scared, uncertain, little girl’….was the absolute best thing he could have possibly done, all things considered! Cheers to Leon! ❤

[@BOND19951]

This movie was amazing. I watched it when I was younger, and it brings back so many memories. We were living in the woods of Virginia at the time, with a cozy fireplace, and this movie was one of our favorites. 1994 was such a special year. My family was still together back then, and everything felt so different. I really wish I could go back to those days.

[@ClaireRedfieldKennedy-ld2lx]

21:29 "What that thing?" This is a mocked up German MG34 prop from a WWII film. They're trying to make it look like a modern day Hecker & Koch design.

[@Lestat13]

Jen, I’ve seen this film a dozen times, & I never put together Matilda’s home life & her confusion with relationships with men. Thank you for the insight. 🖤🌹🖤🧛🏻‍♀️

[@MrGpschmidt]

Arguably Reno's, Oldman's & Portman's (her debut) finest hours. One word: ....EVERRRRRYYYYONNNNNEEE!!!!...

[@davidsumpter4933]

It's hard to believe that this movie came from the same guy as The Fith Element. It's one of all-time favorites...

[@JeffSchall]

Definitely one of the best La Femme Nikita versions. Oldman is brilliant as always, and Portman is amazing.

[@k.delpino1124]

Mr. Besson is one of the most eclectic filmmakers ever. LEON (Interational Uncut version) and The Professional (U.S. Version) altogether, his first worldwide smash and an incredible piece of work. That 'anti-hero with a heart of gold and an sidekick" archetype. Often seen in Western or Samurai dramas. But in an crime drama like this, it still hits. Jean Reno as Leon is great. The film debut of Natalie Portman as Matilhda is wonderful. Gary Oldman as Stansfield (one of so many villain roles) is unbelievable. The song at the end, Shape of My Heart by Sting is a great movie song. I definitely recommend La Femme Nikita (1990) or it's remake, Point of No Return (1993). Also from Besson, Lucy & 3 Days to Kill (2014) and ANNA (2019).

[@UPturbinefan]

In la Femme Nikita Jean Reno plays the Character the cleaner it basically the same person after Luc made Nikita he told Jean Reno that he was going to do a move on his cleaner character. which is way we have Leon

[@k.delpino1124]

@UPturbinefan geezus. I've seen Nikita. But I forgot he was in it.

[@SeanHendy]

Natalie Portman's performance is phenomenal as is Jean Reno's. Other films he has been in include Ronin and The Big Blue and all three are in my list of favourite films of all time.

[@markus.schiefer]

Luc Besson and Eric Serra. A dream team like Ben & Jerry. The sound of Eric Serra is so unique and recognizable.

[@BoboftheOldeWays]

I would love to see a sequel to this movie with adult Natalie Portman as adult Matilda, working as a cleaner, who finds herself protecting a child or some other defenseless person, just like Leon did.

[@anonymes2884]

That was the intention for a while. Eventually the script for "Mathilda" morphed into "Colombiana" (with Zoe Saldana in what would've been the Portman role). -edited for spelling mistake (I guess personally I hope Mathilda _doesn't_ grow up to be a cleaner and somehow manages to carve out a more normal, happy life for herself)

[@anonymes2884]

Very astute analysis Jen :). The extended cut makes their relationship more ambiguous i'd say. In this version Leon is very clearly a father/uncle figure, in the other it's murkier as to how _he_ feels, there are scenes with them sharing a bed, Mathilda tries to "seduce" him etc. (but nothing actually _happens_ in that regard if you get my meaning). It certainly adds complexity and is arguably more interesting from a film analysis perspective but it's not a _better movie_ as a result IMO. Put it this way: a few years prior to "Leon" being released, Luc Besson (the writer/director) first met his now ex-wife (who, BTW, grew up in an abusive household) when she was 12 and he was 29 and they started dating when she was 15 (she then had their kid at 16). Other fans are free to disagree but personally I don't think it's crazy to believe that adds meaningful context to what Besson might've _originally_ intended to say with the relationship between Leon and Mathilda.

[@lou6454]

I've seen both cuts and the international cut a little more gutsy for showing some of the complexities of their relationship . Anyway , great Job Jen . I do look forward to your analysis at the end . You're the best .

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

I must say, I loved this reaction more than most I have seen for this movie. Jen, you are just smart, funny, and have great common sense. I love Gary Oldman in this one.

