@@terribanks8633 I’m willing to bet Steph knows him, not sure about Kristen. I’m willing to bet they don’t/didn’t recognize him so young. Portman is still recognizable as is Jean Reno.
"This guy went to Jamaica for one summer and came back different." Best reaction line EVER! On another note... that a 12 year-old could nail a role that requires that level of maturity is almost unbelievable.
Guys like that used to be very common and were praised for being so "open-minded" and atypical. Suddenly a few years ago, they started getting called "culturally appropriating" and stopped immediately.
The international version of the film is 25 minutes longer and you see more of Mathilda’s training. I highly recommend checking it out if you are looking to rewatch the film in the future.
@@ivindhimsett9803 Totally. Being from the US, the edited version wall all I knew for several years. When the extended version became available I picked it up and disappointed in the version we got as well. The international cut is indeed superior.
The International version's "training montage" was great! The other scene where "Matilda gets drunk at the restaurant" ruins it for me though. Now I'm older I prefer the cut version (same as Aliens).
Luc Besson had made the movie La Femme Nikita in 1990, where Jean Reno had a smaller role as a "cleaner". Besson couldn't let go of that cleaner character, and made the movie Leon around him, with of course Jean Reno in the role.
I remember Jean Reno's "cleaner" scene in "La Femme Nikita" but I didn't realise that he played the exact same person in both movies. Thank you for the insight!
@@tubekulose I wouldn't call them the exact same person. As you know then, they are tonally very very different. I'd say León is a fleshed out expansion of the character. The cleaner in Nikita is just a 1 dimensional psychopath.
@@Morris1581back then $100 bucks was a lot for a kid. Also Tony needs to get back on his feet and hopefully she'll get more when he's more stable and not being hounded by the DEA.
Fun fact, the movie "Colombiana" was originally written as a sequel to this and was supposed to be Mathilda as an cleaner. It was reworked to a standalone film after some "creative differences"
@unlimited971 yes, the original plan was to bring back Natalie Portman but due to creative differences, availability, etc. they rewrote it and recast it as a standalone movie.
That movie was mid and was saved by its costume design To this day I dont know if there is any director as overrated as Luc Besson, even if we ignore that he is a pedophile and both of his most well known movies are about a child who acts like an adult and an adult woman who acts like an child, they are really not that good
@@musicmaker34 it means he knows he's not in control today. It's the kind of phrase you'd expect from a guy used to killing people and never facing much danger.
You want to see more of Mathilda'a training? There is an international, kind of DIRECTOR'S CUT of the movie, where you get exactly that. Also the relation between Leon and Mathilda gets more screentime. This version has a 22 minutes longer runtime.
@@TheMiddlingGamer Yeah. It's just easier to look past in the shorter version. I find the longer version truly uncomfortable to watch sometimes if I'm honest.
Both have their charm. I think The Professional runs a little tighter narratively but the depth of character exploration in Leon is obviously superior.
@@StanleyKubick1 No. I invite you to watch another reaction video: ua-cam.com/video/x2Rl1AYVd48/v-deo.html The reactor had the best understanding of that movie I've ever witnessed. It was astonishing to me, and also helped me understand. Especially, how abused kid (Mathilda) and abused people (Leon) would react, and why it all made sense. There are several layers to a movie and I'm not saying you HAVE TO understand it this way or that way. But I'm not ok if you stop at one layer and claim it to be "the truth". Only dumb people do that.
I'm European and in Europe Leon is just called Leon. Not "Leon, The Professional". In the US version you've just watched, there are bits that show how vulnerable and lost Leon is, and "flirtacious" bits where Matilda is expressing her "love" for Leon, but he does a great job of explaining that he would never go there, and she accepts it. I think in the US version, there is a scene that more or less does the same, but the US censor thought the US audience wouldn't understand the emotional immaturity of Leon, and think they were both going to "get it on", which every European never thought they were .
You should have watched the longer extended international cut. The extended cut has more scenes of Natalie Portman being trained in the field. Hands on.
It's a shame Besson's "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" was such a meh movie. I did love the old French comic (and even have an limited print artwork hanging on my study).
Gary Oldman is an acting god. You can watch three or more movies with him and not notice it’s him till either halfway through or you look it up. This, Dracula, Fifth Element, Dark Knight series… the list goes on and on.
I saw this movie in the theater a few decades ago. In that time, I've noticed that ONLY women come to the conclusion that Leon had "no life," before he met Matilda. This may be a fundamental difference between men and women. Most men, would be fine with this life. In our spare time, what do men do? Not talk. We go fishing, we get up early and go hunting, in silence. We play golf....minor chatting. We work on the car, or outside, or cleaning guns, or building model boats, or ANYTHING, that just involves solitude and silence. I'm not saying that Matilda didnt add to his life. She did. BUT.....if she didnt come along, Leon was just fine: watching old movies, cleaning his plant, working out. For a guy, it's a good life.
That’s how men USED to be. Nowadays, a lot of them talk more than women and are super emotional and needy. I myself can’t stand people like that, especially when they’re “men”.
While he is not unhappy in his quiet life, it may be more accurate to say Leon doesn't grow up emotionally until Matilda. He is stuck on his childhood love, dwelling in the past and doing the only thing he knows. She forces him out of his bubble, like a manic pixie murder girl, and he starts to grow up both in taking care of her and navigating her emotional journey.
It is better to be happy alone than unhappy with people, it says more about a person who thinks you cant be happy alone. I would rather have 3 friends and bro's who I see twice a year, than know 100 people who I see every day.
Long before "focus groups", DEI, ESG, cheap-ass CGI... but most importantly, long before social media. Back then, you knew nothing about a movie until a trailer came out, and then nothing again until it hit the theaters. Now, if you try to make a movie, everyone's gonna have a million opinions about it before you even start shooting. Can you imagine making this movie today ? The cast would give away all the plot twists a year before it hits the big screen, and you'd have to rewrite it anyway because all the SJW on Earth got their panties in a bunch over a little girl falling in love with a much older man.
