Honestly, as creepy as the vibe was between Matilda and Leon, I always viewed it as Leon just wanting a friend and Matilda having a confused tween crush on him, but with it ending as a strange sort of surrogate father-daughter relationship.
I think you're seeing what you want to see because you're uncomfortable with the true nature of their relationship, which has been horribly romanticized. Leon and Matilda are creepy, because it was paedophilic. This film is a pedo's fantasy; made for paedophiles by a paedophile.
No it isn't, it makes Leon very uncomfortable because it is nothing he wants. She has a first crush with a father figure she looks up to, is quite damaged from the lack of love in her own family, has no friends etc.. and she is quite impulsive, almost kills herself at on point, not thinking clear at all.
I love this movie but always looked at it as a crush a young girl had on an much older guy. He never acted that way toward her and seemed uncomfortable when she was acting attracted to him. He cared about her because she loved him when everyone else treated him like an object. Nothing controversial here in my mind.
Exactly! I always saw her crush as the love you feel for your folks, but, because he is not actually related to her, it becomes confused in her young, naive mind. You can clearly see she admires him, most of all, because he cared and provided for her when she was alone and threatened. Much like a father figure would do.
Yeah, and now I have to go see the clip of him saying "EVVVVERRRYYYONNNNNE!" I liked his voice in the role he had in "True Romance," too. Creepy and unpredictable.
am I the only one who loves their relationship. I mean not sexually but more like platonic. Mathilda has never been really loved by her family. She has never experienced how it feels like when someone actually cares for u. And Leon was more than half of his life lonely. He didn't really have a friend. I hope I am not the only one.
Yes many of us are drawn to make bonds with people and sometimes these relationships cross over into relationships society doesn't accept. So is life. Try to put life in a box and blanket it in rules and life will just shit in your face and tell you to fuck off! Society laws are of no value to a dog and they are of no value to any of us. Anything written is shit and peoples laws are hypocritical crap.
Youre commenting in literally every comment about their relationship? Are you that desperate for attention and validation/reactions for your sick fantasies? What a loser!
Long Lost........Mmmm, yes Natalie Portman's film debut is absolutely extraordinary. But is it really better than Joe Pesci's performance as Joey La Motta in 'Raging Bull'?
I think Matilda and Leon’s relationship was healthy. Yes, she had a crush on him, but she *clearly* craved a loving relationship with an adult since her parents didn’t give that to her. since Leon didn’t pursue Matilda romantically it makes the situation okay.
It doesn't matter the reason of why she had a crush.. When i was a 12 year old boy I had crushes on hot adult girls... I always thought that that was normal...sort of come of age process. I suddenly realize that young teenagers are forbidden on having crushes on adults according to modern standards.
@@mikejunior211 no it's the adults reciprocating the crush towards a minor that is pedophilia. A teen or preteen having a crush on someone older is normal. An adult wanting to have sex with a kid is not.
@@Tinmann_77 I get that. I was just commenting on the hypocrites who said it was gross the Matilda crush on Leon in the movie. Leon did not reciprocated. Other than that I agree with you, except that when I was 12 years old I wish I had one of those teachers reciprocated on my crush...It would have been AMAZING!
It's not the relationship that's the problem. It's the depiction of Matilda that's the problem. She may have had an innocent crush on him but the film portrays her in a sexual way which is kinda creepy.
Eh... Luc Besson may be a creep, but I don't think Leon and Matilda really had that kind of relationship. She had a crush on him and he didn't know what to do with himself. I don't think he actually wanted her to have a crush on him, but he did like her company.
Ohh don't kid yourself. He fucked her when the camera's weren't filming. She was aggressive and willing and he had nothing to lose. But if he was man enough to tell her no and stick to his guns then I admire that man. I don't think I would have the same reserve. If the eyes of the world weren't upon me I think I would ravage the entire word without any feelings of guilt or remorse. Man, Woman, Child, or animals would not be safe from my animal lusts. Zeus and the other God's don't have shit on my sexual desires. :)
Gary Oldman's character was priceless. Always found it so funny how he was able to scare the crap out of his own thugs no matter how big and tough they were.
Fun Fact: In the game series Resident Evil the character Leon S. Kenedy can receive a weapon named "Matilda" in almost every game that stars Leon as a character playable character in reference to the movie.
I just want to share a moment. When I saw Leon for the first time way, waaay back when...my girlfiend at the time fell asleep. I watched a story that touched me very deeply - to the point that many years later (married to the same girl) my first daughters name is Matilda. My wife has no idea why.
I did not think too much about the Leon / Mathilda relationship because it was all on her end (the creepy parts, I mean). Leon was not into her, and treated her more like a daughter or something. The fact this was based on Luc Besson's girlfriend actually makes it creepy to me, now.
bobtheduck Jean Reno made the character be mentally slow and therefore not capable of have a romantic relationship with her, you can just ignore the weird undertones
Not really, a main point and theme of the film is self-control, discipline, and choosing to not allow sexual or romantic activity until the other person is fully matured and ready mentally, emotionally, and physically for that type of relationship. Besson's girlfriend knew him since she was twelve and claimed to have fallen in love for certain at fifteen, so I am guessing she likely tried to seduce him and failed because he actually cared for her; putting her needs first even if it meant denying what she wanted because she didn't understand what she wanted. I am willing to bet that when he explained that to her, it was that moment she realized what she felt could grow into real love and that the depth of his care for her wasn't like anything she understood yet so that, too, could blossom into love in time. I do not believe there is a better way to test the character of someone you are interested in.
Bran Phillips Well, in that case I don't find it creepy anymore. Also, if Luc Besson left her before she became an adult and chose another 12 year old child, then he definitely would have been a pedo. I guess he actually felt in love with her.
I’m not going to say the “relationship” the original film tried to portray is “ok” by American standards (or anywhere else for that matter) BUT toward the end of the film you can’t say that Leon didn’t understand just what “I love you” meant to Matilda. When they had to part ways, Leon knew Matilda’s feelings, accepted them, and wanted a future together. Now, I’m not saying that IF they had made it alive then and there that they would be in a romantic relationship. However, it doesn’t mean that Leon and Matilda ‘s relationship wouldn’t develop once Matilda grew up into a full-grown adult. The age difference, whether we like it or not, would no longer matter after Matilda turned 18. The gap is there but if it’s two adults then it’s not creepy. Now, if Leon (or anyone for that matter) would to have developed the relationship romantically while Matilda was still a minor then it would be wrong. Is it creepy? Eh, only if one is still a minor and the other a full grown adult. I’ve seen people close to me who are 8 to 10 years apart from their spouses but they all got married between 18 through age 30. Some got married in their teens but with other teens not 30 -year olds 🤷🏻♀️
He really does have that edge... I do not like his take on commissioner Gordon a good guy in Batman Dark Night series.. some of the worst writing for Oldman.
I have such fond memories watching this when I was a little girl lol My oldest brother had it and every day i come home from school eat, do my homework and watch 15 mins of it with him in his room on his VCR than I would have to get ready for bed and than do the same thing the next day. It was how my brother and I bonded than one day he moved and I never finished the movie because he than later died.... years ..many years later I finally finished it. This movie means so much to me.
23DEATHNUMBER thankyou. Yeah he was my favorite brother, my other brother would pick on me all the time, but this brother .. he was the best but yeah some things just have so much meaning to us for certain reasons
Yeah, he has that Ed Harris quality of being able to be in shitty productions while still being good in them (See: Onimusha 3, also see: Beat Takeshi in Battle Royale. I know a lot of you fanboys slobber all over it, but it wasn't THAT great a movie).
I've seen evil characters like Dr Lecter and Freddy but Stansfield still rates as one of the creepiest baddies on film. It's Gary Oldman at his best. He truly unnerved me because Stansfield came across as a pure psychopath who seemed to take pleasure in murdering or inflicting hell on others. The bathroom scene (where he found out Matilda had a "special delivery" for him) was just creepy and made the hairs on my neck stand up. Gary Oldman wasn't acting. It felt like he became Stansfield. That's why this movie was so creepy but it still is one of Besson's best films.
Well said.. Oldman is one of the most underrated actors of all time , imo.. Been a huge fan since fist seeing him in State of Grace., but Stansfield is probably one of his best characters in terms of violence and being a total psycho. Since then his Career has certainly taken off, but he is just way underrated . He truly transforms into the character so completely . He seems very busy right now, working on like 4 diff projects .
he was a psycho a drugged up psycho that's why he was so messed up and yes he admits that he likes killing people but only people who are afraid to die.
