Leon the Professional | First Time Watching | Movie Reaction | Movie Review | Movie Commentary

First time watching and reacting to Leon the Professional
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[@markcarpenter6020]

A lot of people are freaked out by Matilda's crush on leon. However I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and i can tell you its actually very realistic for children from abusive homes to get...... Let's say "overly attached" to people who actually show them love and kindness. Unfortunately they often get taken advantage of by those people but her getting the crush is very realistic.

[@juneskywalker5847]

Yet she won't read any of these comments to actually know the truth of a lot of the stupid things she says...

[@BennoWitter]

In this case it's somewhat autobiographical from Luc Besson's perspective, with him dating Maïwenn Le Besco when she was 15 and he was 31.

[@joaosantos5503]

Homie, like the other commenters have said, that whole thing IS actually kinda sus, given how Besson was dating a 15-year-old girl... So in this case I don't think it was an artistic decision meant to convey a particular message or whatever, I think it literally was the director's kink put to screen and that's it. You'd be surprised how the issue of pedophilia is a rampant thing in hollywood. Looking back, A LOT of films have questionable things in them, in the sense that they just don't make sense as far as the narrative goes.

[@markcarpenter6020]

@@joaosantos5503 I wasn't commenting on why he put it in. I was simply stating it's actually damn realistic.

[@suicyconaut]

@@juneskywalker5847 good thing we have you around, who never says anything stupid, and probably weighs 300 lbs.

[@EskimoPablo907]

This is one of the best reactions to this movie. You see the deeper meaning of it.

[@carlosspeicywiener7018]

There's psychological reasons why mathilda reacts to leon the way she does. In her home both her parents were abusive, the only affection she saw between her parents was sex and they were in a sexual codependent relationship that kinda didn't involve kids. It's also why she had strong but undefined maternal instincts with her little brother, resulting in more confusion and conflicting feelings. The only adult that shows her any compassion is leon so she assumes roles, meanwhile he's basically a big kid. When they meet, he couldn't even read or write and his innocence is obvious so he doesn't know what the hell is going on or how to handle it which is why he focused on the job and her training.

[@LordVolkov]

The layers of Matilda's trauma-bond with Leon are really well written. The way she mothers him because he is so child-like emotionally and intellectually is really powerful and I think is part of her confusion about her feelings towards him.

[@martenfredin213]

Yes, as a teacher I´ve seen this alot. Missing fathers, or bad ones. Boys will act out when they are missing a role model, girls though will try to compensate with older boyfriends. Matilda is looking for security, finds it in Leon, but misinterprets it as "love" - she´s young.

[@bobcobb3654]

That’s really taking the long way to point out that abused kids often have daddy issues.

[@spartanical]

@@bobcobb3654 details matter, smart-ass. at least you took the short way to point out that you're a dope.

[@TowGunner]

In the international version of the film, there are many more scenes in which you can see the sexual tension between the two characters. The reason for cutting scenes from the American version was because of the bad response certain scenes got from viewers.

[@frugalseverin2282]

The crazy police lieutenant was played by Gary Oldman, you saw him in "The Fifth Element". He's played a wide range of characters including Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald, Dracula, Beethoven, Pontius Pilate, The Devil, Sirius Black, Elvis and many more.

[@Ambaryerno]

Don't forget that Luc Besson directed and developed Fifth Element as well.

[@carlossaraiva8213]

Oldman is also Comissionair Gordon.

[@samreagan6292]

When did Sid vicious get a movie?

[@carlossaraiva8213]

@@samreagan6292 in 1987, i believe. Its called Syd & Nancy, directed by Alex Cox (Repo Man).

[@samreagan6292]

@@carlossaraiva8213 cool! Thank you so much

[@danielsmith5088]

Not sure why, but somehow I knew you'd understand the Leon/Matilda relationship better than most. Westerners have been programmed to immediately expect the worst when seeing this kind of inappropriate situation. They can't get over their initial negative reaction to realize that Leon handles it as well as he can. Emotionally he's still a child himself, so for him to not hurt Matilda by completely rejecting her, yet still subtly pushing aside what she thinks are romantic feelings is pretty remarkable. One of my favorite movies, one of my favorite Gary Oldman performances.