Great reaction Steph & Kristen like always. Natalie Portman's performance while waiting for Leon to open the door is freaking amazing. Her fear cast shadows. The Director’s Cut is more disturbing on the relationship level, but it also clarifies things. She comes on more strongly, even asking him to be her “first.” Leon responds by telling her that he was in love only once and that the father of his girlfriend killed her when he found out they were going to elope. So Leon killed the dad, moved to NY, and became an assassin. Leon says this woman was the only one and, because of that, he wouldn’t be a good lover. Portman chills out a little after that. So…more disturbing. But it also fleshes out their relationship. They aren’t lovers, but they do love each. Not romantically, but as literally the only people they have in their lives to love. So the lines of what kind of love gets blurred a bit, even if he never, ever crosses a sexual line with her. And a fun-fact, Gary Oldman improvise almost all of his lines on this movie, including the famous "Eeeevvryyyonnneeee". There was talks about a sequel for Leon: the Professional. The sequel was named Matilda, it was under development limbo for a long time since the film required for Natalie Portman to be older and more mature, unfortunately both Portman and Luc Besson moved to other projects. The script was scrapped and the story morphed into Zoe Saldana’s Colombiana (2011), critics trashed it, but audience seem to like it. Keep up the good work.
The director's cut also goes a lot more in depth from a training aspect. And we see their expectation that he would train her to be a world class cleaner, while not complete due to Leon's death, was well on its way in that direction.
It should also be noted that Mathilda's mom is a prostitute and her older sister looks to be heading in the same direction. Her parents arent exactly subtle about their activities when mom is 'working from home' either! She has a distinctly warped idea of human affection.
A/ I'm glad I never saw that extended cut, it adds nothing to the story. B/ I saw Columbiana when it came out. Never made an association with this movie, so I guess this was a good rewrite. Eminently forgettable. The only reason I remember watching it is the context : it was a very hot summer, and I didn't have AC, so we went to the movies. This had gun and a chick nobody knew at the time. It did the job for us.
Another great Jean Reno film is called "Wasabi" - it may have another name given to it for it elsewhere or other countries though - (But for the UK it was Wasabi)? In that he plays a former French Special Forces or Government Black Ops operator, who after retiring becomes a similar awkward type of policeman . . . Let us just say he has his own methods of his way of policing in it - until he receives a call from Japan . . . I won't give you any actual spoilers to it - but if you liked Leon this much, you'll also probably love Wasabi, too . . . Enjoy - and I await your reactions to it, eventually, ladies! 😁🤔
@@PsychoGemini wasabi feel like an unofficial adaptation of City hunter without Ryo Saeba perversity. The story could be easily edited to be a sequel set 20 years after city hunter.
You are one of the few reaction channels that really gets this movie. You understand where Matilda came from and why she feels this love, and what it really means. Too many people get caught up on a twelve-year-old saying that she loves this man. If Matilda had in a few weeks learned enough to break in and rescue Leon, the movie we have lost its realism. It would have taken years of training to get good enough for that. However , you realize that's not what the movie is about However, you realize that's not what the movie is about.
This movie is really like fine art. It yanks you out of your comfort zone, forcefully at times, and keeps you there, all while it hits you with some of the best storyline, direction, and acting to experience. Natalie was 12 when this was filmed. She was 13 when she did the rounds on the talk shows. She was so unique for a young lady that age. Watch the letterman interview. It's crazy. Anyway, one of the best movies. Great reaction. Thank you.
@@krisbrown6692Nikita or Point of No Return is a good headcanon given Luc Besson's involvement. Mine is Columbiana (co-written & produced by Besson) 😉
47:30 If you watched "The Professional", then you saw the US version that was cut down. If you watched Leon, then you saw the full version. If you saw the scene where the dope gets burned up, then you saw Leon. Leon has more about the training and their relationship.
I recently learned Netflix has The Professional (what they watched), but bait 'n' switches using Léon: The Professional title. Not cool Netflix. The International/Long Version is 133 minutes, for anyone looking for that one.
Highly recommend another Luc Besson / Jeno Reno collaboration called "The Big Blue" - bit different but great 80s movie! One of the great movie soundtracks by Eric Serra! A beautiful movie!
This is the American version of the film. The considerably better "version international" does contain scenes showing more training and set up for "The ring trick". Masterpiece. A lot of people who do not understand the film have "issues" with the longer version, it demonstrates what they bring to the viewing experience rather than what the story is being told. I think you pair would get it, women tend to more than men. Well worth watching if you're up for a re-watch. Oldman is amazing is this. Everyone knows that.
@@toddjones1480 I highly recommend you read the book "Hitchcock/Truffautt" and pay attention to the chapter discussing Hitchcock's "Man on a park bench" audience experimental film. "You only bring what you want to see", its the people who read into it that should be on that "watch list" matey.
I always thought that version was uncomfortable but that it toed the line, so I thought it worked as a darker but still watchable version. Then I found out Luc Besson, the director, started dating his second wife when she was 15 and he was 32, before Leon was made. So anyone getting creeped out has all the rights in the world to do so. I'm just happy Portman's parents kept an eye on things during the filming. He got his claws on Milla Jovovich when filming the 5th Element instead. At least she was 19...
it's not that they don't understand it, the director was confirmed to be a pedophile or have adjacent interests, which changes the nature of this part of the plot a LOT.
When i first saw this i was blown away by the acting. The story is amazing and watching the interaction between portman and reno is just brilliant. Even today this film is just phenomenal. Definitely in my top 5 favourite films ever.
I think he has a twisted code of morality. Meaning that on one hand, he definitely does take advantage of Leon (as in: asking way more than $5K per hit) but on the other hand, he'll never cheat a guy of the money he's holding for them. You know what they say about believable bad guys : in their minds they are doing what's right.
@@TheNefastor Leon lives like a poor peasant. He is absolutely cheating him of his money. He has no intention of ever giving it to him, or to the girl. He was using Leon, and he was not his friend.