That is what he claims, but in the end its obviously bullshit, because he shoots Leon in the back..nothing more cowardly than that, and yes he even gets his ass handed to him in an Epic Way. Point is Leon was never afraid to die, not even close, so technically he did not fit into his patters . And dont get me wrong, I am one of the biggest G Oldman fans out there, im speaking strictly about the nasty character he plays here of course,, just absolutely brilliant.. in the end we find out what a coward Stansfield actually is.. he only puts on an Aura of being a tough guy with all this respect from his fellow crooked cops ,, street smart yes, Psychpath, yes.. but just a coward in the end.
+Jeff from Jersey it wasn't that he was afraid of leon.the way i see it is stansfield knew he couldnt take on leon one on one so he took advantage and shot him in the back.so stansfield wasnt taking any chances.
They should of mentioned that the guy who played Benny in the movie actually in real life ended up a New York City fireman and died saving lives in the World Trade Center on 9-11
I literally came to these comments to say the same thing. His name was Keith A. Glascoe. Apparently a street was named after him in the aftermath of the attacks. Such an important but ultimately tragic piece of movie trivia.
Reno teared up when he got the script, then he said "I'm already ready" as they prepared for a threesome. For some reason that's the most French thing I've ever heard of.
This movie is amazing but I’m wondering if it was the right move, because this film affected psychologically Natalie Portman, she talks about it in a interview, about how she was so sexualized after this movie that it changed her perception about herself, and influenced the roles she accepted and how she conducted and behaved herself, it is an amazing movie, but Natalie can’t stand it and it’s kinda sad.
Fun Fact I saw the Phantom Menace in a Theater in Syosset NY (Now closed was one of the last big screen theaters on Long Island at the time) and Natalie was there she was pretty incognito but my wife recognized her after the movie in the theater bathroom.
When people ask me what my favorite film is, I say Leon. And I am a film buff. It is not my favorite at any particular thing, but it is so well rounded, it is hard to beat. It is edgy, it has heart, it has great characters, great villain, good action, great acting (Portman's best!)pop corn-ish just enough, artsy just enough. It is not my favorite in any given genre, but if I had to pick one film overall, it is this one.
+Christian Jadot Whoa, I'm a fellow Cinemaphile (with Asperger's Syndrome) myself, and whoa, you totally nailed. While I know that there are more "deeper" or several percentage more "better made in some respects" films, I tend to have this in my proverbial _"Top Ten List of Favorite Films"_ of my own personal tastes of all time simply because, for the several reasons you noted, the International or _European Cut_, is simply oh so well rounded, to be sure indeed. Perfectly put for your reasons of note as well, to be sure.
I also wanted to say to the top poster that this is also my favorite Portman performance overall as well, too. To me it was actually all down hill from here; many don't believe me whenever I tell them but its true.
+Brandon Mr. Rockabilly She ruined herself with Star Wars (meaning acting wise), I think that gave her bad acting habits. I believe her low point was Closer, maybe it is because I can't stand that film (you can tell it was made from a stage play script), but I think she is starting to improve. She was not bad in Black Swan, but I credit Aronofsky with that. I assume she is the type of actress that needs to be directed, but that is just a guess. Still, she rocks in Leon, her and Jean Reno are just awesome. Gary Oldman is always good, so that is a given.
Same here: I am a _MASSIVE_ Original Trilogy fanatic & collector, but I despise the wooden acted, pedestrian directed, heavily under-written (especially Episodes I & II with its atrociously forced sudden 'romance dialogue' which is hands down the worst Lucas' wrote of his career, I must say). But I blame poor casting, Lucas the most, as well as an over-abundance of CGI & banal film making on the Prequel Trilogy, among other things. I mean there _WAS_ talent involved in making them, for Christ our savior's sakes (just think: Ewan McGregor; Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman plus Samuel L. Jackson among others) and they still stunk to high heaven. Proof that legendarily widescreen film maker John Carpenter is right: "Every good film starts with a good script, followed by a good script and finally not too many re-writes that writes any sort of magic OUT of a good script". I am honestly not as into Arronoksy as others as I tend to find him a good interview & respectfully passionate but _FAR_ too much 'style over substance'. Also Requiem For a Dream is one of the first unrated blu rays I ever gave away. Its far too depressive & over all shallow & empty for such a praised flick, though I do see why some like it, it isn't for me. The Wrestler was good and Black Swan DID have its moments but over all as a modern age _"mind fuck"_ movie, I just couldn't get into it. Don't ask me how. Alas, to each their own!!! And yeah Closer where she showed ass cheeks as well as her brief nudity time with that Schwartman guy sort of got to me. As a Tennessee native I didn't mind her accent in Where the Heart Is but it was far too under-written & formulaic for me to like it as much as some of my relatives did, though. V for Vendetta is okay but political-wise I am the polar opposite I won't lie and mostly whenever V as a character played by Hugo Weaving isn't on screen, or any other exciting chunk/set-piece (thank you Paul Thomas Anderson who's commentary track for Boogie Nights but that into my vocabulary), I do think that the film sort of dies, though. But to be sure Leon is her "honest & most real" youthful acting where even before Anywhere But Here. Or even Beautiful Girls where in she had a bit part. I tried getting into that show about Jersey she did (_Garden State_) but ultimately it was a bit too hipster dialogue drive for me, but she did do okay. I agree with you on Closer _A LOT_ by the way. I dislike most movies made from adapted pre-existing stage play dialogue, save from the late great L.M. "Kit" Carson's fabulously adapted screenplay for 1984s best movie Paris, Texas. Great comments as per always.
This film was purely thrilling and unique. Mathilda and Leon's relationship wasn't creepy, you have to get past the stigma others say of pedophilia in this movie to figure out it was about two broken souls who were eachothers reason to live again.
Jasmine Chapman we may also just assume that while the love Mathilda had for Leon wasn't platonic. Leon had found like a father figure in himself for Matilda.
tapirtoon EVEN BETTER. Didnt know this, thank you. Also, to appeal to the PC and sensitive audience it has to be watered down, sad it didnt make the movie.
Jasmine Chapman But that wasn't pedophilia after all. Didn't you know that Natalie Portman's character for the film was obviously a teleiophile instead?
I was extremely confused when I watched the Director‘s cut for the first time since it was almost 100% identical with the version I saw dozens of times (International version). Only difference was the license scene. If I remember correctly, the International version had always been shown on German tv. I was shocked once I saw the Cinema version for the US. They did cut so many scenes, almost 23 min in total! Why were those scenes removed anyway? I can’t see a sexual relationship between the main characters. It‘s just Mathilda implying stuff that is too much for Leon to handle. She’s asking for the only kind of love she’s heard of (since she never received her families love) from someone who completely shut himself off of any feelings. Those scenes give both characters even more depth, imo.
Ohh now I see what is going on. I just didn't know what were those scenes in the video I never saw before. I always watched the Netflix version, didn't know in reality it was cut.
One of my all-time favorites. Natalie Portman was excellent----Jean Reno was very good---But ohhhhhhh my, did This film get stolen --at least in performance!!--by Gary Oldman! I had seen him in " True Romance " & " Sid & Nancy", & was just overwhelmed by his brilliance. And, his best line : " EVERYOOOOOOOOONE ! " -------------Wolfsky9
they fucked. they didn't show it but its implied. They didnt show their births but its implied they were born. DUH get to the fuckin choppa your brain is in there
Jim Bones I've seen the film about 10 times. At what point is it implied that they slept together??? Leon is a father figure to her. He raises her better than her own parents. Now if YOU think that they fucked, you're a sicko.
Jim Bones Elaborate. I just think you're a fucking weirdo, because you've not put forward any scene where it's 'implied'. You don't understand Leon at all if you think he's a paedophile lol.
5? No... 2 + 2 = 4-play between Matilda and Leon. Even some jerk on another Professional video was trying to convince people that Leons love was like a father's love for his daughter. WTF? It should be called Leon the Peadophile, but The Professional sounds better. Anyone who says there was nothing between them is just trying to hide their guilt for liking little girls.
kebabtank Lol... amusing. I own the extended directors cut on Blu ray. And the film is shot in English. Not sure what you think I missed... But every frame shot is on my version.👍💪
HUGE Jean Reno fan after seeing him as The Cleaner in Nikita. This film did not weird me out. I know a lot of people objected to the age difference. The way the movie was written, it did not creep me out at all. Huge move for Portman. Huge. Kudos to her parents for seeing the script as it was intended.