[@LordVolkov]

It's an incredibly deep script with great layers to the relationship between Leon and Matilda. He's so emotionally stunted from his lifestyle that he is more of a child than her in many ways, and gets visibly uncomfortable whenever she talks about love with him.

[@subliminallime4321]

This movie is literally based on writer/director Luc Besson's relationship with his wife at the time who was pregnant by him at 15 while he was 32.

[@danielsmith5088]

@@subliminallime4321 Yet Leon isn't Luc Besson. Besson is a pedo, Leon isn't. Though I understand not being able to separate the artist from the art.

[@subliminallime4321]

​@@danielsmith5088 Leon is a pedo's fantasy. "What if a 12 year old girl begged to live with me and fell in love with me and made me sleep in the same bed with her and told me she wanted me to take her virginity? I would, of course, be completely innocent in the whole situation because I'm slow or whatever." It's textbook.

[@awilywolf]

I remember another film that kinda reminded of that weird young girl older man dynamic. I don't think it is as potent, but the film The City of Lost Children (French: La Cité des enfants perdus) is a 1995 science fantasy film directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. It has a slight connotation, but is arguably a more innocent and sweeter film.

[@jefffiore7869]

Natalie Portman in her first movie, she was great in it and you can see she was going to be a star

[@LordVolkov]

The scene where she's begging for him to open the door... 😭 You could tell she was going to be incredible.

[@jefffiore7869]

@@LordVolkov Actually, that is the scene I had in mind when I made that comment!

[@iwanttocomplain]

@@LordVolkov I heard recently that Besson put salt or something in in her eyes. How messed up is that? But in the scene that made the cut she was genuinely crying from the overall stress and fear of having more salt out into her eyes. That’s Hollyweird alright.

[@matthewsuchomski2593]

@@iwanttocomplain it was menthol, that's the standard crying-inducer for movies. but they only did it the one time, after that Natalie was able to cry on que for the rest of the production.

[@TheRussian13]

What's really beautiful about this story is that the relationship between Leon and Matilda is inspired by Jean Reno's relationship with his first wife. They met in France when she was 14 (if I recall) and he was in his mid to late 20s. She fell in love with him, and he was apprehensive at first, telling her to wait several years and if she still felt the same way, they could try dating. Apparently when Jean Reno was presented the script and offer to play Leon, he called the director back while crying and accepted the role. Natalie Portman was also brought to tears from reading the script and fought her parents for a long time to let her play Matilda. They had to make several major changes to the script, Matilda quitting smoking and a scene in the script where Leon accidentally walks in on Matilda showering were a couple of those changes. Jean Reno also wanted to play Leon like he was an adult child, so he'd have an innocence that complimented Matilda's innocence. The film does an amazing job of showing these two completely different characters help each other to grow up. This makes it especially sad in the end when Leon finally opens up and is killed shortly after. I also think Natalie's parents did a great job with giving their daughter the opportunity to do such a mature and important role, and also keep her safe with the script changes.

[@jackcoleman1784]

As far as I ever heard that is not the inspiration for this film. The inspiration came from the director who was in his thirties and in a relationship with a 15 year old. If you read the original script Leon actually has sex with Mathilda when she's 13 or 14. In the revised script they haggle about it and she agrees on 18 then she gets naked and sleeps next to him. They altered the script during shooting so that he turns her down and they removed several scenes because test screenings responded negatively to what was seen as pedophilic content. So no I highly doubt this was inspired by Jean Renos relationship.

[@Dan_Kanerva]

@@jackcoleman1784 yeah , imagine hollywood and politicians having segs with kids , that would never happen pfff

[@lucianaromulus1408]

​@@Christobanistanexactly, its why I stopped liking this movie.

[@TrashPandaActual]

Great reaction, Dasha. Fun fact: Luc Besson, who created Leon also created The Fifth Element. He wrote a sequel called Mathilda, with the intention to film it when Natalie Portman was older, but he'd left the production company that made Leon and they wouldn't release the rights. So he used the script to make Columbiana with Zoe Saldana instead.

[@pirmaluco]

That little girl was so badass that she ended up getting married to Darth Vader...

[@mrtveye6682]

Another great reaction Dasha. I love how you genuinely reflect the tone of the scenes. You take the serious stuff serious, and the funny stuff brings a smile on your face. And never shy of a funny witty comment at the right places. Oh, and props for anticipating the "ring-tick" up front. I don't remember any other reactor to manage that.