@@roems6396 you didn't watch the movie, clearly. He keeps moving around. He can't own much while working. He's not gonna rent a U-haul every time he has to get away quick and find another place. DUH.
@@TheNefastor I own the movie bud. That means nothing at all. He only keeps moving because things happened. There is absolutely no reason that he is living in such crap holes. There is no reason he isn’t given a dime of his money, except the pittance that the boss allows him. You clearly don’t understand what is happening.
Lol little fun fact in the resident evil 4 game there is a character named leon who has a pistol and he calls it Matilda that’s his favorite pistol based on the girl Natalie Portman portrays
"Please tell me it's a bad guy you're shooting..." That jogger in the park was a depiction of then president Bill Clinton. It wasn't mentioned specifically, but he was famous for going on jogs every day with the Secret Service even when traveling.
This movie is a hidden gem, and I'm glad you two get it. So many reactors are offended about Matilda's pseudo-sexual confused romantic feelings about Leon, as if it's Leon that's making advances toward her. Leon kept things fatherly and appropriate. It's Matilda that is in a confused prepubescent state, having grown up in such an inappropriate situation. No wonder she's so confused about it all. I don't understand how so many people take it all wrong.
The relationship of both Matilda and Leo was uncomfortable but as the story progress we fall in love with both of them 💝 💝 Direcor Luc Besson wrote this stroy based on his own relationship with the girl way younger than him ..
I've missed you Steph! I think you'd enjoy Luc Besson's "Nikita" and Tony Scott/Q.Tarantino's "True Romance". Both have great, prominent female roles and that type of well written grounding that you mentioned. Also, Jean appears in Nikita and Gary in True Romance! My favourite Oldman role is alongside Sean Penn, Robin Wright, Ed Harris & John C.Reilly in "State of Grace", a very underrated gangster film. Natalie Portman only has a small role in "Heat" but it's a f***ing epic crime film starring DeNiro, Pacino & Val Kilmer! If you want to see another great child actress, check out Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon".
Leon wasn't gonna kill her because of her inconvenience. He was gonna kill her to put her out of her misery. It was more an act of mercy. Other related movies I highly recommend: -The Fifth Element (Luc Besson) -Ronin (Jean Reno) -V for Vendetta (Natalie Portman) -Bram Stoker's Dracula (Gary Oldman)
Of course Natalie Portman, Jean Reno and Gary Oldman are amazing but I do love Danny Aiello in this movie. He does a great job with very little. An underrated character actor.
Natalie Portman was my first crush. I was about her age in this at the time. Also this is easily Gary Oldman's finest acting performance, out of many he did. In my opinion of course
45:48 "He was gonna train her si well..." No thats not how movies worked in the 90's, thats like gen z stuff, superhéroe and people that fly in every punch
My favourite hitman movie of all time. And considering how good an actress, Natalie Porter is I was massively disappointed. They never made a second version to this movie where she grows up and she’s a hitman.
@@AK47BLACKice I think Leon was the first film she starred in. I imagine she’d want to do it justice so her performance would be epic. Most of the time I’ve seen her in movies. She’s been pretty phenomenal although I have seen some more recently where it just seems she’s dialling it in, maybe it was just a paycheque and she wasn’t really into the project who knows. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t take this film and make a sequel out of it when you look at all the crap movies Hollywood’s been putting out in the last four or five years with remakes and taken animated films and release it with woke nonsense, and the majority of people just don’t have an interest in it, I imagine there would be a lot of people lining up to see this movie considering how good the first one was. You just need to get some really good riders to give it a great story that’s not full of woke liberal nonsense and make it bad ass.. It would be a money maker for sure.
the sequel was in development for many years, but due to schedules and such, the script got turned into the movie "colombiana" starring zoe saldana. which is a pretty decent movie, despite what the critics said about it at the time.
@@skapunker21 yes I enjoyed that movie. It was good, but I still wanted to see Matilda has a butt kicking killer. No women no kids. But if she’s a woman, I wonder if it would’ve been no men no kids and she just goes around killing bad bitches..
Very nice reaction, girls! I especially like that you drew the right conclusions from the movie, the relationship between Léon and Matilda and the whole situation. I would recommend 'The Fifth Element' as another Luc Besson movie and I think you will like it too. 😄
"This guy went to Jamaica for one summer and came back different...." That was great!😂 Eric Serra did the Soundtrack and Gary Oldman's pills contain "Librium" (Benzodiazepane)!
Besson should have made a sequel with her as cleaner instead of "Lucy", 2014. Natalie Portman was 33 at that point, the right age for an adult cleaner.
The violence in Matilda's life killed everyone who cared about her. If she went on to become a killer then Leon didn't actually save her by opening that door
That was him thinking of giving her mercy to this life. Leon is pure magic from Luc Besson. It is one of the most deep films ever made and to this day is as fresh as the 1st time it blew me away in the cinema. Try watching Besson's other movies they are amazing. Happy watching.
The movie has been released under several titles (The Professional (US) & Leon The Professional (both titles used in Australia) & Leon (outside the US & Australia) for English speaking countries).
I recently learned Netflix has The Professional (what they watched), but bait 'n' switches using Léon: The Professional title. Not cool Netflix. The International/Long Version is 133 minutes, for anyone looking for that one.
Good reaction, ladies. Btw, the constant references to 'Beethoven that Gary Oldman's character made in this movie was actually an Easter Egg inside joke since at the same time in 1994 during the filming of this movie, he was also filming the 1994 movie 'Immortal Beloved' in which he played the title role of Ludwig Van Beethoven. That 1994 movie ('Immortal Beloved') is one of the most underrated movies ever....it's very good, and I would suggest that you should definitely check it out. You would probably be one of the first UA-cam movie reactors to react to "Immortal Beloved". Without giving away any spoilers, the movie is a historical Rom-Dram-Mystery based on the life of Beethoven. AWESOME MOVIE...and it is actually also my favorite Gary Oldman movies. 'Immortal Beloved' (1994) ---- definitely worth checking out.