[@kuribayashi84]

Eric Serra wrote the music. He also did The Fifth Element (which Luc Besson also directed) and the James Bond Film Goldeneye.

[@MarcoMM1]

Great reaction Jen like always. Natalie Portman's performance while waiting for Leon to open the door is freaking amazing. Her fear cast shadows. The Director’s Cut is more disturbing on the relationship level, but it also clarifies things. She comes on more strongly, even asking him to be her “first.” Leon responds by telling her that he was in love only once and that the father of his girlfriend killed her when he found out they were going to elope. So Leon killed the dad, moved to NY, and became an assassin. Leon says this woman was the only one and, because of that, he wouldn’t be a good lover. Portman chills out a little after that. So…more disturbing. But it also fleshes out their relationship. They aren’t lovers, but they do love each. Not romantically, but as literally the only people they have in their lives to love. So the lines of what kind of love gets blurred a bit, even if he never, ever crosses a sexual line with her. And a fun - fact, Gary Oldman improvise almost all of his lines on this movie, including the famous "Eeeevvryyyonnneeee". Keep up the good work.

[@magicbrownie1357]

One of Gary Oldman's most unhinged roles. And one of my favorites of his. Also a very fine film.

[@3Kings_Industries]

"EVERYONE !!!!"

[@joelwillems4081]

That plant really ties the rooms together.

[@anonymes2884]

Yeah ? Well, y'know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

[@3DJapan]

I think Leon was the first person to ever be nice to her.

[@MusicalBox]

90K subs. The big 100K is very near

[@sorensmith9873]

Check out the movie Hannah, another story about a special young girl who is also thrown into the middle of a very violent world. Great watch for both story and film making technique

[@dcdrew3]

Excellent Movie.

[@anonymes2884]

Agreed. "Hanna" though (no 'h' on the end :). Not a bad TV adaptation either IMO.

[@kirbywilliamson2942]

This is the first movie I ever saw with Gary Oldman . I became a lifetime fan of his work . He has never disappointed me with his work . This is also the first film by Luc Besson I ever saw . I've never been disappointed by his work as well . Even his less successful ventures like THE MESSENGER , the story of Joan of Arc .

[@KenWins1]

This was such a great movie, good acting all the way around and one of my favorite Gary Oldman performances

[@YourXavier]

"I think this girl is confused about how to relate to men." And the 'Understatement of the Year' award goes to...

[@craigsolano8812]

Great reaction. Classic movie. Gary Oldman's top 2 role imo. Amazing. Crazy, and amazing, lol. FYI a few years ago a sequel almost came to be called Matilda the Professional, with Natalie Portman's character grown up and a hitman, but it didn't materialize.

[@miou-miou-]

hey jen, i would highly recommend "taxi" (1988) - written and produced by luc besson. warning: if you for some reason watch the remake (2004), do your best skewer that part of your brain with an ice-pick, because it stars both jimmy fallon and queen latifa.

[@Dillpicks95]

Who loves Jen’s reactions? EVERYONE!!!

[@pigmeatmarkham898]

And it’s not disturbingly inappropriate 😂

[@pcl8993]

She’s GREAT and a little naive, in a good way of course!❤

[@davidfrost901]

She Is good. Do not be snobby.

[@jarrodnewman0514]

Besson had planned a sequel called "Matilda" which would have starred Natalie Portman a few years later when she was older. Continuing Leon's 'cleaning' jobs. But the project was never greenlit due to Natalie's commitment to the Star Wars prequels. In 2011 Besson and film director Olivier Megaton used the idea of "Matilda" and came up with "Colombiana" (2011). Zoe Saldana (Uhura from Kelvin timeline Star Trek) starred in the title role.

[@Matticitt]

I did not know Colombiana was supposed to be a sequel to Leon. Thanks for sharing.

[@skipskatte]

Aww, man, I'd still like to see a "Mathilda: The Professional" film with Natalie Portman now.

[@simonfrederiksen104]

9:43 She's a complication, a liability. If police or even social services shows up asking questions, what is he supposed to say?

[@realBkay]

Gary Oldman’s pill is Librium. Used to treat anxiety, insomnia and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and/or drug abuse.

[@Turok279]

Very good summation, you nailed it.

[@paulstroud2647]

Great film and great reaction by Jen as always. Gary Oldman steals every scene he is in - we're going to see him on stage next year in a Beckett play, and I can't wait!

[@3Kings_Industries]

Luc Besson has a few of these assassin style films that are worth checking out. I believe LA Femme Nikita even has a TV series, and inspired Joss Whedon's Dollhouse show.