[@user-cz1yu1tc8e]

"EVERYONE" moment was an improvisation. A lot of Gary Oldman's improvisation in this movie.

[@eric-rm4zv]

When I was young I started to write a story of Matilda's life becoming the world's greatest assassin, I love this movie so much

[@michaelanderson5301]

Glad you enjoyed Dasha. Nice to have a reactor appreciate and understand the puppy love from Leon's perspective as opposed to other reactors, (who I like) say "this is making me so uncomfortable" 14x throughout the movie.

[@KittyBoom360]

The irony is that they are never uncomfortable by the assassin training. They are fine will killing people but suddenly raise a stink when two people love each other beyond conventional labels.

[@itshitshow3856]

@@KittyBoom360 Right. Teaching a young girl to kill and handle firearms is fine, I guess, since he had a simplistic moral code ("no women, no children"), but the puppy love is over the line even though Leon never entertained it. People are strange.

[@KittyBoom360]

@@itshitshow3856 Indeed, we live in strange times.

[@itshitshow3856]

@@KittyBoom360 And they keep getting stranger and stranger.

[@KittyBoom360]

@@itshitshow3856 Or you're just get wiser and wiser.

[@SnabbKassa]

Leon does try to resist Matilda's seduction so I don't know why - it's always Americans - think he's a predator. You can tell whether someone is American or European just by their reaction to this movie. America today is twice as prudish as Victorian Britain ever was. Even a slight age difference in a relationship now triggers people into rage. Even this comment, since it has nuance, will be attacked for not holding to the right view strongly enough.

[@benjamindeharo314]

And Americans never complains about the violence. They don't seem to have any problem with Léon being a killer who's teaching a little girl how to kill, or that her entire family got killed by cops, including her 4 years old brother, but the pseudo love story makes them so uncomfortable. Geniuses...

[@davidsalinas1628]

I would love to see a Professional 2 where Natalie Portman is all grown up and the new Professional

[@TrashPandaActual]

It's Columbiana with Zoe Saldana. The film company wouldn't release the rights to Leon so Besson could make Mathilda, , so he used the script for Columbiana instead.

[@Matt-vv7fl]

I love watching your reactions. You really pay attention to the story and characters and just get what the movie is all about. Keep it up!

[@hephner78]

love this movie, Natalie turned in one of the greatest child performances of all time, truly oscar worthy

[@YoureMrLebowski]

arguably the greatest 👍🏼

[@itshitshow3856]

@@YoureMrLebowski Not the greatest. You should see _Fresh_ released the same year as this. Not as big a film but highly acclaimed and a great performance but the child lead. Then, of course, there's _ET._

[@thedarkwolf9423]

Director Luc Besson was expanding an idea from his earlier movie La Femme Nikita (which I also highly recommend to you, although it's in French). Jean Reno played a similar character named Victor "The Cleaner", who dresses the same, shows no emotion and carries the same black bag... but in that movie, instead of milk bottles, it's filled with bottles of acid for destroying ... "evidence". This time, the director wanted to do a more human version of the character. In answer to your question, most submachineguns of that type carry 30 rounds in the magazine. Also, "CATs" Counter-Assault Team - SWAT officers trained specially to deal with tactical opponents.

[@LordVolkov]

The American remake with Bridget Fonda is pretty good too.

[@itshitshow3856]

@@LordVolkov Harvey Keitel plays The Cleaner in the American remake. His also uses the character as the basis for the next character he plays, The Wolf in _Pulp Fiction._

[@erwinamesz7642]

So nice to hear an European/Eastern European opinion about her being in love with Leon. Most American reactors don’t understand the lack of a father figure, somebody that protects you and young girl feelings (childlike love). Leon is super uneasy in this movie about her feelings as he hasn’t got a normal childhood himself and can’t cope with her streetwise remarks. Just a beautiful movie about the love that somebody can feel for another human being.

[@telemperor]

I always felt that Natalie should have done another movie Matilda the Professional where she protects and teaches a child.

[@Metamorfeus]

Besson did indeed pen a sequel aptly titled "Mathilda". However, before he could get around to making it, he lost the rights to "Léon". Instead the script was re-tooled and produced as Colombiana (2011) starring Zoë Saldana.

[@telemperor]

@@Metamorfeus nice trivia, I didn't know that.