Leon shouldn't have a sequel. I like to think that Mathilda goes on to find a happy and normal life. If she continues in the steps of an assassin, she'd be more or less confined to the same fate as Leon, not death, but isolation, loneliness. Being an assassin with a family is something an enemy can easily prey on, a weakness in that business. Her brief time with Leon has shown her what it's like to be loved and cared for. So it only makes sense that she goes on growing from that experience, instead of regressing into a reclusive, cold assassin.
+Mahmod Mokhtar I was negative six when this came out, and now that I think about it, that means that Natalie Portman is only twelve years older than me.
+Eyerish .B That's standard for this film when it airs outside Europe. People get *incredibly* squidgy over the relationship with Matilda without taking the time to understand what it means in the narrative of the film.
My father was a small arms instructor in the Marine Corps. Both my sisters and I learned how to handle firearms safely by age 8. I taught my son when he was a bit older. He taught his sisters when they were in their teens. This grandma wishes more parents taught their children firearm safety, or like Natalie Portman's folks, gave her lessons with a pro. I am forever grateful to my dad for teaching me so many useful and important life lessons.
I guess that’s the american way of handling it. We really don’t have that amount of firearms at home here in Europe. Did you knew that more than 1.5 million citizens have been murdered since Mark Chapman shot John Lennon?
+Deebo Molina I scared a girl at university with an impression once. Not from Leon. From something else. She'd never read the (excellent) book or seen the (crap) film, and I didn't shout at all. Still, she squeaked in fear and ran away. "Would you like a balloon, Georgie? They float. They *all* float. *Everything* floats down here ... "
Haven't you watched the part when she tries to make him drink milk in order to remain hydrated for sex? And also she said she wants to be her first sexual experience good. And you guys are still pretending like it's a father daughter relation. How ignorant!
@@wokegirl4838 She's a confused young girl taught wrong values, it's literally a part of the movie. It would be one thing if Leon was reciprocating those feelings but he WASN'T, he seemed just as mortified and disturbed about a 12-year-old girl coming on sexually as any viewer would. Yes, it's uncomfortable at times but nothing actually happens between them
@@JayDonagh The reason he was not committing anything is because of past experience with his girlfriend. He literally explained this to her and said he won't be able to be a good boyfriend for her because his past. There is no indication of it being the age.
I think Leon's character had feelings awoken in him that he had not felt for a very long time. It was love, but not of sexual kind. It was more of a protective love towards innocence that was in need of safety. A safety he himself was never offered as a child. So in a way, by protecting Matilda and giving her a father figure, he was also trying to protect his younger self.
CallmeAffiliated It has been claimed that Besson has written the script for a sequel, which director Olivier Megaton was to direct and in which Portman would reprise the Mathilda role. Filming was to be delayed until Portman was a bit older. However, in the meantime, Besson left Gaumont Film Company to start his own movie studio, EuropaCorp. Unhappy at Besson's departure, Gaumont Film Company "has held The Professional rights close to the vest - and will not budge". According to Megaton, the sequel will more than likely never happen .
Watch the Hongkong movie "So Close". It's kind of a ripoff of Leon with an assassin girl and her younger sister. But it doesn't end when the older sister dies, the other girl steps into her shoes and gets revenge.
Another thing you didn’t know... That old guy sitting in the corner at the Supreme Macaroni restaurant, where Leon gets his jobs, he sat in that exact spot in real life.
I loved the scene where she sais to him "I already grew up; I'm only getting older." To which Leon responds: "Well, for me, it is the opposite; I am old enough, but I need time to grow up." That was priceless. It shows they clearly love each other, but that they cannot yet be involved because Leon needs to grow up. Yes, Leon. Of them two, Mathilda was the older one mentally. His mental age, maybe because of all the trauma he went through, was that of a child. She needed to grow up too fast, because of her living conditions, and then because of the tragedy that happened to her in the movie, but Leon always had a care taker who threated him like a child (even with his money), so he never got the chance to properly surpass his obvious mental handicap. But Mathilda threats him like the adult he should be, and it destabilises him, but he also likes it. He finally found a person who loves him for what he is, who trusts him with her own life, who admires him in spite of his handicap, who doesn't judge him of anything, and who takes care of him because she loves him, not because he gives her benefits on his pay. The fact that he is always so edgy in the movie only translates the love he has for her. And he truely believes she is 18 when she tells him that, becaue again, he is still a child in his mind; he doesn't know how to measure time, society, people in general... but he understands love and genuine, innocent emotions (remember the scene when he goes to the movies). Mathilda and Leon were meant to be together, no matter what people think, no matter what society says; Leon simply needed time to grow up, and Mathilda to get older. Beautiful tragedy, beautiful cast (the duo Reno/Portman works incredibly well), exceptional direction... too bad society is not ready for it. The Human Condition is rarely in line with the rules, because of its complexity; it is easy to judge, but so hard to understand. This movie understood it perfectly, in all its innocence, in all its naivety, in all its impuliveness, in all its guilt, in all its morality. But more importantly: in all its duality.
The finale exterior explosion was shot in Washington Heights in NYC, on the Southeast corner of Broadway and West. 159th St. The Apple Bank seen in the background when Leon is shot in the back and falls is still there, as is the building, 3810 Broadway.
Great film by Gary Oldman (best villian) , Jan Reno (innocent. but a pro hit man, Natilie Portman (also innocent, but grows up fast, and you had to love Danny Aiello's pub/safe bank). I'm American and had no complaints. Once again, a great film.
+Tony Montana Same here. I'm a proud American and I prefer the blu ray's International Cut or European Cut as its known. The extra "training/cleaning" sequence help to flesh out the characters & give it a less studio influenced pacing. Plus of course, it has the full 'date' sequence at the nice, posh Manhattan restaurant and the talking of Leon's past lover in Italy in the old country, as well. I mean the North American cut released here was fine enough in some ways, but its only a 75% taste of the cinematic underrated greatness that is Leon: The Professional. Many great points, indeed.
+Andy Parsons NO, we need a Sequel...in which some one makes the mistake of hurting an 'innocent' friend of Adult Matilda... and she goes into training mode to shake the rust off... and proceeds to Revenge the hell out of them
Kind of was- 'Colombiana'. Not an actual sequel, but the director pretty much made the connections obvious. You haven't heard of it? Yeah, there's a reason for that...
+Shawn Wilson watched it. Had no idea it was connected to this film since it takes place in different locations with different characters and slightly different plot.
+Shawn Wilson Colombina is an actual sequel to Leon. Besson did write it as a sequel, but Portman didn't want to return (cos she felt she was too big a star). When Portman refused to come back, Besson just slightly altered it.
"I DONT HAVE TIIIIMMME.... FOR THIS MICKEY MOUSE BULLSHIT!"..... Gary Oldman is my favorite movie villain of all time. And I mean every movie villain he has ever played! True Romance, Fifth Element. "I tell you what I do like though... a killer... a dyed in the wool killer... cold blooded, clean, methodical and thorough... now a real killer when he picked up the ZF-1 would have immediately asked about the little red button on the bottom of the gun!"
Oldmans Stansfield is up there with one of the best movie villains of all time. I actually wish we got more with him, he was so insane and captivating.
I love this film. It's one of those strange, subdued, deadly films that you initially watch because it's all that's on. Then you find yourself thinking about the damn thing so often, you have to go and buy a DVD. Then, three months later Blu-ray becomes a thing so you have to wait and buy it again.
Just fuck it and run because if you know these young woman you are fucking and they can find out where you live then you are going down. Society just won't understand your love and enjoyment of underage flesh. Unless you are a 70's rock pop star and wear make up and go under the name Ziggy Star Dust or are the guitarist for Led Zeppelin or the Stones.
When I saw this in the theater, I knew nothing about it. I just went to see it because G.O. was in it. After the movie, I went to the ticket booth and bought another for the next showtime. It's been in my top ten all time greatest since. A true classic.
I just re-watched this last night. First time seeing the extended cut. Much better than the theatrical release! One thing I noticed for the first time. When Mathilda tells the clerk she and Leon are "lovers", he comes to kick them out. Remember Mathilda filled out the registration form when they first arrived there? The clerk addresses Leon as "Mr. MacGuffin', which made me laugh. (Wiki MacGuffin if you don't recognize it.)
It's hilarious to see that so many people here don't seem to have any problem with him being a killer and teaching her how to do it as well, but the pseudo love story is such a problem for them. Some people are way too prudes (￣ლ￣๑)
I didn't find it creepy till I read the original script, which actually has a sex scene between Leon and Mathilda in it. Puked right there and then. That shit ain't cool.
