JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Leon The Professional (1994) - Trailer Included
Leon: The Professional Deluxe Edition
Criminally unavailable in Australia, apologies to local readers for reviewing another US release.
U.S DVD Cover (Unreleased in Oz)
Cinematography:Thierry Arbogast
Starring:Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Running Time:133 Minutes (Extra Footage inserted)
"The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn." - Leon
Inspired by Jean Pierre Melvilles groundbreaking Le Samourai, this is a tale of redemption, an empathic study of a gentle Hitman. His relationship to a potted plant and too a 12 year old girl named Matilda.
"You're not going to lose me. You've given me a taste for life. I wanna be happy. Sleep in a bed, have roots. And you'll never be alone again, Mathilda. Please, go now, baby, go. Calm down, go now, go." - Matilda
Violent yet beautiful to look at, vicious but tenderly told, human ugliness is poetic in this gripping and grandiose action thriller.
“Are you free Tuesday” an innocent question opens the film but carries with it a deadly serious task for the skilful gunman, Leon (Jean Reno). Meticulous and methodical, living in the shadows an expert at his trade, he is beyond formidable, almost a myth.
"Somebody's coming up. Somebody serious" - Fatman
Killing for a living, death has become his only companion. Emotionally immature he is a child at heart, which goes someway towards explaining the detachment he feels towards his targets.
Leon only has his work and daily routine, rituals he adheres to in order to survive and stay in peak condition. One sided conversations with a plant are the closest he has come to friendship, he lives an insular existence.
Living in an apartment building, a family across the hall is mercilessly gunned down by a drug crazed psycho cop Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Escaping certain death Matilda desperately seeks shelter in Leon’s world.
“I get no pleasure in taking life, if its from a person who doesn’t care about it” – Stansfield
Hardened, her innocence was shattered long ago and her presence destroys Leon’s focused existence. Proving quickly she is more street smart than her adult counterpart, the protégé’s assassination training begins.
"I've decided what to do with my life. I wanna be a cleaner." - Matilda
For Leon introverted angst turns to turmoil as the threat of forbidden love blossoming is always present then more frightening an acceptance of the fatalistic relationship is the kill shot.
"Can we try with real bullets now?" - Matilda
You are not going to take Luke and Leia away from me
John Doe says:
Touching and powerful the film is stunningly shot, there is an impact and excitement in the action scenes but also profound emotions exuded from the vibrant use of colour and dark menace that resonates, underscoring every scene.
Director Luc Besson's (Final Combat, The Big Blue, Subway) first English language film takes the gritty backdrop of his film La Femme Nikitta and adds more light.
Crafting a precise screenplay he delves deep to balance confronting realism with extroverted cinema virtuosity. Internalizing the central character, personalizing private moments, abruptly sending tsunami’s of energy through operatic external forces that echo tragedy.
The camera work is also dead bang with movement and stillness enhancing moments that could remain unnoticed.
Luc Besson regular Jean Reno (Crimson Rivers, La Femme Nikitta, Le Visituers) was catapulted to international recognition for his restrained performance. Seeping innocence and charming with soft features and subtle mannerisms. We should see him as a potential pedophile and a cold blooded criminal, instead he is an anti hero who is as capable of caring as he is unleashing his lethal talent.
Natalie Portman (Heat, Beautiful Girls) makes her feature film debut with a part to match Lolita on her best day. Her on camera worldliness is present even at 12 years old, her eyes glow, but there is also corrupted childhood in every whisper.
Gary Oldman (Rosencrantz and Guilderstern, Nil By Mouth, Sid & Nancy) is in overdrive as the amphetamine chewing, Mozart lovin role of irredeemable villain. It may have looked a bit one dimensional on the page but Oldman sinks his mighty fangs into the sinnuee flesh of the part ensuring that we watch him like a hawk. (DVD joy- There are some glorious outtakes showing the man improvising scenes and the many varied ways to interpret what is written)
Now a cult classic, John Doe puts the film beside other Killer quests for redemption classics like John Woo’s The Killer and the aforementioned Le Samourai.
Seeing this DVD Director’s cut with over 15 minutes of new footage inserted into the film is essential for fans. Most of the extra footage revolves around the depths of Leon and Matilda’s relationship, boldly removing a lot of inference without resorting to onscreen passion. Particularly tasty is a scene that was deleted where Matilda sees her mentor at work, for educational purposes.
U.S DVD: (Unavailable in Oz)
Transfer: 2:35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/Dolby Digital 5.1 plus DTS
Extras: 10 year Retrospective, Jean Reno Road To Leon, Natalie Portman: Starting Young plus a Fact Track
One of the sweetest DVD's on the market, the extras ar all informative and increase knowledge of how the film was made.
The Trailer
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
It's ok, I guess... I'd like to see Le Samourai, though, to compare...
Such a girl,
W
I love the film that was available ... It's one of my favourite films ...
It's like, if the main character is great ... complex ... yet simple ... (call it whatever you like ... multi-dimensional ... ) ... I'm quite happy (sometimes mesmerised) just following the main two characters for the entire film ... I don't need an ensemble cast ...
I just love this film due mainly to the pefromances of the two main characters re character development and portrayal ... it's sort of reality virtuality ? ... (as opposed to scripted reality TV?) ... as in ... fly on the wall stuff ... when I'm watching a film like this ... I'm saying to myself: Take me into your world ... let me see how you live ... tell me who you are ... take me somewhere I've never been ... let me experience what it's like to be an assasin without ever having to kill anyone ... all that stuff ... take me to a foreign world ... just let me in ... the voyeuristic nature of film? ... I'm a voyeur ... I love voyeurism ...
Anyway, I have to go now ... My latest Porn Video just arrived from Fyshwick ... *
Keep the reviews coming ... I love them ...
David ...
Film & TV on DVD
Portman creeped you out in this, was it the sexuality and poise of the character that made you uncomfortable?
Just so you know, Le Samourai is a totally different story, its the essence of the film (EG: Hitman seeks tender redemption) that inspired John Woo's the Killer and The Professional.
Hi Wendi,
This is a very complex and tenderly told film that surprises with its touching emotion and exploration of loneliness.
Moving at its own pace and though the violence does have impact and is not always pleasant, it is necessary and should not keep you from seeing the film.
David,
I agree completly, the two centeral characters are enough of a reason to see this film, for its unique perspective.
The quality storytelling and solid support are just a bonus.
Celebrity Obsession
Film & TV on DVD
This is easily the best film Besson has Directed it brings all the elements from The Big Blue, Subway and La femme Nikkitta together....then inserts an incredible emotional core....after this he imploded and made empty vessels like Fifth Element.
Your welcome Wendi
Great post too
Hal
Always Eighteen
ZCars
Ponderous
Haven't seen it since, but reading this review gives me the urge to go rent it.
Charles.
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Always Eighteen,
The extra scenes definately enhance the relationship and do confront with complex emotion, for the better I think...I love the extra training scene.
Hi Charles,
I will have to lend you it because they havent released it on DVD in Australia...the edited version is available on VHS..
Great response all, thank you
Horrorphile
One of his films I loathe (The Fifth Element)
Others I enjoy (Nikita, The Big Blue, Subway)
This one didn't really do it for me when I saw it when it came out. I've only ever seen it the once. Perhaps I could give it another go.
Both leads irritated me intensely, especially their relationship. We've discussed this already JD, I know ....
coolgirlsar to the rescue
One Too Many Chocolate Bars
Film & TV on DVD
Jean Reno is amazing in this isnt he? The extended version is a must if your a fan...