Gary Oldman's range is incredible. He could have played as Matilda if he wanted to. His "EVERYONE!" line was an improb to mess with the director.. Everyone was caught off gaurd.. LOL
It makes sense that a little girl who was raised in an unloving home by a family that was recently murdered would develop a crush on a man who is kind to her. What is weird is how that’s not understood. The little girl with a crush is treated like she can be talked out of her feelings, or given a beaten. The fact that her family was murdered is forgotten as her cursing and smoking become the focus. It’s like watching someone be shot and feeling sympathy for a minute before complaining about the victims bad language as they cry out for help. This is why so many people especially kids are abused in FRONT of people. Every superficial response to the trauma becomes the focus and needs to be punished. The actual problem causing the grief is forgotten. Main stream media grooms us to ignore atrocities and victim blame despite the fact that the story is supposedly about caring about the girl. But instead she’s criticized for how she grieves her murdered family. The idea of giving her time to grieve and get use to a loving environment is not even a thought. Beating a child who only got love from her little brother, is experiencing crushes which is apart of growing up, and ignoring the dead family that would be hard on adults who aren’t criticized for how they express their grief, is the solution. Beat the child who who beat up by her sister. How can you think it’s wrong for the sister to beat the little girl, but suggest a beating because she’s developed a crush on the only adult to actually take care of her? You’re worse than the abusive family that’s at least honest about their abuse. People who pretend to be horrified by violence but suggest it as a solution, are the WORSE. They pretend to be different, but re-traumatize you as the bait by criticizing abuse. Then use superficial reasons to suggest more abuse and victim blame.
Ooooh, sorry, you're wrong, the story was much darker than you think. Luc Besson based part of Leon on his own life, Luc met model/actress Maiiwenn when she was 12 and started seeing her regularly but privately, they "officially" (for the public's knowledge) began dating when she was 15 (the legal age of consent in that country) and married her when she was 16 at the time she had become pregnant (he was 33 at that point). There were scenes in the script that I won't describe here about the physical relationship between Leon and Mathilda. They did film a clothed sex scene but it was cut as well as the written unfilmed scenes because Natalie's parents objected to them and some of the heads convinced Luc that the film with those scenes included would never be allowed to play in the US and Canada so he altered everything to make it compliant for everyone. The audience was expected however, using their imaginations and assumptions, to believe they had done it prior to the scene where Leon wakes up after having slept in the bed with Mathilda and she's wearing a pair of his loose fitting boxer shorts which follows the scene that was actually cut. Both of their personalities subtly change after that scene as well. Also, the scene where Leon is saying goodbye to Mathilda, his dialog gives you the clues needed to confirm what they had done. Luc gave Natalie strange vibes and she was happy when filming ended so she could distance herself from him. Luc planned on a sequel later on where Mathilda is a little older (18+) and is working as a cleaner, Natalie was approached for the role but refused because the thought of working with Luc again brought back bad and traumatic memories, Luc didn't want anyone else to take the role hence the reason there is no sequel, which is a shame. Anyway, loved the review, love you guys, take care and stay safe ❤️
I really loved this movie , despite it's dark side , but many many people on the 'main road of life' would reject it because of the violence . Credit to both of you for balancing the positive and negative storytelling . Also great acting .
You really need to se The Fifth Element next, by the same director. It's insanely good. You also have Gary Oldman in it that one too, together with Bruce Willis and Milla Jovović
Unfortunately you watched the US version of the movie. With the other cut you would have seen her other training. You would have also seen just how manipulative Matilda was with Leon. Thank you for watching this though. It is an underrated movie. Luc Besson... "Le Femme Nikita", "Lucy", "The Fifth Element", and on and on.
If you want to see more of Mathilda's training watch the international director's cut of this movie called "Leon". This version also shows more of their relationship. And if you want to see more of Jean Reno (Leon) watch The Big Blue (1988) and Ronin with Robert Dinero.
gary oldman gives one of the best 90s performaces , great villian
EVERYONE!!!
😆
AMEN
They don't appear to be familiar with him.
@@terribanks8633 I’m willing to bet Steph knows him, not sure about Kristen. I’m willing to bet they don’t/didn’t recognize him so young. Portman is still recognizable as is Jean Reno.
I always felt it was very cartoonish. But maybe that fits this film.
"This guy went to Jamaica for one summer and came back different." Best reaction line EVER!
On another note... that a 12 year-old could nail a role that requires that level of maturity is almost unbelievable.
Jack Black in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
I feel like that's pretty much the most accurate description of Willi One Blood anyone could give.
Hilarious 😂
@@ryanmckenna3503The Broken Lizard crew parody that look in Club Dread 🤣🤣🤣
Guys like that used to be very common and were praised for being so "open-minded" and atypical. Suddenly a few years ago, they started getting called "culturally appropriating" and stopped immediately.
One of my favorite Gary Oldman performances. Screaming “EVERYONE” is just such an iconic line for a simple as it is
Yes. That and the “AAAHHH” Jean Reno does before they blow up the apartment with the parachute flare.
What do you mean "Everyone!" 😆
@@wartyrant8627 the EVERRRYYYYONNNNEEE line Gary Oldman improvised that and they kept it in the film
@@thundertmf that’s dope 🎥 and STILL intense after seeing it so many times 🔥
Gary Oldman just embodying terror. The definitive performance.
Bring me everyone. EVERYONE!!! is an iconic line.
that one scene made it one of the best villain performances of all time
It's really the delivery that makes the line. So if you ever use it, you gotta yell it.
The child who was forced to grow up too quickly meets the adult who never grew up.
I lean to can't grow up. He seems to have some sort of limited intellectual development and is taken advantage of by his employer.
Reno played his character a bit "special" because people would see him as a predator . Not so much as one being manipulated. @mormacil
Solid comment. I never thought of it like that.