This movie was freaking awesome! But I have to admit I was a bit down under when it came to the love story between Matilda and Leon ... idk Probably just me
its not just you. the premise of the movie was interesting until it became about a 12 year old girl wanting to fuck a middle aged man and his struggle with the urge to do so.
Same. Though I guess American or Western sensibilities are different from the filmmakers and country its from. Thats not an excuse or meant to insult the Europeons but well........nobody seemed to care that 32 year old Besson was porking a teenager and Roman Polanski is defended over him drugging and taking some 13 year olds black cherry. Different cultures I guess.
Button Man That is true, it does happen. Especially, in Japan where they fully acknowledge it because of the age of consent being 13 in many parts over there.
A film is actually made by hundreds of people and often when a director finds crew (especially a cinematographer or editor) they like they keep them and everyone then starts to associate the crews genius for the directors. Many talented people on set.
The potted plant is the most underrated actor in the film
Tropical Magic That potted pland had 2 most badass trunkguards on the planet.
thank you!
Tropical Magic - Wats it that plant for?
It's a Fern.
Gavin Rixten. The plant at 2:32 is either an aglaonema or a calathea. There might be a fern somewhere in the movie, however not at this point 🍃🧐😊
Honestly, as creepy as the vibe was between Matilda and Leon, I always viewed it as Leon just wanting a friend and Matilda having a confused tween crush on him, but with it ending as a strange sort of surrogate father-daughter relationship.
Max D. -that about covers it. Well said
I think you're seeing what you want to see because you're uncomfortable with the true nature of their relationship, which has been horribly romanticized. Leon and Matilda are creepy, because it was paedophilic. This film is a pedo's fantasy; made for paedophiles by a paedophile.
Leon acted like a kid himself sometimes, which led me to believe that he was mentally in the same age range as Matilda
No it isn't, it makes Leon very uncomfortable because it is nothing he wants. She has a first crush with a father figure she looks up to, is quite damaged from the lack of love in her own family, has no friends etc.. and she is quite impulsive, almost kills herself at on point, not thinking clear at all.
Leon never had a proper childhood himself, this is part the reason he is the way he is.
I love this movie but always looked at it as a crush a young girl had on an much older guy. He never acted that way toward her and seemed uncomfortable when she was acting attracted to him. He cared about her because she loved him when everyone else treated him like an object. Nothing controversial here in my mind.
I envy you.
Exactly! I always saw her crush as the love you feel for your folks, but, because he is not actually related to her, it becomes confused in her young, naive mind. You can clearly see she admires him, most of all, because he cared and provided for her when she was alone and threatened. Much like a father figure would do.
ha ha daddy issues anyone...
It's only controversial to those who think that way. They cannot fathom that relationship because they themselves cannot maintain their self control.
@@InobuZ preach
The reaction Gary Oldman does when he takes those pills, creeps me out EVERY TIME!!
Yeah, and now I have to go see the clip of him saying "EVVVVERRRYYYONNNNNE!"
I liked his voice in the role he had in "True Romance," too. Creepy and unpredictable.
The sound was so exaggerated that I thought he did it too hard and broke his neck XD
It's called overacting
Potential dead rising boss or horror/thriller movie and games...just saying
I fucking ❤ that part. U know he's getting ready to something sinister.
am I the only one who loves their relationship.
I mean not sexually but more like platonic.
Mathilda has never been really loved by her family. She has never experienced how it feels like when someone actually cares for u. And Leon was more than half of his life lonely. He didn't really have a friend.
I hope I am not the only one.
Yes many of us are drawn to make bonds with people and sometimes these relationships cross over into relationships society doesn't accept. So is life. Try to put life in a box and blanket it in rules and life will just shit in your face and tell you to fuck off! Society laws are of no value to a dog and they are of no value to any of us. Anything written is shit and peoples laws are hypocritical crap.
The relationship is strictly platonic sir, he was a father figure to her and a friend. He slept in the same bed as her to better protect her.
Elvis Alanbay
Youre commenting in literally every comment about their relationship? Are you that desperate for attention and validation/reactions for your sick fantasies? What a loser!
Jesse Bowman
Trying toooo hard, ''edgy'' troll... try again!
Natalie Portman, with arguably the greatest 1st movie performance ever.....
All downhill from there
Long Lost........Mmmm, yes Natalie Portman's film debut is absolutely extraordinary. But is it really better than Joe Pesci's performance as Joey La Motta in 'Raging Bull'?
@@thesoultwins72 yes....... it is........
@@longlost8424 .....Are you serious? Jeeez....
@@thesoultwins72 yes, just like the other 457 folks who agree with this comment.....
I think Matilda and Leon’s relationship was healthy. Yes, she had a crush on him, but she *clearly* craved a loving relationship with an adult since her parents didn’t give that to her. since Leon didn’t pursue Matilda romantically it makes the situation okay.
It doesn't matter the reason of why she had a crush.. When i was a 12 year old boy I had crushes on hot adult girls... I always thought that that was normal...sort of come of age process. I suddenly realize that young teenagers are forbidden on having crushes on adults according to modern standards.
@@mikejunior211 no it's the adults reciprocating the crush towards a minor that is pedophilia. A teen or preteen having a crush on someone older is normal. An adult wanting to have sex with a kid is not.
@@Tinmann_77 I get that. I was just commenting on the hypocrites who said it was gross the Matilda crush on Leon in the movie. Leon did not reciprocated. Other than that I agree with you, except that when I was 12 years old I wish I had one of those teachers reciprocated on my crush...It would have been AMAZING!
@dafuqawew bold of you to assume I’m a girl. Especially when I’m in fact not a girl.
It's not the relationship that's the problem. It's the depiction of Matilda that's the problem. She may have had an innocent crush on him but the film portrays her in a sexual way which is kinda creepy.
Eh... Luc Besson may be a creep, but I don't think Leon and Matilda really had that kind of relationship. She had a crush on him and he didn't know what to do with himself. I don't think he actually wanted her to have a crush on him, but he did like her company.
I agree, he was a friend and father figure to her and had not a single "other" feeling for her other than platonic. He was a cleaner not a ped.
tSp289
john chaney ?
Ohh don't kid yourself. He fucked her when the camera's weren't filming. She was aggressive and willing and he had nothing to lose. But if he was man enough to tell her no and stick to his guns then I admire that man. I don't think I would have the same reserve. If the eyes of the world weren't upon me I think I would ravage the entire word without any feelings of guilt or remorse. Man, Woman, Child, or animals would not be safe from my animal lusts. Zeus and the other God's don't have shit on my sexual desires. :)
+Jesse Bowman you've seriously tried to get a rise outta pretty much everyones comment...you really that lonely and craving virtual human contact ?
Gary Oldman's character was priceless. Always found it so funny how he was able to scare the crap out of his own thugs no matter how big and tough they were.
It was over acting at it's worst.
@@daledillard3281 your no fun
apparently he was just having fun when he did the EVERYONEEEE line and it kinda took everyone aback but was kept
same hahaha, it was so funny seeing them flinch when they are so gymbro looking
Fun Fact: In the game series Resident Evil the character Leon S. Kenedy can receive a weapon named "Matilda" in almost every game that stars Leon as a character playable character in reference to the movie.
Saito Hiraga not to mention in resident evil 4, the hardest difficulty is Professional...
dirty russian game
Thanks for that. I never knew it.
It´s simply awesome .. !
@@metalxcorereviews6842 You should play a game called Russian Roulette.
Sequel idea. Matilda: The professional. Natalie Portman is at a good age to play that character.
Holy shit... just call it "Matilda".
It really should happen.
Ryan Yeats , sadly, this will only happen in our dreams. :(
@@Hozay1228: It will only be well done, with Natalie, in our dreams.
Maybe that's good enough.
Actually Columbia should be a sequel to Leon.
5:00 I don't think that the old lady was Woody Allen's biology teacher, I think she WAS Woody Allen.
They do look alike
It's a shame she passed right before the movie came out.
Woody would by Banging Matilda, that’s a whole different story?
Foreal! 😆
Everyone loves this movie...
EEEEVVVVERRRRYOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!
ALszaro except for Ebert, he trashed this film.
Cocaine is hell of a drug
could not help but read that in his voice....
I see what you did there ..... brilliant
Tell them...we we're doing...our job...
So Woody Allen grew up to look exactly like his female biography teacher? Tragic!
*biology
John Doe Hehe.
