Film: The Professional (Léon)

Directed by: Luc Besson

Year: 1994

Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello

Reviewed by: J.J.

This is how you make a movie. You have a strong storyline, good acting, good directing, and when action is needed, it is well-done.

Jean Reno plays an Italian Hitman. His life changed drastically when the D.E.A. murders his neighbors, everyone except for the 12-year-old girl, played by Natalie Portman. To save her hide, she goes to live with the hitman (called a "cleaner" in this movie).

This movie has two versions, the American version, and the French version. In the American version, they're best friends. In the French version, they become lovers. The French version has added footage, which really isn't relevant to the story other than the definition of their relationships.

This isn't a morality tale though, so put your holier than thou attitude aside. It's a story about a hitman. So stop freaking out.

When I first saw this film, I immediately knew that little girl would amount to something some day. She should been nominated for an Academy Award that year. Her acting ability, her emotions, her facial expressions, all that were much better than actresses twice her age and experience. But of course, the politically correct Academy Award could never give an Oscar to a kid over an adult (happened with "Whale Rider" too).

If you haven't seen it yet, highly recommended. 9 J's out of 10.

Comments