[@johnmguzman7491]

Ваш пёс 🐶"Хьюго" вернулся!! Я так 😊 счастлив.

[@Gr8Buccaneer]

its Leon Wick...Johns french cousin ^^

[@woeshaling6421]

natalie at the door is a gem of acting prowess

[@MrLovegrove]

Brilliantly shot too. The "light of salvation" from the door opening was awesome.

[@philmullineaux5405]

Natalie auditioned for an open cattle call of about 1200 young girls and got the part! Gary Oldman was spectacular, also in Luc Besson movie, 5th element! Leon was a small part in an earlier movie, La Femme Nikkita, also great to watch! He goes to the director one day on set of LA Femme Nikkita, and asks Luc, what was Leon's life like? So Luc Besson came up with this movie! All Luc Besson movies should be watched! The Transporter one and two, fifth element, Taken one and two, Jupiter rising and others! Gary Oldman was the weird West Virginia accent arms dealer in, Fifth Element!

[@orarinnsnorrason4614]

Great pick. This movie is so great. The movie Leon was watching in the theatre is Singing in the Rain, a great musical and an overall "feel good movie." Also this was Natalie Portman's first acting role and what a great performance. Danny Aiello (Toni) is in one of my all time favorite movie Hudson Hawk where he teams up with Bruce Willis. Highly recommended. Last but not least we have Gary Oldman as the corrupt DEA. This is one of his iconic roles in a long career. Ruthless but a great character.

[@stephenniehaus8635]

Judging by the poster alone, you might guess Leon's profession is babysitting

[@HansDelbruck53]

"Oh, shit. That's a lot of cocaine."

[@MrBreezeLI516]

Extended cut, nice, Ive never seen those scenes where there knocking on doors and the whole second paint gun incident / training! 😮!! Wow, and i grew up with this!! Lol

[@SeanHendy]

Luc Besson and Jean Reno have worked together in other films. I highly recommend 'The Big Blue' which is one of my favourite films of all time with an incredible soundtrack by Eric Serra, and 'Ronin' which is also a great film too.

[@michaelriddick7116]

Awww your editor cut "EEEVVVEERRRYYYOOOONNNNEEEE!!" 😢😂🤣😂🤣

[@MaoKatz]

Dasha, Leon is a simple man. He didn't know how to read and probably he had a low IQ. His emotional intelligence most be bad too because he's a lonely man that only relates to others through dead and violence. He maybe was just shocked with this precocious bright little girl talking about love and sex and maybe he was so much confused. He was scared about his feelings because he never felt something like that, he knows there something wrong about it and he couldn't give a name for what he felt. Off course he had paternal feelings toward her but surely he didn't understood them. I think that gives the plot a great deepness independently from the moral questions that this story could arise. This surely is a love story but in a deeper sense that a simple romantic or sexual story.

[@anthonyscully2998]

Agree. It something that English speaking countries over looked

[@YoureMrLebowski]

9:36 "first day on the job ya know?" 😆

[@clit_niblr0375]

Nah, that's just your typical trigger happy cop.

[@jargraroch3000]

Natalie Portman just called this movie "cringey", but it was the ONLY movie she did that I liked and is what launched her "stardom". Too bad for her 😂. It seems like almost all seasoned actresses that started as kids complain about all the "male attention" they received during the making of their movies, but they would absolutely be a nobody without these movies. So, what do you do?

[@helvegen2449]

"1994, it isnt so far away" oh dear... i turn 30 this year and its put a lil smile on me :D

[@eddiejravannen]

After this, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend "Boondock Saints"! You will not regret it.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

"That's a lot of bubble gum." 😆

[@iamredoctober]

Gary Oldman is and has always been an incredible actor. I'm a huge fan.

[@baronfriday989]

The big bald guy that was watching the hallway while Stans was murdering the family was a firefighter, he died on 9/11.

[@chrisbate9956]

Top video and great channel! You appeared to have found a directors cut as I didn't recognise several of those extra scenes.

[@rawx485]

My favorite movie of all time.

[@BeastrealDT]

On the television was the movie, "Singing In The Rain." It stars Gene Kelly and he is happy because he is in love. You should watch this classic film. ✌️❤️🌹

[@localroger]

I'm sure someone has already mentioned this, but DEA is the Drug Enforcement Agency, not Department of Justice. This is why drugs are central to all the crimes in the movie; Gary Oldman's character is supposed to be doing something about the drug problem, but he actually IS the drug problem.