[@anonymes2884]

"La Femme Nikita" has a _couple_ of different TV series in fact (and a US remake movie).

[@leighmonty13]

One of my favourite movies top 5 ,I think there's two editions directors cut which is normal theatrical version and extended version which has about 25 more mins reveals more into the twos relationship and you see more of him training her.directors cut on 4k is the longer version and there's a theatrical on it to which is the original release, it's a bit complicated depending who says which is which in what country .

[@trulybtd5396]

No, there is the original version, which is the longer one, marketed as the "international uncut edition", and it is the butchered US theatrical release.

[@anonymes2884]

@@trulybtd5396 No. The longer cut _isn't_ the "original version". In its first run in 1994/95, the original theatrical cut was the shorter version (that's the version shown in France in late '94 and the one I saw in the UK in early '95). Then later, in 1996, Besson assembled and French (among other) cinemas first showed "Leon: Version Integrale", what's now usually known in English as the "international cut" (and sometimes incorrectly called the "director's cut"), with 20+ minutes extra footage. So "Leon" _wasn't_ cut solely for the US market though it arguably _was_ cut _because_ of the US market - the cuts for the original (global) release were due to the negative response of US test audiences to certain scenes, given it's the US i'd guess it was _mostly_ the more "sexualised" stuff between Mathilda and Leon and _possibly_ a 12 year old girl holding a gun to her own head rather than any misgivings over extra violence (and of course it was _renamed_ in the US, as "The Professional" - it's "Leon: The Professional" in Canada and some other places, just "Leon" in France, the UK and some other places). Don't take my word for it of course, this is all fairly easily google-able :).

[@kevinhudson7186]

Love this movie. Love watching it again with you Jen.

[@caldwellkelley3084]

Wow ... Jen does Leon! Yes ... One of Gary Oldman's and Jean Reno's best! A very young Natalie Portman's first role and she kills it! Super Thanks as always!

[@johngreig7281]

wow never heard anyone break it all down quite like this before, best take on this I've heard yet!

[@darrenmansell3674]

the uncut version has an extra 22 minutes and shows Leon and Matilda on hits and more to the relationship it is, a must to see. Jen you were bang on with this film too many ( reaction vids ), all go down the wrong view of the relationship, well done and hope you see the uncut version

[@PerfeccionistoPerezoso78]

13:09 “The music is so _French,_ in this.” So’s the lead actor.

[@Dillpicks95]

It still blows my mind that this was Natalie Portman’s film debut, she absolutely killed it.

[@mrtveye6682]

The scene at his door alone is brilliant. All those subtle facial expressions and nuances in her acting, showing what's going on in her mind, make the scene so convincing and powerful.

[@zziicckk01]

Wow, super short reaction. This was a great film and really heartfelt, especially the ending. Natalie Portman was outstanding, it's hard to believe she was only 12 years old.

[@dingokidneys]

I think the scene where Mathilda has just fallen asleep and Leon gets a gun and points it at her is him looking at this broken little thing and thinking he should put her out of her misery as he might do to a mortally injured animal. It would be 'compassion' to him but thankfully he changes his mind. It's a startling scene but poignant.

[@Divhreaza]

This movie is so well-done, it's definitely one of my favorites. Other people have mentioned the connection between Gary Oldman and Beethoven, and I'd like to add that "Immortal Beloved" is DEFINITELY worth watching, and I hope you'll give it a try sometime. Gary Oldman does an amazing job in it.

[@johneverett3617]

that scene where she's crying outside Leon's door is SO powerful. on another note please consider watching DOICTOR WHO from the 2005 reboot and THE PRISONER 1967.

[@loltubelvr007]

There are a couple scenes missing from this version. I've seen them on youtube but this is my preferred version. Editing is an art.

[@leegend3004]

Loved your description of the film at the end of your reaction Jen got it bang on, this is second on my fav films of all time only beaten by Die Hard😅 and absolutely loved Gary Oldmans villian in this, so many of us brits been villians😂😂

[@LordVolkov]

"This music is weird!" Jen and the music of Leon/The Professional 🥰 I love the score and song choices of Leon, particularly Sting's song over the credits - Shape of my Heart. The Thomas Crowne Affair remake, with Pierce Brosnan, also closes with a great Sting song and has a great score😉

[@kluneberg8952]

the dreaded character is played by reggae singer Willi One Blood. he apparently was inspiration for Gary Oldmans character in True Romance

[@gordon861]

One of the best movies out there, mostly perfect.