Yes, in fact he has the brain of an 16 year old teenager.
@@hewhoshallnotbenamed7862yeah, seeing as the director had a bit of a…..yeah….
The international version of the film is 25 minutes longer and you see more of Mathilda’s training. I highly recommend checking it out if you are looking to rewatch the film in the future.
As a European the US version is a huge let down from what I originally saw.
@@ivindhimsett9803 Totally. Being from the US, the edited version wall all I knew for several years. When the extended version became available I picked it up and disappointed in the version we got as well. The international cut is indeed superior.
I haven't heard that it has a longer version. i will be watching that today.
The International version's "training montage" was great! The other scene where "Matilda gets drunk at the restaurant" ruins it for me though. Now I'm older I prefer the cut version (same as Aliens).
@@XanderCrease Luc Besson couldn't leave his own creepiness out of the full cut.
Luc Besson had made the movie La Femme Nikita in 1990, where Jean Reno had a smaller role as a "cleaner". Besson couldn't let go of that cleaner character, and made the movie Leon around him, with of course Jean Reno in the role.
I remember Jean Reno's "cleaner" scene in "La Femme Nikita" but I didn't realise that he played the exact same person in both movies. Thank you for the insight!
@@tubekulose I wouldn't call them the exact same person. As you know then, they are tonally very very different. I'd say León is a fleshed out expansion of the character. The cleaner in Nikita is just a 1 dimensional psychopath.
No, in Nikita he plays a psychopathic cleaner named Victor, there is no comparison between him and leon besides the profession.
That last scene with Danny Aiello and the kid totally busts me up. He was a great actor. RIP.
I think Tony is a good Guy, but He gives her only 100$?
1000$ would be better or Help her.
@@Morris1581back then $100 bucks was a lot for a kid. Also Tony needs to get back on his feet and hopefully she'll get more when he's more stable and not being hounded by the DEA.
@@Morris1581 you're forgetting inflation.
Fun fact, the movie "Colombiana" was originally written as a sequel to this and was supposed to be Mathilda as an cleaner. It was reworked to a standalone film after some "creative differences"
Colombiana... isn t with the woman who play gamora in guardian of the galaxy?
@unlimited971 yes, the original plan was to bring back Natalie Portman but due to creative differences, availability, etc. they rewrote it and recast it as a standalone movie.
@@sethshockey1114 IIRC, Besson switched studios but The Professional rights didn't come with him.
@@thatHARVguy that was a part of it for sure as well
I love Colombiana, great movie
If you want another Luc Besson masterpiece that would be Fifth Element…
Yeah, the girl at the beginning in the hotel room with the target was, at that time, Luc Besson's wife who also played the Diva in The Fifth Element.
or Nikita
A minor masterpiece by Besson: ANGEL A. Loveletter to Paris...and very much his favorite trope.
That movie was mid and was saved by its costume design
To this day I dont know if there is any director as overrated as Luc Besson, even if we ignore that he is a pedophile and both of his most well known movies are about a child who acts like an adult and an adult woman who acts like an child, they are really not that good
No.
‘Don’t ever do that again or I will break your head’🤣 Leon with the one liners
One , amongst many, of Gary Oldman's most iconic performances!
"Death is whimsical today" will always be my absolute fave quote from any movie.
meaning of this quote
@@musicmaker34 it means he knows he's not in control today. It's the kind of phrase you'd expect from a guy used to killing people and never facing much danger.
You want to see more of Mathilda'a training? There is an international, kind of DIRECTOR'S CUT of the movie, where you get exactly that. Also the relation between Leon and Mathilda gets more screentime.
This version has a 22 minutes longer runtime.
Its the much better Version 👍🏻
The longer cut is good but also makes their relationship creepy in my opinion.
@@Riggswolfe It's almost as if that is kinda the whole point of their relationship
@@TheMiddlingGamer Yeah. It's just easier to look past in the shorter version. I find the longer version truly uncomfortable to watch sometimes if I'm honest.
@@Riggswolfe Poor thing (￣ლ￣๑)
The Fifth Element (1997) and La Femme Nikita (1990) are a must watch. Just so good.
"The Big Blue" (1988), also with Jean Reno as lead.
@@JoergWeida not exactly the lead in that movie, but an important side character.
The longer cut is my favorite film of all time.
It's kind of hard to watch the US version now, knowing what was sliced out.
i have only seen this version. I'll have to keep an eye out for this
Both have their charm. I think The Professional runs a little tighter narratively but the depth of character exploration in Leon is obviously superior.
y'all just simping for the inappropriate love story
She was grooming him,@@StanleyKubick1.
@@StanleyKubick1 No. I invite you to watch another reaction video: ua-cam.com/video/x2Rl1AYVd48/v-deo.html
The reactor had the best understanding of that movie I've ever witnessed. It was astonishing to me, and also helped me understand. Especially, how abused kid (Mathilda) and abused people (Leon) would react, and why it all made sense. There are several layers to a movie and I'm not saying you HAVE TO understand it this way or that way. But I'm not ok if you stop at one layer and claim it to be "the truth". Only dumb people do that.
Kinda cool how you admired that guy's snakeskin shoes while he was dying by hanging.
womem
I'm European and in Europe Leon is just called Leon. Not "Leon, The Professional". In the US version you've just watched, there are bits that show how vulnerable and lost Leon is, and "flirtacious" bits where Matilda is expressing her "love" for Leon, but he does a great job of explaining that he would never go there, and she accepts it.
I think in the US version, there is a scene that more or less does the same, but the US censor thought the US audience wouldn't understand the emotional immaturity of Leon, and think they were both going to "get it on", which every European never thought they were .
You should have watched the longer extended international cut.
The extended cut has more scenes of Natalie Portman being trained in the field.