[@DNulrammah]

I always love the Beethoven reference - Oldman starred in "Immortal Beloved" which was about the composer, and was released the same year as this movie.

[@MrJimithee]

Gary Oldman for the WIN! I seriously believe he is the finest film actor of our generation... so versatile

[@savagesupreme921]

i love your perspective on the dynamic between Leon and Matilda. a lot of other people just don't understand and it turns into a rough reaction to watch. I love your reaction thanks for the video!

[@Infamous1991]

Its about time you watch this masterpiece!!!

[@billthomas478]

I love the dog playing on the couch in the background

[@j_go.]

Bjork's music isn't used often in movies, but it's epic whenever it is. 🙂

[@user-ed5ng6lr1f]

One of my favorites. Portman was great, it was her first role in anything and she was wonderful. Thanks for the reaction and I'm glad you liked it.

[@ajaxfernsby4078]

Glad to see you react to all my old favorites and so I’m sure you will be thrilled to watch “True Romance” - 1993. Gary Oldman is among a long lineup of actors in qwerky roles that you won’t soon forget. Do Svidaniya.

[@ryancappo]

12:15. Cleaners are a slang term in English for someone who cleans up mistakes by taking out people, or those who clean up after the hit has taken place.

[@cineparaamigos6213]

Norman stanfield the villain its played by Gary Oldman, he is sirius black in harry potter and gordon in the batman movies

[@multiplemiggs5189]

This film inspired the song by Alt-j called Matilda...

[@williamkerner3758]

Please watch "RED". Seriously, please watch "RED" (2010), with Bruce Willis. You will dig it.

[@akeemjackson6225]

😮 All of these years Professional has been one of me & my moms favorite movies ever. Watched it 1000x's. We had VHS & DVD but I've never seen the middle part where Leon actually trains Matilda!!! Which cut is this?!! Wow!

[@benjamindeharo314]

Director's cut

[@andrewdavidscott8731]

@@benjamindeharo314 This was the cut we got in the UK/Europe on its original release, I remember watching it in the cinema.

[@benjamindeharo314]

@@andrewdavidscott8731 you're wrong, the original release was the theatrical cut worldwide, the director's cut came out the first time in 96

[@andrewdavidscott8731]

@@benjamindeharo314 You're right, I'm conflating cinema viewings. Memory playing tricks after 25 years.

[@benjamindeharo314]

@@andrewdavidscott8731 Yeah, we never remember as well as we think

[@YoureMrLebowski]

0:29 hugo! ❤🙂

[@dkoning373]

Another great reaction, especially on this movie!

[@Niinsa62]

One of the best movies ever!

[@damianstarks3338]

This movie is childhood nostalgia/memories for me. You read my mind at 22:25

[@ChannelReuploads9451]

One of the goons near the start, in the hallway, Benny (Keith A. Glascoe), was a NYC Fire Fighter, he was killed responding to the World Trade Center, as it collapsed. (South Tower). The Old Lady in the hallway, is Woody Allen's Mother.

[@anthonyscully2998]

A critic once described this film as a twisted fairy tale.

[@mickylove76]

Your introductions always sound like my cats saying good morning to me.

[@ianhamilton2035]

One of my all-time favorites!! Great reaction!!! Thank you!!! 😃

[@jeremybr2020]

I'm still annoyed that they haven't done a sequel to this movie. How cool would it be to have a grown up Matilda played by Natalie Portman, and she's now this bad ass cleaner. 😁

[@wiseone1013]

Excellent performances all around! A brutal yet compassionate and empathetic hitman who sacrifices his life in order to protect an orphaned girl from a troubled background, good movie 👍

[@L1VE3V1L]

Fantastic film. Would love to see Mathilda: The Professional when she’s like portman’s age now.

[@4Kandlez]

This was a great reaction Dasha, your interpretation of the relationship between Leon and Matilda was spot on. The comments to this movie are usually full of would be phycologists reading all sorts of disturbed nonsense into it. It's actually a very straightforward movie with great acting all round.

[@x-menwelcometodie624]

That is a real great movie lady One of the most absolute best movie of the 90s era And extremely underrated somehow Despite the fact that everyone in their right minds will love it Adore MATILDA so dearly Best Portman role Aside of Padme

[@mynameispaul0530]

Natalie Portman did super job in this role.