[@e.d.2096]

90,000🎉🎉🎉😊 well deserved Jen!!!

[@jimspetdragons3737]

This is Portman's first professional acting role (listed in IMDB). Great job. There may be some differences in the other version, but I saw that the titles were different for different countries the movie was released in, mostly involving the US, Australia, and everyone else having a different title (or 2 titles - Australia, I think).

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

Great reaction to another great Luc Besson movie! This one was the one he made between La Femme Nikita and Fifth Element.

[@Jayskiallthewayski]

Still waiting for the movie: Mathilda, the professional. As far as the European cut goes, I have it, it's on the edge. Mathilda wants Leon to have sex with her, like all the time and he refuses but for weird reasons. And in their final scene he more or less confesses his love to her so it's stings a little. Jean Reno really pressed to play Leon the way he does, emotionally immature like a child himself so it's more like 2 children in different bodies. And it makes the movie so good instead of really gross. So big thank you to Reno cause Besson, the director, really is about that life.

[@williamburnham3659]

The mother who dies in the bath is the brilliant Ellen Greene ( Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors) The character of Leon was first seen in La Femme Nikita ( as thee Cleaner) Jean Reno was also great in Les Visiteurs ( the french original, not the remake) 😊😊😊😊😊

[@samtaholo]

That wasn't Leon; that was Victor.

[@williamburnham3659]

@samtaholo but still based on the same character, even if the name was changed 😊

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

In one of the early drafts of the script, there was a lot more to the Leon and Mathilda relationship, including a scene where Leon accidentally walks in on her while she's taking a shower and her telling him she doesn't mind. Portman had to convince her parents to do the film, but fortunately, they made damn sure stuff like that and the overt sexual overtones in the script wasn't going to fly.

[@hgman3920]

Natalie Portman's acting chops in her first movie were *outstanding*. It's no wonder she went on to stardom

[@gabrielhersey5546]

One of my all time favorites

[@deathtoraiden2080]

Amazing movie, blew everyone's socks off when it came out (in a sleeper hit kind of way). Jean Reno is such a cool guy, never seen him in a role i didn't enjoy. Dude even shows up in Onimusha, though unfortunately he does not voice his character for 90% of it.

[@dgillphotos]

The director did “La Femme Nikita” before this. His action director went on to help with the first Bourne film.

[@shadowvessel]

Man, '90s Gary Oldman is just the BEST. 🤘

[@harveylee51]

@shadwvessel. When is Gary Oldman not good really ! ?? But yes this was an awesome era for him the Professional Fifth Element Air force one And even with a cameo in True Romance . He steals the show Awesome movie , can't forget how incredible Natalie Portman is and Jean Reno . Keep quality 90's movies alive Cheers .

[@shadowvessel]

@harveylee51 True. Definitely peak Oldman, though. He and Christopher Walken were THE go-to villains in the '90s

[@bluecollartradesman715]

This was my introduction to Natalie Portman, I must admit that developed the hots for her…before anyone comments, yes I know she’s twelve in this…I am the same age as Natalie.

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Thank You Jen, the longer version that I have, which I think is just called "Leon", has scenes where they go out together to do assassinations. She helps him trick several people into letting their guard down so that he can get close to them. He does the fatal shootings, but there is one guy that he has her shoot with a paint ball pistol first. When the guy realizes that they just shot him with a paint ball, he has a moment of hope, but then Leon kills him with a real bullet. She witnesses this.

[@ThatJunkman]

It’s a lot better

[@edfrancis66]

I was wondering why those scenes were missing.

[@anonymes2884]

Yeah, "Leon" was the title here in the UK (and the rest of Europe) and that longer version is known as the "International cut" (in the US it was originally "The Professional" and I think "Leon: The Professional" - which for me is worse than _either_ title :) - came later). There're also more scenes emphasising the ambiguous nature of their relationship, at least in Mathilda's mind (e.g. she tries to seduce Leon, they share a bed etc.) and i'd assume it's fairly obvious why _that_ stuff was cut for a mainstream audience. (personally I don't think it's _better_ BTW, it's certainly different though)

[@philmakris8507]

The music is French probably bc Luc Besson and Jean Reno are both French. Although Leon is a Sicilian. Also, the movie was out in Europe for a considerably long time before it was later released in the states.

[@zmarko]

Wow, I'm surprised you haven't reacted to this before now. Amazing movie.