Hands on.
i recommend you :
★ *The Fifth Element* (1997)
_Gary Oldman , Bruce Willis & Milla Jovovich_
Directed by *Luc Besson* (LEON's Director)
★ *La Femme Nikita* (1990)
_Anne Parillaud & _*_Jean Reno_*_ (LEON)_
_Directed by _*_Luc Besson_*_ (LEON's Director)_
BONUS TRACK
★ *Black Swan* (2010) 🔥
_starring _*_Natalie Portman_*
Directed by *Darren Aronofsky*
,
“It’s MY turn!” 🦢
Nikita! My first Besson/Reno film. Leon is the film you get when you watch Victor the Cleaner and want an entire film of that.
It's a shame Besson's "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" was such a meh movie. I did love the old French comic (and even have an limited print artwork hanging on my study).
Gary Oldman is an acting god. You can watch three or more movies with him and not notice it’s him till either halfway through or you look it up.
This, Dracula, Fifth Element, Dark Knight series… the list goes on and on.
I saw this movie in the theater a few decades ago. In that time, I've noticed that ONLY women come to the conclusion that Leon had "no life," before he met Matilda. This may be a fundamental difference between men and women. Most men, would be fine with this life. In our spare time, what do men do? Not talk. We go fishing, we get up early and go hunting, in silence. We play golf....minor chatting. We work on the car, or outside, or cleaning guns, or building model boats, or ANYTHING, that just involves solitude and silence. I'm not saying that Matilda didnt add to his life. She did. BUT.....if she didnt come along, Leon was just fine: watching old movies, cleaning his plant, working out. For a guy, it's a good life.
That’s how men USED to be. Nowadays, a lot of them talk more than women and are super emotional and needy. I myself can’t stand people like that, especially when they’re “men”.
While he is not unhappy in his quiet life, it may be more accurate to say Leon doesn't grow up emotionally until Matilda. He is stuck on his childhood love, dwelling in the past and doing the only thing he knows. She forces him out of his bubble, like a manic pixie murder girl, and he starts to grow up both in taking care of her and navigating her emotional journey.
Nah bro thats cap when u hit 40 years its so sad to be lonley
@@jamiraquai1 "sad to be lonely"? It sounds redundant. Is that some sort of gen alpha slang? 😆
It is better to be happy alone than unhappy with people, it says more about a person who thinks you cant be happy alone.
I would rather have 3 friends and bro's who I see twice a year, than know 100 people who I see every day.
They dont make movies like this no more. WHAT A MOVIE!!!!!
Long before "focus groups", DEI, ESG, cheap-ass CGI... but most importantly, long before social media. Back then, you knew nothing about a movie until a trailer came out, and then nothing again until it hit the theaters. Now, if you try to make a movie, everyone's gonna have a million opinions about it before you even start shooting. Can you imagine making this movie today ? The cast would give away all the plot twists a year before it hits the big screen, and you'd have to rewrite it anyway because all the SJW on Earth got their panties in a bunch over a little girl falling in love with a much older man.
Luc Besson actually had a previous assassin film. LA femme Nikita, which predates this film. And features the same actor.
Awesome film.
He co-wrote and produced Columbiana as well. Man loves him a lady assassin.
Great reaction Steph & Kristen like always. Natalie Portman's performance while waiting for Leon to open the door is freaking amazing. Her fear cast shadows. The Director’s Cut is more disturbing on the relationship level, but it also clarifies things. She comes on more strongly, even asking him to be her “first.” Leon responds by telling her that he was in love only once and that the father of his girlfriend killed her when he found out they were going to elope. So Leon killed the dad, moved to NY, and became an assassin. Leon says this woman was the only one and, because of that, he wouldn’t be a good lover. Portman chills out a little after that. So…more disturbing.
But it also fleshes out their relationship. They aren’t lovers, but they do love each. Not romantically, but as literally the only people they have in their lives to love. So the lines of what kind of love gets blurred a bit, even if he never, ever crosses a sexual line with her. And a fun-fact, Gary Oldman improvise almost all of his lines on this movie, including the famous "Eeeevvryyyonnneeee".
There was talks about a sequel for Leon: the Professional. The sequel was named Matilda, it was under development limbo for a long time since the film required for Natalie Portman to be older and more mature, unfortunately both Portman and Luc Besson moved to other projects. The script was scrapped and the story morphed into Zoe Saldana’s Colombiana (2011), critics trashed it, but audience seem to like it. Keep up the good work.
The director's cut also goes a lot more in depth from a training aspect. And we see their expectation that he would train her to be a world class cleaner, while not complete due to Leon's death, was well on its way in that direction.
It should also be noted that Mathilda's mom is a prostitute and her older sister looks to be heading in the same direction.
Her parents arent exactly subtle about their activities when mom is 'working from home' either!
She has a distinctly warped idea of human affection.
A/ I'm glad I never saw that extended cut, it adds nothing to the story. B/ I saw Columbiana when it came out. Never made an association with this movie, so I guess this was a good rewrite. Eminently forgettable. The only reason I remember watching it is the context : it was a very hot summer, and I didn't have AC, so we went to the movies. This had gun and a chick nobody knew at the time. It did the job for us.
This is probably the best Luc Besson movie - humor, action, drama - a bit of everything that work so well together.
And the best score of Eric Serra.
The Fifth Element is on the same level for me. And Korben Dallas does feel like Leon a bit.
Another great Jean Reno film is called "Wasabi" - it may have another name given to it for it elsewhere or other countries though - (But for the UK it was Wasabi)? In that he plays a former French Special Forces or Government Black Ops operator, who after retiring becomes a similar awkward type of policeman . . . Let us just say he has his own methods of his way of policing in it - until he receives a call from Japan . . . I won't give you any actual spoilers to it - but if you liked Leon this much, you'll also probably love Wasabi, too . . . Enjoy - and I await your reactions to it, eventually, ladies! 😁🤔
Wasabi is a fantastic fun movie.
@@PsychoGemini wasabi feel like an unofficial adaptation of City hunter without Ryo Saeba perversity. The story could be easily edited to be a sequel set 20 years after city hunter.
@@chevalierkraken That actually works for me.