[@userxl41drn301]

lol "That's a lot of bubblegums". I've seen this movie multiple times and never thought about this.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Fun fact: Leon was portrayed by Jean Reno, who also played a "cleaner" in the film Nikita (AKA La Femme Nikita). However in that movie, his character was named Victor, and he was kind of a psycho who would kill people without a second thought.

[@itshitshow3856]

Another fun fact: "The Cleaner" in the American version of _La Femme Nikita,_ a film called _The Point of No Return,_ is played by Harvey Keitel. Keitel uses this character as the basis for another character he plays called "The Wolf" in _Pulp Fiction._

[@cherylsims5636]

She has a very strong character. I never expected her to follow thru the action as well. What can I suggest for the next movie ""TAkEN" its also a crime thriller or COMEDY. The Pink Panther series, which you havent done yet. "Pink Panther '63, Shot in the Dark '64, Return the Pink Panther '74, Revenge Pink Panther '70s, Return Pink Panther '70's"" Pink Panther Strikes Again'70s 🤣🤣🤣

[@Y2JKB8]

I can't believe that the "EVVVEEEERRRYYYOOOOONEEEEEEEEE" was cut from the reaction

[@doctorteethomega]

Movies that should have happened: Mathilda the Professional Conan the King Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian Just kidding about the last one.

[@Madbandit77]

There's a Beetlejuice sequel in development. You're not that far off.

[@sword_of_light]

Oh yeah. I need to water my plant.

[@bearsfaninaz480]

I'm still hoping for a 2nd Professional movie but with Natalie Portman all grown up

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Natalie's become a CLEANER

[@LordVolkov]

Check out Colombiana. It's basically Leon 2, but with Zoe Saldana instead of Natalie Portman 😅

[@Rikard_Nilsson]

The whole point of Leons sacrifice was so she wouldn't have to do that...

[@Fantomex.]

Dasha has a great heart, she's too good for this world of ours

[@flatebo1]

"She has got the money now, right?" Matilda

[@calumm8639]

At last! A reactor who gets the relationship between Matilda and Leon and isn't all freaked out by it.

[@Rikard_Nilsson]

29:28 lol that's clearly an illumination round for a mortar, it's not (very) explosive, it just burns very brightly, also it wouldn't be fired from an LMG.

[@somthingbrutal]

two other Luc bBesson movies worth watching are The big Blue and la Femme Nikita both also have Jean Reno in

[@TennSeven]

You didn't include the best line in the movie! "EVERYONE!!!"

[@PedroCastillo_1980]

Thank you Dasha for reacting Leon: The Professional directed by Luc Besson starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman (In her first movie debut) the classic song "Shape of my Heart" single by Sting was included in the ending credits😊👍👍👍

[@LordVolkov]

Sting has some great soundtrack songs in the 90's. He also does a smooth cover of Nina Simone on the Thomas Crowne Affair soundtrack.

[@PedroCastillo_1980]

@@LordVolkov That's right👍👍

[@iwanttocomplain]

I think this film is a reflection on 90’s New York under mayor Rudy Giuliani and his war on the Italian mafia, as the police and crime families fought for dominance. Although neither party could really be considered the good guys. But in this film I root for Gary Oldman’s character. As he kills with impunity and an unhinged fury, he behaves completely without any consideration of moral decency. He vision is clear. He understands the world he lives in is devoid of morality and has adapted to embrace the true nature of the world of New York crime and punishment and become at one with the insane violence that lies at the core of a city which is in love with vice and violence. Leon kills ten times the number of people that Oldman’s character (Norman) does, but retains the pious position of a monk and person of moral stature. But he is in some ways, like a child, having been shielded from life by his crime boss who keeps his passport for him. So his relationship with Matilda somewhat makes sense. But Leon’s indifference to life is less moral than Norman’s, as he (Norman) takes life in a manner that is somehow more respectful and thoughtful and he manages to draw a connection with classical art which is also largely concerned with the epic and tragic murder of countless historical figures. Norman see’s life as a drama or a play and is basically a nihilist. But at least he recognises the tragedy and twisted beauty that can be found in the depths of a squalid New York underbelly. Whereas Léon is tasked with the humble job of ‘cleaning’ the filth, his heart lies in something pure and clean, which is his plant, which symbolises his desire to grow and flourish in a place which is not New York. Léon decides to blow the whole thing sky high as the solution to his problem of feeling trapped and his distaste for the city, taking Norman with him and ending the reign of the mafia families (symbolically) and the equally corrupt police who thrives under those conditions. The film is fairly thin and on a recent rewatching I found it dragged a bit. But Oldman’s performance and slaughter of the family remains electric and a high point of Hollywood cinema. Besson is accused of being the director who popularised stylish but shallow filmmaking and I feel this is partly true but not entirely. As I feel his emphasis on cinematography and a clean and bold directorial style helps to focus the narrative and plot in a way which is easily digestible and adds to the drama. Even if the plot is a bit thin.