I thought the same thing. I thought he was going to say she was his mother.
+frogsoda Same! They even have the same nose!
I thought that old lady was the Wendy's "Where's The Beef" woman.
I just want to share a moment. When I saw Leon for the first time way, waaay back when...my girlfiend at the time fell asleep. I watched a story that touched me very deeply - to the point that many years later (married to the same girl) my first daughters name is Matilda. My wife has no idea why.
Wow......
WAAAY COOL! 👍
Man thats cool, congratulations.
i am going to name my next cat matilda, and if i get two, princess leia.
@@brd5108 and if you get 3, Padme
I did not think too much about the Leon / Mathilda relationship because it was all on her end (the creepy parts, I mean). Leon was not into her, and treated her more like a daughter or something.
The fact this was based on Luc Besson's girlfriend actually makes it creepy to me, now.
bobtheduck Jean Reno made the character be mentally slow and therefore not capable of have a romantic relationship with her, you can just ignore the weird undertones
Not really, a main point and theme of the film is self-control, discipline, and choosing to not allow sexual or romantic activity until the other person is fully matured and ready mentally, emotionally, and physically for that type of relationship. Besson's girlfriend knew him since she was twelve and claimed to have fallen in love for certain at fifteen, so I am guessing she likely tried to seduce him and failed because he actually cared for her; putting her needs first even if it meant denying what she wanted because she didn't understand what she wanted. I am willing to bet that when he explained that to her, it was that moment she realized what she felt could grow into real love and that the depth of his care for her wasn't like anything she understood yet so that, too, could blossom into love in time. I do not believe there is a better way to test the character of someone you are interested in.
Bran Phillips Well, in that case I don't find it creepy anymore. Also, if Luc Besson left her before she became an adult and chose another 12 year old child, then he definitely would have been a pedo. I guess he actually felt in love with her.
I’m not going to say the “relationship” the original film tried to portray is “ok” by American standards (or anywhere else for that matter) BUT toward the end of the film you can’t say that Leon didn’t understand just what “I love you” meant to Matilda. When they had to part ways, Leon knew Matilda’s feelings, accepted them, and wanted a future together. Now, I’m not saying that IF they had made it alive then and there that they would be in a romantic relationship. However, it doesn’t mean that Leon and Matilda ‘s relationship wouldn’t develop once Matilda grew up into a full-grown adult. The age difference, whether we like it or not, would no longer matter after Matilda turned 18. The gap is there but if it’s two adults then it’s not creepy. Now, if Leon (or anyone for that matter) would to have developed the relationship romantically while Matilda was still a minor then it would be wrong. Is it creepy? Eh, only if one is still a minor and the other a full grown adult. I’ve seen people close to me who are 8 to 10 years apart from their spouses but they all got married between 18 through age 30. Some got married in their teens but with other teens not 30 -year olds 🤷🏻♀️
For normal people it’s clearly a father daughter relationship for Leon.
No women, no kids, thats the rules
Tony Montana when he sees woody Allen giving a creepy smile from across the room
That's actually a good mantra for general life...I don't know too many happily married men with children.
Ever heard about a thing called emancipation?!
@@CorneliusSchwarzenstein No, what do they play? I'll look them up
@@vinuk1726 🤔
I always thought that there would be another movie about Matilda. That she would continue being a cleaner like Leon, but even better.
The writer decided not to since he wanted it to be as good or better than the first.
I thought that as well.
Considering the psychological toll this move took on Natalie who knows if she would even agreed, is in an interview.
Gary Oldman always plays awesome villains ☺
Every time.
("What do you mean, ever--")
_EVERY_ TIME!!!
His best villain was Churchill
He really does have that edge... I do not like his take on commissioner Gordon a good guy in Batman Dark Night series.. some of the worst writing for Oldman.
Thats right... Especially as Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from 5th element
Oldman is. SUPERB actor!
Shape of my heart by Sting was perfect in this movie
He, Kenny Loggins & Madonna did a lot of film scores, sound track songs 🎤🎶🎧
Also that Björk song. But I'm Icelandic so I may be biased lol
No, Björk's song was the one to give this movie a perfect early 90s vibe. Loved it.
It is just a damn good movie. And yes the plant deserves more respect.😉
I have such fond memories watching this when I was a little girl lol My oldest brother had it and every day i come home from school eat, do my homework and watch 15 mins of it with him in his room on his VCR than I would have to get ready for bed and than do the same thing the next day. It was how my brother and I bonded than one day he moved and I never finished the movie because he than later died.... years ..many years later I finally finished it. This movie means so much to me.
+lor b awww this so touching :) so sorry for your loss but i love how certain moives can mean so much to us
23DEATHNUMBER thankyou. Yeah he was my favorite brother, my other brother would pick on me all the time, but this brother .. he was the best but yeah some things just have so much meaning to us for certain reasons
+lor b Please tell me you grew up to be a bad-ass assassin!
And, definitely sorry for your loss.
+lor b Damn... That's some powerful stuff.
Geahk Burchill bahaha i wish :)
Amazing movie, the world needs more Jean Reno
ikr
He was gonna be the milk farmer in inglourious basterds which would've been awesome
That's for sure!
Yeah, he has that Ed Harris quality of being able to be in shitty productions while still being good in them (See: Onimusha 3, also see: Beat Takeshi in Battle Royale. I know a lot of you fanboys slobber all over it, but it wasn't THAT great a movie).
I agree.
Leon / "The Professional" is one of the greatest movies ever made.
I agree and many more agree (it is 41 in the IMdB all time ranking) ... And yet it got 0 Oscar nominations and 0 golden globe nominations ... ??
I've seen evil characters like Dr Lecter and Freddy but Stansfield still rates as one of the creepiest baddies on film. It's Gary Oldman at his best. He truly unnerved me because Stansfield came across as a pure psychopath who seemed to take pleasure in murdering or inflicting hell on others. The bathroom scene (where he found out Matilda had a "special delivery" for him) was just creepy and made the hairs on my neck stand up. Gary Oldman wasn't acting. It felt like he became Stansfield. That's why this movie was so creepy but it still is one of Besson's best films.
EEEVERRYONE!
Well said.. Oldman is one of the most underrated actors of all time , imo.. Been a huge fan since fist seeing him in State of Grace., but Stansfield is probably one of his best characters in terms of violence and being a total psycho. Since then his Career has certainly taken off, but he is just way underrated . He truly transforms into the character so completely . He seems very busy right now, working on like 4 diff projects .
he was a psycho a drugged up psycho that's why he was so messed up and yes he admits that he likes killing people but only people who are afraid to die.
That is what he claims, but in the end its obviously bullshit, because he shoots Leon in the back..nothing more cowardly than that, and yes he even gets his ass handed to him in an Epic Way.
Point is Leon was never afraid to die, not even close, so technically he did not fit into his patters
. And dont get me wrong, I am one of the biggest G Oldman fans out there, im speaking strictly about the nasty character he plays here of course,, just absolutely brilliant.. in the end we find out what a coward Stansfield actually is.. he only puts on an Aura of being a tough guy with all this respect from his fellow crooked cops ,, street smart yes, Psychpath, yes.. but just a coward in the end.
+Jeff from Jersey it wasn't that he was afraid of leon.the way i see it is stansfield knew he couldnt take on leon one on one so he took advantage and shot him in the back.so stansfield wasnt taking any chances.
They should of mentioned that the guy who played Benny in the movie actually in real life ended up a New York City fireman and died saving lives in the World Trade Center on 9-11
I literally came to these comments to say the same thing. His name was Keith A. Glascoe. Apparently a street was named after him in the aftermath of the attacks. Such an important but ultimately tragic piece of movie trivia.
Holy shit never knew Rip!
Wow I did not know this,, RIP and what a Hero 😰❤️
i liked that charictor and what a great thing to remember him for .r.i.p.
And Benny was the only "bad guy" in the film to not die.
Reno teared up when he got the script, then he said "I'm already ready" as they prepared for a threesome.
For some reason that's the most French thing I've ever heard of.
They really had a threesome?
No.
@@dovahkiin5773
You haven't?
@@DarkMatterX1 sadly no
they cut it out, but its on the collectors DVD ;D (maybe idk)
Natalie Portman's parents really managed her career well
you are making a joke ?
mungox1 no?
This movie is amazing but I’m wondering if it was the right move, because this film affected psychologically Natalie Portman, she talks about it in a interview, about how she was so sexualized after this movie that it changed her perception about herself, and influenced the roles she accepted and how she conducted and behaved herself, it is an amazing movie, but Natalie can’t stand it and it’s kinda sad.
