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Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel ... see more see more... , Michael Badalucco , Ellen Greene , Elizabeth Regen , Carl J. Matusovich , Randolph Scott , Jean-Hugues Anglade , Kent Broadhurst , David W. Butler , Tommy Hollis , Jessie Keosian , Robert La Sardo , Peter Linari , George Martin , Betty Miller , Michel Montanary , Randy Pearlstein , Stuart Rudin , Abdul Hassan Sharif , Mario Todisco , Frank Senger , Marc Andreoni , Joseph Malerba , Samy Naceri , Jernard Burks , Geoffrey Bateman

As visually stylish as it is graphically violent, this thriller directed by Luc Besson concerns Mathilda (Natalie Portman), a 12-year-old girl living in New York City who has been exposed to the sordi... read more read more...d side of life from an early age: her family lives in a slum and her abusive father works for drug dealers, cutting and storing dope. Mathilda doesn't much care for her parents, but she has a close bond with her four-year-old brother. One day, she returns from running an errand to discover that most of her family, including her brother, have been killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents, led by the psychotic Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Mathilda takes refuge in the apartment of her secretive neighbor, Leon (Jean Reno), who takes her in with a certain reluctance. She discovers that Leon is a professional assassin, working for Tony (Danny Aiello), a mob kingpin based in Little Italy. Wanting to avenge the death of her brother, Mathilda makes a deal with Leon to become his protégée in exchange for work as a domestic servant, hoping to learn the hitman's trade and take out the men who took her brother's life. However, an affection develops between Leon and Mathilda that changes his outlook on his life and career. Besson's first American film boasted a strong performance from Jean Reno, a striking debut by Natalie Portman, and a love-it-or-hate-it, over-the-top turn by Gary Oldman. Léon was originally released in the U.S. in 1994 as The Professional, with 26 minutes cut in response to audience preview tests. Those 26 minutes were restored in the director's preferred cut, released in 1996 in France as Léon: Version Intégrale and in the U.S. on DVD as Léon: The Professional in 2000. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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94% liked it

230,794 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

42 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Luc Besson

Release Date: November 18, 1994

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DVD Release Date: August 15, 2000

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Stats: 17,619 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (17,619)

  • fb223580
    December 8, 2011
    fb223580
    Another instant favourite film. How can you not love Jean Reno?? He is just adorable, even when he's being a professional killer! Natalie Portman was astonishingly intelligent and mature (I could hear her 25-year-old voice speaking to me out of that 13-year-old face), but she ... read moremade me uncomfortable with her prepubescent sexuality.

    Bottom line: Watch this film. It made me sad, made me laugh, made me curl up against my housemates (dreading the exquisite tension in the action choreography, and dreading the ever-entertaining Gary Oldman) but was not so violent that I had to cover my eyes at any point. Must watch again.
  • phubbs1
    October 24, 2011
    phubbs1
    The best hitman movie ever, so ice cool so slick and quite emotional. Jean Reno's best subtle performance and Portman's best role also (as a kid) yet disturbingly hot. The action is first class and pinpoint, Oldman is crazy and his sidekicks are just waiting to be whacked hehe. T... read morehe start sequence and finale are awesome, Luc Besson's best and the film that put Reno on the map in the west.
  • fb619846742
    August 17, 2011
    fb619846742
    A near-masterpiece of an action/suspense flick concerning a illiterate, lonely hitman (Jean Reno) who reluctantly takes a young girl (Natalie Portman) under his wing after her entire family is murdered ruthlessly by courrpt DEA agents, led by a psychopath (Gary Oldman). The film ... read moreis not to be taken literally, moreso a poetic, unique relationship between a beaten, battered veteran killer who is paired with an innocent, ambitious 12-year old, and it hits all the notes exactly right. The thing that makes this film a cut above your average thriller is Portman's performance, where she is asked to do ten times more than your usual child actor, and she delivers splendidly. Jean Reno's fabulous, understated turn is so special and so touching, it's hard not to fall in love with his character and pull for him all the way. Gary Oldman's over-the-top performance actually fits in perfectly for how cartoonish the police figures in this movie are displayed, as director Luc Besson wants no one to be confused as to who are the "good" guys here. Overall, a stylish, absorbing drama in which the primary relationship is irrefutably arresting, which makes the movie a treat from start to finish.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 12, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Leon (The Professional) is quite possibly the best film by director Luc Besson, whom I'm not a fan of. I thought that this film was very well made, and the action was well done. Like ever film there are low points, a weak link if you will. Though she plays an integral part of the... read more story, I found Natalie Portman's character, Matilda to be annoying at times. That was really my only beef with the film. Besson has assembled a great cast for Leon. Gary Oldman is as usual, stunning in his performance, and he proves once again that he is a phenomenal actor. Oldman is truly an underrated talent in cinema. Jean Reno stars in the title role, and he definitely delivers one of his greatest performances. I think the chemistry between Portman and Reno was great. Even with the fact that at times Portman's character got on my nerves, I thought for the most part, her character was solid. Luc Besson has crafted his greatest work with Leon. This is a thrilling action packed film that will appeal to anyone seeking a solid piece of good thrills. Though not perfect, Leon is far better than most of Luc Besson's usual productions. Leon is a very well made action film and I thought it was very well acted and made. This is actually the only film that Luc Besson made that didn't make me want to pull my hair out. Aside from Natalie Portman singing "like a virgin", which was the most annoying aspect of the film, Leon is one action film not to pass up on. I thought that the idea of having a 12 year old wanting to become a "cleaner" was an interesting idea for the plot, and it worked marvelously well. In the end, you have yourself an action picture that as usual, a few critics miss the mark on.
  • MissMorganLeee
    June 12, 2011
    MissMorganLeee
    Great Moive! Just lthe right amount of time and great performances. I love love loove Gary Oldman in this Film. I love him in all films but he is truly great in this one. Completely Mad, and completely entrancing. This man can do ANYTHING. He is also quite the looker in my oppin... read moreion. ;) Natalie Portman was fantastic as well...what a great starting role! Chech this one out!
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    May 30, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    A fantastic and utterly enjoyable film (despite the uncomfortableness I felt when Mathilda and Leon got a bit too close). Brilliant performances from Reno, Portman and Oldman; possibly their best performances. You never knew how the story was going to go which kept it entertainin... read moreg and interesting and kept you in your seat. Although sad, we all know the Mathilda can cope and will survive. A great watch.
  • jarobb3
    March 4, 2011
    jarobb3
    A potential date night movie about an assassin -- very rare. Although I'm a huge Gary Oldman fan (why is he always a crazed bad guy?), Jean Reno steals the show with his potrayal of a goofy and loveable cold-blooded killer. I'm still a little creeped out by 12-year-old bad-girl N... read moreatalie Portman though...