[@jeffsherk7056]

You know, the beginning of this movie reminds me of a story by Ambrose Bierce, who wrote stories during the American Civil War (1861-1865). In one story, a little boy who lives out in the country walks to the pond near his house and goes to sleep on the grass. He is awakened by wounded men crawling to the pond trying to get water, but he is so young he doesn't understand they have been in a battle. He returns home to find his house burned to the ground and his family gone, presumably dead.

[@Johne.8250]

I have the dvd to this movie but many scenes are missing… hmm 🧐 awesome puppy playing in background, btw

[@TampaCEO]

28:22 - You skipped the greatest line of the movie. "EVERYONE!!!!!!!"

[@hamzah5643]

It's very normal for a young girl from an abusive background and going through the emotional storm of seeing her family murdered to immediately develop a bond to a surrogate father figure. And it's very normal for Leon an honorable man to understand that what she actually needs is a father figure and proceeds to fulfill that role, ultimately giving his life for his newly adopted child basically. And in future now, Mathilda knows clearly now what a good man is and what a scumbag is, and she will make really good choices as an older woman. It's probably the case in real life, Leon, given the world he lives in, may have indeed taken advantage of her, and she would have then gone on to, like many, a life of drugs and prostitution and early pregnancy. Unfortunately there are not enough good people in this world to break that cycle before it begins which is why there are no shortage of horror stories from all around the world.

[@tbnamj]

Saludó desde la República Dominicana excelente vídeo

[@doug3691]

As folks become more "green"-minded, I can see this sort of story becoming more common: Boy meets Girl, Girl meets Plant, Stuff happens, Girl and Plant live happily ever after. The End.

[@patbrewer4205]

Try Le Fem Nikita and or Nikita you’ll like them too

[@edwardhudson815]

I always thought that the woman from the school thought mathilda was still lying and wouldn't take her back in no?

[@Sidistic_Atheist]

If you understand French, you should watch *Nikita* it's awesome and was the inspiration for this movie.

[@bryanmack4054]

I’m surprised Dasha hasn’t reacted to Rocky 4 yet

[@pow9606]

Very entertaining movie. Personally I think the message is a good one: - It starts by showing Leon going to sleep on the sofa, the room is bare, he turns off the light whilst sat upright. This tells me that the person cannot go to sleep in a bed like an ordinary person. He cannot plant roots such as purchasing a home and cannot purchase luxury items. His main item he possesses is a simple plant. He has plenty of time on his hands so takes lots are care whilst ironing his clothes. Again painting the picture that his life has such little in it. This tells me that this life as a professional hitman is not a good one. It does it in a none patronising way. Later in the movie he tells Matilda that you don't want to be a hitman because you will forever sleep with one eye open. At the end of the movie Matilda has roots and the plant has roots too. Leon is dead. In between is a rollercoaster of madness with some epic scenes.

[@positivelynegative9149]

Dasha, remember to mention changes in an animal's behavior at their next veterinarian visit. It could be an indication of something else.

[@dangelo1369]

One of the guys who played the hit men (the bald guy in the hallway) was a firefighter for NYC. His name was Keith Glascoe and he died in the Sept 11, 2001 attacks when the south tower collapsed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_A._Glascoe

[@dimm3471]

Привет ))) Посмотри фильм Спящие 1996 года ( точно не помню год ) Отличный фильм . И еще Остров Кима , корейский фильм он просто шикарный))

[@AdrianColley]

"What do you mean, everyone?"

[@rgilman8729]

I always liked this movie. I keep waiting for a sequel with an adult Matilda as the main protagonist as a Cleaner.