Léon

1994
12
1h 50m

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

1.3M

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

194

Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Léon (1994)

Theatrical Trailer from Columbia Pictures

Play trailer2:25

1 Video

99+ Photos

Gangster One-Person Army Action Action Crime Drama Thriller

12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin... Read all12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

1.3M

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

194

See production info at IMDbPro

Top rated movie #43

Awards
- 5 wins & 16 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 2:25

The Professional

Photos230

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
It was Jean Reno's decision to play Léon as if he were "a little mentally slow" and emotionally repressed. He felt that this would make audiences accept that Léon wasn't someone who would take advantage of a vulnerable young girl. Reno claims that for Léon, the possibility of a physical relationship with Mathilda is inconceivable, so when such a relationship is discussed in the movie, Reno very much allowed Portman to be emotionally in control of the scenes. Reno stated that his rationale for agreeing to play the part was that his character was a 10 year old boy in love with a 12 year old girl, so the relationship could only ever be platonic.

Goofs
Many viewers believe that Stansfield never saw Leon, and therefore could not recognize him at the end, but may not remember that Stansfield visited Tony at the restaurant after Leon had killed part of Stansfield's crew. Thus, being intimidated and threatened by Stansfield, it could be assumed that Tony gave him a complete description of Leon, and possibly a photograph.

Quotes
Mathilda: I don't wanna lose you, Leon.
Léon: 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, I'll meet you at Tony's in an hour, I love you, now go, go now.

Crazy credits
Under the "SPECIAL THANKS" heading you will find: Chevalier KAMEN (Prince of the Mash Potatoes) Byblos Bill (King of Saint Tropez) Princess Trudy (Queen of Hearts)

Alternate versions
In the original version there is a shot of Tony's place at night just before Stansfield and his men come in on the birthday party. This isn't in the 'Version integrale' (International Cut).

Connections
Featured in HBO First Look: The Best Man for the Job: The Making of 'The Professional' (1994)

Soundtracks
Shape Of My Heart
Written by Sting and Dominic Miller
Introduction by Dominic Miller
Performed by Sting
Courtesy of Magnetic Ltd. / A&M Records
by arrangement with PolyGram Special Projects

User reviews1.5K

Featured review

10/10

Excellent, smart action film.

Luc Besson's "The Professional" is sort of a companion piece to his international breakthrough hit "La Femme Nikiti", and in many ways it's an even better film. It raises the stakes of Besson's playful women-with-guns theme by making the heroine a 12-year-old, played by a then unknown Natalie Portman. Jean Reno is excellent as her assassin trainer and surrogate father. Oldman is completely over the top in one of his best bad-guy roles, obsessed with both Beethoven and butchery. As a gritty, suspenseful thriller, this film won't leave action fans feeling cheated, but the film is so much more than that. At the center of "The Professional" is a wonderful father and daughter-like relationship between two damaged strangers who find solace in each other.