@@boniboni4912 thought kids need some sort of counselling for this type of role
Fun Fact I saw the Phantom Menace in a Theater in Syosset NY (Now closed was one of the last big screen theaters on Long Island at the time) and Natalie was there she was pretty incognito but my wife recognized her after the movie in the theater bathroom.
This is one of the best Films ever!
Agreed!
+JediMedi Indeed.
+JediMedi totally agree
Great film
yeah its the best flim
Leon portrayed a kind of "innocence" at times for someone who was a deadly hitman! Loved the movie.
When people ask me what my favorite film is, I say Leon. And I am a film buff. It is not my favorite at any particular thing, but it is so well rounded, it is hard to beat. It is edgy, it has heart, it has great characters, great villain, good action, great acting (Portman's best!)pop corn-ish just enough, artsy just enough.
It is not my favorite in any given genre, but if I had to pick one film overall, it is this one.
+Christian Jadot Whoa, I'm a fellow Cinemaphile (with Asperger's Syndrome) myself, and whoa, you totally nailed. While I know that there are more "deeper" or several percentage more "better made in some respects" films, I tend to have this in my proverbial _"Top Ten List of Favorite Films"_ of my own personal tastes of all time simply because, for the several reasons you noted, the International or _European Cut_, is simply oh so well rounded, to be sure indeed. Perfectly put for your reasons of note as well, to be sure.
+Christian Jadot
I'd choose Das Boot, the full 5-hour version in German.
Have tissues handy.
I also wanted to say to the top poster that this is also my favorite Portman performance overall as well, too. To me it was actually all down hill from here; many don't believe me whenever I tell them but its true.
+Brandon Mr. Rockabilly She ruined herself with Star Wars (meaning acting wise), I think that gave her bad acting habits. I believe her low point was Closer, maybe it is because I can't stand that film (you can tell it was made from a stage play script), but I think she is starting to improve. She was not bad in Black Swan, but I credit Aronofsky with that. I assume she is the type of actress that needs to be directed, but that is just a guess. Still, she rocks in Leon, her and Jean Reno are just awesome. Gary Oldman is always good, so that is a given.
Same here: I am a _MASSIVE_ Original Trilogy fanatic & collector, but I despise the wooden acted, pedestrian directed, heavily under-written (especially Episodes I & II with its atrociously forced sudden 'romance dialogue' which is hands down the worst Lucas' wrote of his career, I must say). But I blame poor casting, Lucas the most, as well as an over-abundance of CGI & banal film making on the Prequel Trilogy, among other things. I mean there _WAS_ talent involved in making them, for Christ our savior's sakes (just think: Ewan McGregor; Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman plus Samuel L. Jackson among others) and they still stunk to high heaven. Proof that legendarily widescreen film maker John Carpenter is right: "Every good film starts with a good script, followed by a good script and finally not too many re-writes that writes any sort of magic OUT of a good script".
I am honestly not as into Arronoksy as others as I tend to find him a good interview & respectfully passionate but _FAR_ too much 'style over substance'. Also Requiem For a Dream is one of the first unrated blu rays I ever gave away. Its far too depressive & over all shallow & empty for such a praised flick, though I do see why some like it, it isn't for me. The Wrestler was good and Black Swan DID have its moments but over all as a modern age _"mind fuck"_ movie, I just couldn't get into it. Don't ask me how. Alas, to each their own!!! And yeah Closer where she showed ass cheeks as well as her brief nudity time with that Schwartman guy sort of got to me. As a Tennessee native I didn't mind her accent in Where the Heart Is but it was far too under-written & formulaic for me to like it as much as some of my relatives did, though.
V for Vendetta is okay but political-wise I am the polar opposite I won't lie and mostly whenever V as a character played by Hugo Weaving isn't on screen, or any other exciting chunk/set-piece (thank you Paul Thomas Anderson who's commentary track for Boogie Nights but that into my vocabulary), I do think that the film sort of dies, though.
But to be sure Leon is her "honest & most real" youthful acting where even before Anywhere But Here. Or even Beautiful Girls where in she had a bit part. I tried getting into that show about Jersey she did (_Garden State_) but ultimately it was a bit too hipster dialogue drive for me, but she did do okay. I agree with you on Closer _A LOT_ by the way. I dislike most movies made from adapted pre-existing stage play dialogue, save from the late great L.M. "Kit" Carson's fabulously adapted screenplay for 1984s best movie Paris, Texas.
Great comments as per always.
EVVVEERRRYYYYOOONNNEEE!!!
Dammit i didn't even think of that. Brilliant
+UziNineMillomeetah LOVES THIS MOOOOOVIEEEEEE
Hahahahahahahahhahha best part
Best anger line ever!
+UziNineMillomeetah hahahaha
This is HONESTLY one of my all time favorite movies!!!!!
WTF?! Why are there scenes on this clip I didn't seen in the movie? Damn American censorship! I DEMAND the uncut, unmolested version!!!
way way better version...pretty sure you'd find it on movie25 or something like...
The end was a... big blow. You might want to skip that! :D
Imre Kalman she blew him and he blew his load all over her sweet little face? Awesome alternate ending :) I need to get this extended cut video.
"And they cummed happily ever after..." :D
Actually he blew together with another guy all over a corridor!
The Blu-Ray includes both the theatrical and the extended version. The DVD has only the theatrical version.
This film was purely thrilling and unique. Mathilda and Leon's relationship wasn't creepy, you have to get past the stigma others say of pedophilia in this movie to figure out it was about two broken souls who were eachothers reason to live again.
Jasmine Chapman we may also just assume that while the love Mathilda had for Leon wasn't platonic. Leon had found like a father figure in himself for Matilda.
tapirtoon EVEN BETTER. Didnt know this, thank you. Also, to appeal to the PC and sensitive audience it has to be watered down, sad it didnt make the movie.
Jasmine Chapman But that wasn't pedophilia after all. Didn't you know that Natalie Portman's character for the film was obviously a teleiophile instead?
You are deeeeeeep. All I see was 🔫 and 💥.
Never once did I see anything creepy about it. That's shit comes from perverted people with perverted ways of thinking.
I was extremely confused when I watched the Director‘s cut for the first time since it was almost 100% identical with the version I saw dozens of times (International version). Only difference was the license scene. If I remember correctly, the International version had always been shown on German tv. I was shocked once I saw the Cinema version for the US. They did cut so many scenes, almost 23 min in total!
Why were those scenes removed anyway? I can’t see a sexual relationship between the main characters. It‘s just Mathilda implying stuff that is too much for Leon to handle. She’s asking for the only kind of love she’s heard of (since she never received her families love) from someone who completely shut himself off of any feelings. Those scenes give both characters even more depth, imo.
Why were those scenes removed anyway? Because Anglo-Saxons are too prude and lack intelligence to appreciate a nuanced relationship like this one...
@@benjamindeharo314 Or cause Luc Besson is a nonce
American Puritans. Enuf said
Ohh now I see what is going on. I just didn't know what were those scenes in the video I never saw before. I always watched the Netflix version, didn't know in reality it was cut.
One of my all-time favorites. Natalie Portman was excellent----Jean Reno was very good---But ohhhhhhh my, did This film get stolen --at least in performance!!--by Gary Oldman! I had seen him in " True Romance " & " Sid & Nancy", & was just overwhelmed by his brilliance. And, his best line : " EVERYOOOOOOOOONE ! " -------------Wolfsky9
And he is stuck with supporting role most of the time (or hardly recognizable like in Dracula) but he is definitely one of the greatest.
There was nothing between Leon and Matilda. He even chokes on his milk when she says she's in love with him.
they fucked. they didn't show it but its implied. They didnt show their births but its implied they were born. DUH get to the fuckin choppa your brain is in there
Jim Bones I've seen the film about 10 times. At what point is it implied that they slept together???
Leon is a father figure to her. He raises her better than her own parents. Now if YOU think that they fucked, you're a sicko.
I've seen it 25 times. Everything about it implies it. Just cause you don't see your parents fuck doesn't mean they didn't.
Jim Bones Elaborate. I just think you're a fucking weirdo, because you've not put forward any scene where it's 'implied'.
You don't understand Leon at all if you think he's a paedophile lol.
5? No... 2 + 2 = 4-play between Matilda and Leon. Even some jerk on another Professional video was trying to convince people that Leons love was like a father's love for his daughter. WTF? It should be called Leon the Peadophile, but The Professional sounds better. Anyone who says there was nothing between them is just trying to hide their guilt for liking little girls.
