Léon: The Professional — A Review

1st August, 2021.

Right … as it says in the introductory video … ?

It’s a Sunday night.

Although you’re not reading this on the Sunday night that I’ve started writing this.

And it’s a Sunday night where I’ve done something I’ve not seen in a while.

I’ve started a post I’m going to finish the next day: a post about a movie that I last saw many years ago, and felt I should see again.

Yep: you’re right … 

I saw Léon: The Professional.

And going to carry on telling you about it, tomorrow …

~≈Á≈~

2nd August, 2021.

Léon: The Profesional opens with a long shot of New York: rushing down a main road, until the camera reaches Guido’s Restaurant.

Where Old Tony (Danny Aiello) is talking to Léon (Jean Reno): about a job.

Tony want’s Léon to intimidate a rival.

Something Léon finds seriously easy.

Afterwards, arriving at the block of flats he calls home?

He meets Matilda (Natalie Portman): the troubled twelve year old who lives next door.

And whose family is having more problem than she, or Léon know.

Her father … ?

Stores cocaine for corrupt Drug Enforcement Agency agent, Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman).

With bits of the current batch her father’s holding … ?

Having gone missing.

Stansfield isn’t happy: and gives Matilda’s father until noon the next day, to make good the difference.

Or else there’ll be problems.

~≈Á≈~

The next day?

The next day Matilda comes home.

Only to find Stansfield … has killed every member of her family.

Except her.   As she’d gone shopping for the mysterious Léon: who’s seen what happened, through his door’s peep hole.

He’s seen MAtilda knocking at his door.

The only thing her can do to help?

Is open the door.

That … ?

Is where the story really starts … 

~≈Á≈~

Now … 

It’s been a while since I last saw Léon: The Professional.

Just over a decade, in fact.

And … ?

I can remember thinking that Léon — as it was then called — was one hell of an impressive movie.

Impressive … with possibly odd undertones.

From what I can remember at the time, my perceptions were that there were possible undertones of a relationship that — under normal circumstances — wouldn’t be healthy: an older man spending time with a girl of twelve he’s not related to.

Something I had the impression was worse in the novel I thought the film was based on: a novel I’ve since been unable to find!

However, we can look at it in another way: as something the film presents as a result of Matilda attaching herself to a kindly neighbour, in the wake of a tragedy.

Which seems …

Benign is possibly the nearest word I can use.

Either way?   It’s a relationship that Reno and Portman play with incredibly depth and passion: and with a believability I found utterly riveting.

Needless to sy, Gary Oldman as Stansfield, the film’s antagonist, is equally riveting.

I’ve seen him in a few things, over the years: although I’ve still not seen his Oscar winning performance in Darkest Hour.

For my current money?   His performance as Stansfield is still one of the more watchable film villains I can remember, in a while: one that’s worth the rental fee, on its own.

Combine those performances with an impeccable supporting cast, with superb writing, with Besson’s direction, with action so well choreographed it hurts?

You have, for my money … ?

A very watchable film.

Now … 

Can I suggest you watch Léon: The Professional?

It’s worth watching.

Léon: The Professional

★★★★