You are one of the few reaction channels that really gets this movie. You understand where Matilda came from and why she feels this love, and what it really means. Too many people get caught up on a twelve-year-old saying that she loves this man.
If Matilda had in a few weeks learned enough to break in and rescue Leon, the movie we have lost its realism. It would have taken years of training to get good enough for that. However , you realize that's not what the movie is about However, you realize that's not what the movie is about.
You know, who's got to see this movie? EVERYONE!!!!!
Kristen is hilarious with who she considers 'trustworthy'. I'm in awe of Gary Oldman's range as an actor.
She was O for 2, a horrible judge of character! Starting with dad, who seemed so sweet!
This movie is really like fine art. It yanks you out of your comfort zone, forcefully at times, and keeps you there, all while it hits you with some of the best storyline, direction, and acting to experience. Natalie was 12 when this was filmed. She was 13 when she did the rounds on the talk shows. She was so unique for a young lady that age. Watch the letterman interview. It's crazy. Anyway, one of the best movies. Great reaction. Thank you.
Gary Oldman one of my favorite actors
That " EVERYONE" got you 😂
i missed Stephs reactions so much! im glad to see her on here again
I cry each Time I watch this movie. One of the best movies ever.
Now you know why Sgt Angel keeps a Japanese Peace Lily in 'Hot Fuzz'.
Another Outstanding Performance from Gary Oldman He Should Have Got an Oscar or at very Least Nominated A Great Action/Thriller
Would love to see Natalie Portman do a part 2 and continue this story.
My head canon is that La Femme Nikita is the sequel to this.
@@krisbrown6692Nikita or Point of No Return is a good headcanon given Luc Besson's involvement. Mine is Columbiana (co-written & produced by Besson) 😉
Please no.
Colombiana is the rewritten sequel.
IIRC, Besson switched studios but The Professional rights didn't come with him. Hence Mathilda was rewritten to be Colombiana.
"Her dad .. seems too sweet ... "
🤨🤔😁🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Something about the banality of evil.
Gary Oldman’s pill is Librium.
Used to treat anxiety, insomnia and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and/or drug abuse.
All time classic! Oldman is awesome in this! Portman showing hints of the Oscar caliber talent here
47:30 If you watched "The Professional", then you saw the US version that was cut down. If you watched Leon, then you saw the full version.
If you saw the scene where the dope gets burned up, then you saw Leon. Leon has more about the training and their relationship.
I recently learned Netflix has The Professional (what they watched), but bait 'n' switches using Léon: The Professional title. Not cool Netflix.
The International/Long Version is 133 minutes, for anyone looking for that one.
Highly recommend another Luc Besson / Jeno Reno collaboration called "The Big Blue" - bit different but great 80s movie! One of the great movie soundtracks by Eric Serra!
A beautiful movie!
"La Femme Nikita" (1990 original)
"The Accountant" (2016)
"The November Man" (2014)
"Harry Brown" (2009)
"Ronin" (1998)
"The Peacemaker" (1997)
"R.E.D." (2010)
"Death Wish" (1974)
"The Eiger Sanction" (1975)
"Jack Reacher" (2012)
"Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997)
The Peacemaker-1007 isn't about an assassin.
Ronin is pretty much a legendary movie.
Oldman was amazing in this film
This is the American version of the film. The considerably better "version international" does contain scenes showing more training and set up for "The ring trick". Masterpiece. A lot of people who do not understand the film have "issues" with the longer version, it demonstrates what they bring to the viewing experience rather than what the story is being told. I think you pair would get it, women tend to more than men. Well worth watching if you're up for a re-watch.
Oldman is amazing is this. Everyone knows that.
People who prefer that cut should be on a watch list.
@@toddjones1480 I highly recommend you read the book "Hitchcock/Truffautt" and pay attention to the chapter discussing Hitchcock's "Man on a park bench" audience experimental film. "You only bring what you want to see", its the people who read into it that should be on that "watch list" matey.
@@notjustforhackers4252sure😂
I always thought that version was uncomfortable but that it toed the line, so I thought it worked as a darker but still watchable version. Then I found out Luc Besson, the director, started dating his second wife when she was 15 and he was 32, before Leon was made. So anyone getting creeped out has all the rights in the world to do so. I'm just happy Portman's parents kept an eye on things during the filming. He got his claws on Milla Jovovich when filming the 5th Element instead. At least she was 19...
it's not that they don't understand it, the director was confirmed to be a pedophile or have adjacent interests, which changes the nature of this part of the plot a LOT.
When i first saw this i was blown away by the acting. The story is amazing and watching the interaction between portman and reno is just brilliant. Even today this film is just phenomenal. Definitely in my top 5 favourite films ever.
“He seems trustworthy? I think they have a bond?” Dude is exhibiting every sign in the book that he is lying and taking advantage of Leon.
I think he has a twisted code of morality. Meaning that on one hand, he definitely does take advantage of Leon (as in: asking way more than $5K per hit) but on the other hand, he'll never cheat a guy of the money he's holding for them. You know what they say about believable bad guys : in their minds they are doing what's right.
@@TheNefastor
Leon lives like a poor peasant. He is absolutely cheating him of his money. He has no intention of ever giving it to him, or to the girl. He was using Leon, and he was not his friend.
@@roems6396 you didn't watch the movie, clearly. He keeps moving around. He can't own much while working. He's not gonna rent a U-haul every time he has to get away quick and find another place. DUH.
@@TheNefastor
I own the movie bud. That means nothing at all. He only keeps moving because things happened. There is absolutely no reason that he is living in such crap holes. There is no reason he isn’t given a dime of his money, except the pittance that the boss allows him. You clearly don’t understand what is happening.
@@roems6396 and you clearly overestimate your intelligence. So we're gonna end this exchange now.
jean reno and Natalie portman 🔥🔥🔥
Lol little fun fact in the resident evil 4 game there is a character named leon who has a pistol and he calls it Matilda that’s his favorite pistol based on the girl Natalie Portman portrays
Resident evil 2
@@neonghost8608 its also on resident evil 4 as but yeah your right
"Please tell me it's a bad guy you're shooting..."