I never really saw the sexual aspect of the story.
I always just saw it as an amazingly cool movie.👍
That's because unless you lived in France, the cinematic release was heavily edited, in the UK and the US.
kebabtank
Lol... amusing.
I own the extended directors cut on Blu ray.
And the film is shot in English.
Not sure what you think I missed...
But every frame shot is on my version.👍💪
Jean Reno is a badass in everything he does.
Even in "French Kiss"
Very underrated film, which was one to remember.
Everyone i knew loved this movie
HUGE Jean Reno fan after seeing him as The Cleaner in Nikita.
This film did not weird me out. I know a lot of people objected to the age difference. The way the movie was written, it did not creep me out at all.
Huge move for Portman. Huge. Kudos to her parents for seeing the script as it was intended.
"This . . .is . . .from . . .MA - TIL - DA"
Greatest movie death ever!!!
"Ohhh... Shit!"
@@MrSealytube yes!
I read that just like he says it, with the accent and everything lol
"BOOOOOMMMMM....."
Leon shouldn't have a sequel. I like to think that Mathilda goes on to find a happy and normal life. If she continues in the steps of an assassin, she'd be more or less confined to the same fate as Leon, not death, but isolation, loneliness. Being an assassin with a family is something an enemy can easily prey on, a weakness in that business. Her brief time with Leon has shown her what it's like to be loved and cared for. So it only makes sense that she goes on growing from that experience, instead of regressing into a reclusive, cold assassin.
www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/30/wait-what-colombiana-started-as-a-sequel-to-leon-the-professional
the ICEMAN ?
One of my favorite movies, used to watch it with my dad a lot, God rest his soul.
Turned me into a stone Jean Reno fan. Loved him in "Ronin" too.
i watched the movie on cable when i was 12 and i had a big crush on Natalie
+Mahmod Mokhtar Same here!
+Mahmod Mokhtar Me too!
We still have a big crush on Nathalie
+Mahmod Mokhtar I was negative six when this came out, and now that I think about it, that means that Natalie Portman is only twelve years older than me.
+Cinema Knight I suddenly forgot how to math
One of the best Hitman movies ever!!! Leon was like Batman with guns.....he only died because of Matilda
Leon is an iconic character, one of the best hitman in a big screen
If you haven't seen him as "Victor" in "La Femme Nikita" you should.
Yes good movie.. nothing comes close to this.
They cut out so many scenes in the movie on Netflix
+Eyerish .B That's standard for this film when it airs outside Europe. People get *incredibly* squidgy over the relationship with Matilda without taking the time to understand what it means in the narrative of the film.
+Eyerish .B Blu-rays are a thing dude :) Just get the directors cut.
Lol I wanted to make sure I liked it before I bought it.
Eyerish .B How could you not like it? It's great, trust me ;)
Well I know that now
My father was a small arms instructor in the Marine Corps. Both my sisters and I learned how to handle firearms safely by age 8.
I taught my son when he was a bit older. He taught his sisters when they were in their teens.
This grandma wishes more parents taught their children firearm safety, or like Natalie Portman's folks, gave her lessons with a pro.
I am forever grateful to my dad for teaching me so many useful and important life lessons.
I guess that’s the american way of handling it.
We really don’t have that amount of firearms at home here in Europe.
Did you knew that more than 1.5 million citizens have been murdered since Mark Chapman shot John Lennon?
Woody Allen based his look on his High School Biology teacher?!
nope they are both jews and that's just how all jews look. You can spot a jew a mile away if it looks like Woody Allen.
Jesse Bowman anti semitic dick
oh shit, hahahaha
@@donvandamnjohnsonlongfella1239 i just saw you saying something about fucking children. obvious troll is obvious.
Once I scared a freshman at my old high school because I was doing an impression of Stansfield when he asked me about who needed to be at the bus
+speebyda Norman Stansfield is Gary Oldman's character in _Leon: the Proffesional_
+Vlad Kleshnev EEVVVEEEEERRRRRYYYOOOOONNNNEEE
speebyda It's okay. It could have happened to AANNNNNNYYYYYYYOOONNNE!
Lemme guess, you shouted "EVERYONE"?
+Deebo Molina
I scared a girl at university with an impression once. Not from Leon. From something else. She'd never read the (excellent) book or seen the (crap) film, and I didn't shout at all. Still, she squeaked in fear and ran away.
"Would you like a balloon, Georgie? They float. They *all* float. *Everything* floats down here ... "
Truth be told I didn't really see anything sexual about their relationship, the vibe felt more like a dad-daughter type of thing.
Nope, Mathilda did feel something else for Leon. Leon didn't share the same feelings, thankfully.
@@rollothewalker5535 Yeah I noticed that. But from an outsiders view it did look more like a dad-daughter thing
Haven't you watched the part when she tries to make him drink milk in order to remain hydrated for sex? And also she said she wants to be her first sexual experience good. And you guys are still pretending like it's a father daughter relation. How ignorant!
@@wokegirl4838 She's a confused young girl taught wrong values, it's literally a part of the movie. It would be one thing if Leon was reciprocating those feelings but he WASN'T, he seemed just as mortified and disturbed about a 12-year-old girl coming on sexually as any viewer would. Yes, it's uncomfortable at times but nothing actually happens between them
@@JayDonagh The reason he was not committing anything is because of past experience with his girlfriend. He literally explained this to her and said he won't be able to be a good boyfriend for her because his past. There is no indication of it being the age.
I think Leon's character had feelings awoken in him that he had not felt for a very long time. It was love, but not of sexual kind. It was more of a protective love towards innocence that was in need of safety. A safety he himself was never offered as a child. So in a way, by protecting Matilda and giving her a father figure, he was also trying to protect his younger self.
a sequel would be amazing now with Portman as the assassin
was gunna happen but blokie kept the rights and whatnot when they formed the new company, so wont happen now
CallmeAffiliated It has been claimed that Besson has written the script for a sequel, which director Olivier Megaton was to direct and in which Portman would reprise the Mathilda role. Filming was to be delayed until Portman was a bit older. However, in the meantime, Besson left Gaumont Film Company to start his own movie studio, EuropaCorp. Unhappy at Besson's departure, Gaumont Film Company "has held The Professional rights close to the vest - and will not budge". According to Megaton, the sequel will more than likely never happen .
So no one can re-write a sequel or pre-quel? UN believable. it needs to happen!!
Watch the Hongkong movie "So Close". It's kind of a ripoff of Leon with an assassin girl and her younger sister. But it doesn't end when the older sister dies, the other girl steps into her shoes and gets revenge.
David Aguilar the original le femme Nikita would be that movie
Another thing you didn’t know... That old guy sitting in the corner at the Supreme Macaroni restaurant, where Leon gets his jobs, he sat in that exact spot in real life.
Tears me up every single time he delivers that gift from Matilda...
I loved the scene where she sais to him "I already grew up; I'm only getting older." To which Leon responds: "Well, for me, it is the opposite; I am old enough, but I need time to grow up." That was priceless. It shows they clearly love each other, but that they cannot yet be involved because Leon needs to grow up. Yes, Leon. Of them two, Mathilda was the older one mentally. His mental age, maybe because of all the trauma he went through, was that of a child. She needed to grow up too fast, because of her living conditions, and then because of the tragedy that happened to her in the movie, but Leon always had a care taker who threated him like a child (even with his money), so he never got the chance to properly surpass his obvious mental handicap. But Mathilda threats him like the adult he should be, and it destabilises him, but he also likes it. He finally found a person who loves him for what he is, who trusts him with her own life, who admires him in spite of his handicap, who doesn't judge him of anything, and who takes care of him because she loves him, not because he gives her benefits on his pay. The fact that he is always so edgy in the movie only translates the love he has for her. And he truely believes she is 18 when she tells him that, becaue again, he is still a child in his mind; he doesn't know how to measure time, society, people in general... but he understands love and genuine, innocent emotions (remember the scene when he goes to the movies). Mathilda and Leon were meant to be together, no matter what people think, no matter what society says; Leon simply needed time to grow up, and Mathilda to get older. Beautiful tragedy, beautiful cast (the duo Reno/Portman works incredibly well), exceptional direction... too bad society is not ready for it. The Human Condition is rarely in line with the rules, because of its complexity; it is easy to judge, but so hard to understand. This movie understood it perfectly, in all its innocence, in all its naivety, in all its impuliveness, in all its guilt, in all its morality. But more importantly: in all its duality.