    Not as good as the best Luc Besson film though... you know the one I mean.
  • allan913
    February 16, 2011
    allan913
    An action movie masterpiece. Unstoppable and so totally unforgettable. An outstanding and explosive movie. Amazing performances all around from it's brilliant cast. Jean Reno is terrific, giving a breathtaking and outstanding performance. He is not just the best action hero Franc... read moree has but one of its best actors period. Natalie Portaman is remarkable, a star making performance. Gary Oldman is explosive, a charismatic, witty and fearless performance. A wickedly cool, slick, thrilling, deeply moving and tenderly emotional film. It has heart and alot of soul. It's spectacular and action-packed. Theirs lots of smart and well crafted action sequences. It's stylish, brilliant and extraordinary. Director, Luc Besson has created another riveting classic. A powerful action-thriller.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    February 1, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    love it or hate it.... or think its okay.
  • FrizzDrop
    January 19, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    Unlike any other action film in existence, The Professional concerns hitman Leon, an illiterate, emotionally scarred and unloved portrayal by none other than Jean Reno. In one of the best breakous roles is none other than Natalie Portman, out for vengeance for her murdered family... read more as Mathilda, a twelve year old with a sophisticated air. Not only is she callous, but blatantly provocative and a beautiful influence to the man who saved her life. In a role unlike any other, Gary Oldman plays a corrupt police officer, obviously disturbed and/or psychotic. I bring special attention to the actors who were so extraordinarily cast and directed that without them it still would have been a true tale of guts and glory, but without that unique edge no other action thriller can touch. Beautiful cinematography, directing, acting, special effects, makeup, and artistic value. Amazing ending, and just generally freaking awesome.

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum
July 6, 2010
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Mathilda is like no New York City girl-child I've ever seen riding the subway. And I couldn't take my eyes off her. Full Review

Lisa Nesselson
September 26, 2007
Lisa Nesselson, Variety

A naive fairy tale splattered with blood. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
September 26, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Ultimately seems at once too deranged and too mechanical. Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

The Professional is much too sentimental to sound shockingly amoral in the least. Even in a finale of extravagant violence, it manages to be maudlin. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

One pretty awesome action movie. Full Review

Richard Schickel
January 1, 2000
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

The bonding of Mathilda and Leon may be among the strangest in the long, tiresome history of odd-couple movies.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

It is stylish, darkly humorous, and almost artsy in its approach to the genre. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Always at the back of my mind was the troubled thought that there was something wrong about placing a 12-year-old character in the middle of this action. Full Review

James Plath
February 11, 2012
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

Leon: The Professional has style to spare. Full Review

Scott Nash
August 16, 2011
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

You'll enjoy the action, but you'll remember the movie because of Reno and Portman. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Leon: Never in the face, If they can not recognize the client, you don't get paid. Cause you could take anybody and said you did the job. Got it?
    • Mathilda: Got it. Never in the face.
    • Leon: Hey What about the ring trick?
    • Leon: This is for Matilda...
    • Stansfield: Oh...shit!
    • Leon: And stop saying 'okay' all the time. Okay?
    • Mathilda: Okay.
    • Leon: Good.
    • Stansfield: Bring me everyone.
    • Stansfield's Man: What do you mean 'everyone'?
    • Stansfield: Everyone!
    • Stansfield: I haven't got time for this Mickey Mouse bullshit.
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Léon (The Professional) Trivia

  • In the film "Leon, The Professional," Nathalie Portman's character always switches the program on the TV to a certain cartoon. Which cartoon does she always try to watch?  Answer »
  • How did Jean Reno's assasin character kill Gary Oldmans corrupt cop character in 'Leon - The Professional'?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Leon the Professional" what does Leon drink every day  Answer »
  • In which film does Gary Oldman say "I haven't got time for this Mickey Mouse bullshit. "   Answer »
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