I love how u have beautifully explained what should be seen to fans, thank u
@@Deep_Dish Thank you, I appreciate it.
👍👍
Underrated comment, well done!
Who likes this film? Everyone...
+Bugsy McCoy I think you mean: "E-VERY-ONE!!"
+Bugsy McCoy EVERYONE!!!!
+CrashJakFan1994 I understood that reference
+Bugsy McCoy I mean, I didn't really :/
Everyone?
that old lady looks like Woody Allen, thought you were going to say it was his mom
Dorohedoro I like your profile picture
I believe she also played one of his teachers in the school flashback scene in "Annie Hall."
I thought you were going to say it was Woody Allen
The finale exterior explosion was shot in Washington Heights in NYC, on the Southeast corner of Broadway and West. 159th St. The Apple Bank seen in the background when Leon is shot in the back and falls is still there, as is the building, 3810 Broadway.
Great film by Gary Oldman (best villian) , Jan Reno (innocent. but a pro hit man, Natilie Portman (also innocent, but grows up fast, and you had to love Danny Aiello's pub/safe bank). I'm American and had no complaints. Once again, a great film.
+Tony Montana Same here. I'm a proud American and I prefer the blu ray's International Cut or European Cut as its known. The extra "training/cleaning" sequence help to flesh out the characters & give it a less studio influenced pacing. Plus of course, it has the full 'date' sequence at the nice, posh Manhattan restaurant and the talking of Leon's past lover in Italy in the old country, as well. I mean the North American cut released here was fine enough in some ways, but its only a 75% taste of the cinematic underrated greatness that is Leon: The Professional. Many great points, indeed.
I love this film... I don't think of it as controversial at all.
the most adorable hitman in history. RIP Leon
How was there never a sequel with her as the assassin?
+Andy Parsons NO, we need a Sequel...in which some one makes the mistake of hurting an 'innocent' friend of Adult Matilda... and she goes into training mode to shake the rust off... and proceeds to Revenge the hell out of them
Kind of was- 'Colombiana'. Not an actual sequel, but the director pretty much made the connections obvious. You haven't heard of it? Yeah, there's a reason for that...
+Shawn Wilson watched it. Had no idea it was connected to this film since it takes place in different locations with different characters and slightly different plot.
+Shawn Wilson Colombina is an actual sequel to Leon. Besson did write it as a sequel, but Portman didn't want to return (cos she felt she was too big a star). When Portman refused to come back, Besson just slightly altered it.
+Tim Janssen I actually meant that Tim not a remake.
Still waiting for Mathilda: The Professional...
I do the same thing Gary Oldman does whenever I take my vitamins. 😂😂😂
I do that face when I take tri sodium sulphate. the worst shit you will ever taste.
So.... where can we get those vitamins that you take? Just wondering of course....
Fuck hahahahha
I do that when a take an aspro for a headache LOL
Me too whenever I have a Fisherman's Friend. I shake the little container next to my ear.
"I DONT HAVE TIIIIMMME.... FOR THIS MICKEY MOUSE BULLSHIT!"..... Gary Oldman is my favorite movie villain of all time. And I mean every movie villain he has ever played! True Romance, Fifth Element. "I tell you what I do like though... a killer... a dyed in the wool killer... cold blooded, clean, methodical and thorough... now a real killer when he picked up the ZF-1 would have immediately asked about the little red button on the bottom of the gun!"
Natalie Portman's parents aren't the "Portmans," they're the Hershlags. "Portman" is her stage name.
Oldmans Stansfield is up there with one of the best movie villains of all time. I actually wish we got more with him, he was so insane and captivating.
I love this film. It's one of those strange, subdued, deadly films that you initially watch because it's all that's on. Then you find yourself thinking about the damn thing so often, you have to go and buy a DVD. Then, three months later Blu-ray becomes a thing so you have to wait and buy it again.
Thomas Pierson
Bet you liked “Straw Dogs” with Dustin Hoffman & Susan George Sam Peckinpah Based on Siege on Trenchers Farm c1971?
Props to Portman's parents.
and to N. ,she was a GREAT actress
One of best underrated films ever made.
leon is the one of the most popular films in the world and the 90s
Underrated by whom? I'll sic Matilda on em!
Natalie Portman was 11 ? she looks the same now
maybe upsized a little
By about 2 inches and 8lbs!
Better check them gals ID's that you're going out with...
;)
Better check them gals ID's that you're going out with...
;)
Just fuck it and run because if you know these young woman you are fucking and they can find out where you live then you are going down. Society just won't understand your love and enjoyment of underage flesh. Unless you are a 70's rock pop star and wear make up and go under the name Ziggy Star Dust or are the guitarist for Led Zeppelin or the Stones.
When I saw this in the theater, I knew nothing about it. I just went to see it because G.O. was in it. After the movie, I went to the ticket booth and bought another for the next showtime. It's been in my top ten all time greatest since. A true classic.
The structured manner of Leon in his daily activities is notable.
I just re-watched this last night. First time seeing the extended cut. Much better than the theatrical release! One thing I noticed for the first time. When Mathilda tells the clerk she and Leon are "lovers", he comes to kick them out. Remember Mathilda filled out the registration form when they first arrived there? The clerk addresses Leon as "Mr. MacGuffin', which made me laugh. (Wiki MacGuffin if you don't recognize it.)
The final scene in that movie is awesome
This was a great movie. I was completely unaware that anyone found aspects of it to be creepy.
It's hilarious to see that so many people here don't seem to have any problem with him being a killer and teaching her how to do it as well, but the pseudo love story is such a problem for them.
Some people are way too prudes (￣ლ￣๑)
I didn't find it creepy till I read the original script, which actually has a sex scene between Leon and Mathilda in it. Puked right there and then. That shit ain't cool.
@@fierysmile2929 holy shit are you fr
Yeah I’m sure that the fact she was 11 and acting waaay too grown didn’t have anything to do with it
Yeah I’m sure that the fact she was 11 and acting waaay too grown didn’t have anything to do with it
This movie was freaking awesome!
But I have to admit I was a bit down under when it came to the love story between Matilda and Leon ... idk
Probably just me
its not just you. the premise of the movie was interesting until it became about a 12 year old girl wanting to fuck a middle aged man and his struggle with the urge to do so.
Tad Ghostal yeah that was just a bit too weird
Same. Though I guess American or Western sensibilities are different from the filmmakers and country its from. Thats not an excuse or meant to insult the Europeons but well........nobody seemed to care that 32 year old Besson was porking a teenager and Roman Polanski is defended over him drugging and taking some 13 year olds black cherry.
Different cultures I guess.
Phillip Pirowkowski that makes too of us hahah I love me older women
Button Man That is true, it does happen. Especially, in Japan where they fully acknowledge it because of the age of consent being 13 in many parts over there.
To me Leon is one of the most bad-ass assassins in cinema history.
Natalie Portman and Jean Reno are so damn good in this movie!!!!!
This movie is one of my Top 10 favorite movies of all time. I'm so glad you guys did this :)
lucy and leon were made by the same guy WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK what happened to this guy holy shit
A film is actually made by hundreds of people and often when a director finds crew (especially a cinematographer or editor) they like they keep them and everyone then starts to associate the crews genius for the directors. Many talented people on set.
Absolutely loved “The Professional”// First Time I saw a “wet-wall” as an Exit ( besides “Matrix”)👍
videos like this is why i love this channel
First time I seen this movie I was crying like a little bitch at the end. The feels are real every time I see this movie ever since.
The quit smoking scene fit pretty well too.
Loved the Movie, it Deserves its place In Cinematic history.
Stansfield is easily one of the best action movie villains
+Mrsorrynovids I DON'T GOT TI-IME, FOR THIS MICKEY MOUSE BUL-SHIAT!
He beats everyone
+Mrsorrynovids It's the best anime ever, right there with cory in the house
+Mrsorrynovids *one of the best movie villains overall
+Mrsorrynovids he should've played The Joker in Batman series
I like Jean Reno. I think his best two are Leon and Wasabi. Both underrated, but both instant classics.
I watched this film many times as a kid.
one of my many favs. he was great in that role.
My most favorite film , from start to finish.
this film is a legend
Loved it, this movie totally kicks ass.
I'm glad her parents were so involved, honestly. Makes it clear they actually cared about their daughter.
I'm so happy that I spontaneously woke up at 3am and ended up seeing this movie for the first time when I was in High School.
Both Jean and Natalie are incredible in this movie, but Gary Oldman sure gives a hell of a performance.