That jogger in the park was a depiction of then president Bill Clinton. It wasn't mentioned specifically, but he was famous for going on jogs every day with the Secret Service even when traveling.
Jeez Kristen trusts EVERYONE in this movie lol
Yay Stephs back and watching Leo the Profesional.
Leon*
This movie is a hidden gem, and I'm glad you two get it. So many reactors are offended about Matilda's pseudo-sexual confused romantic feelings about Leon, as if it's Leon that's making advances toward her. Leon kept things fatherly and appropriate. It's Matilda that is in a confused prepubescent state, having grown up in such an inappropriate situation. No wonder she's so confused about it all. I don't understand how so many people take it all wrong.
This film still holds up to this very day. Such a good film the acting and cinematography is out of this world!
One of the greatest french movies of all time. I absolutely love Leon, Natalie Portman is purely stunning in this.
“I think he’s gonna give her money but…he’s taxing.” Soooo true!!
I think Gary Oldman is the greatest actor in history.
Her dad seems so sweet.🤔
Talk about bad first impressions😂
For the Luc Besson movie where the girl does become an assassin, see La Femme Nikita.
its the best movie ever made.
You must see the extended version. You get a more complete story on Léons former life and his time with Mathilda.
“I thought he was going to train her up and make her a bad@$$”
ROFL you wish
That's what an American director would have done, for sure.
The relationship of both Matilda and Leo was uncomfortable but as the story progress we fall in love with both of them 💝 💝
Direcor Luc Besson wrote this stroy based on his own relationship with the girl way younger than him ..
In the directors cut , shows them doing hits together
I've missed you Steph!
I think you'd enjoy Luc Besson's "Nikita" and Tony Scott/Q.Tarantino's "True Romance".
Both have great, prominent female roles and that type of well written grounding that you mentioned.
Also, Jean appears in Nikita and Gary in True Romance!
My favourite Oldman role is alongside Sean Penn, Robin Wright, Ed Harris & John C.Reilly in "State of Grace", a very underrated gangster film.
Natalie Portman only has a small role in "Heat" but it's a f***ing epic crime film starring DeNiro, Pacino & Val Kilmer!
If you want to see another great child actress, check out Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon".
Leon wasn't gonna kill her because of her inconvenience. He was gonna kill her to put her out of her misery. It was more an act of mercy.
Other related movies I highly recommend:
-The Fifth Element (Luc Besson)
-Ronin (Jean Reno)
-V for Vendetta (Natalie Portman)
-Bram Stoker's Dracula (Gary Oldman)
Of course Natalie Portman, Jean Reno and Gary Oldman are amazing but I do love Danny Aiello in this movie. He does a great job with very little. An underrated character actor.
Natalie Portman was my first crush. I was about her age in this at the time. Also this is easily Gary Oldman's finest acting performance, out of many he did. In my opinion of course
Hey Steph's back, have her on more please.
45:48 "He was gonna train her si well..." No thats not how movies worked in the 90's, thats like gen z stuff, superhéroe and people that fly in every punch
My favourite hitman movie of all time. And considering how good an actress, Natalie Porter is I was massively disappointed. They never made a second version to this movie where she grows up and she’s a hitman.
That would be wrong, the lesson of the movie was not to become a murderer. If she had become a killer, the sacrifice would have been in vain.
She has said that she would love to do a sequel but I guess nothing came of it.
@@AK47BLACKice I think Leon was the first film she starred in. I imagine she’d want to do it justice so her performance would be epic. Most of the time I’ve seen her in movies. She’s been pretty phenomenal although I have seen some more recently where it just seems she’s dialling it in, maybe it was just a paycheque and she wasn’t really into the project who knows. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t take this film and make a sequel out of it when you look at all the crap movies Hollywood’s been putting out in the last four or five years with remakes and taken animated films and release it with woke nonsense, and the majority of people just don’t have an interest in it, I imagine there would be a lot of people lining up to see this movie considering how good the first one was. You just need to get some really good riders to give it a great story that’s not full of woke liberal nonsense and make it bad ass.. It would be a money maker for sure.
the sequel was in development for many years, but due to schedules and such, the script got turned into the movie "colombiana" starring zoe saldana. which is a pretty decent movie, despite what the critics said about it at the time.
@@skapunker21 yes I enjoyed that movie. It was good, but I still wanted to see Matilda has a butt kicking killer. No women no kids. But if she’s a woman, I wonder if it would’ve been no men no kids and she just goes around killing bad bitches..
Very nice reaction, girls! I especially like that you drew the right conclusions from the movie, the relationship between Léon and Matilda and the whole situation. I would recommend 'The Fifth Element' as another Luc Besson movie and I think you will like it too. 😄
EVERYONE !!!!!
"This guy went to Jamaica for one summer and came back different...."
That was great!😂
Eric Serra did the Soundtrack and Gary Oldman's pills contain "Librium" (Benzodiazepane)!
This movie needs a sequel asap. With older Portman.
Nah. Don't ruin classics with sequels
@@the_varunrvel Top Gun Maverick, is now deleted. Got it. Clown
@@WheresWaldo05 i mean how are they going to continue the story that could keep up with the first one
Besson should have made a sequel with her as cleaner instead of "Lucy", 2014. Natalie Portman was 33 at that point, the right age for an adult cleaner.
The violence in Matilda's life killed everyone who cared about her. If she went on to become a killer then Leon didn't actually save her by opening that door
The white guy with the dreadlocks is a reggae singer.Back in the 90s,he was doing acting parts too.
Steph and Kristen! Yessss 🎉
I really love you're reactions! You are the best duo!
"Please open the door"
First time I saw that scene, I knew Natalie Portman was destined for greatness.
That was him thinking of giving her mercy to this life. Leon is pure magic from Luc Besson. It is one of the most deep films ever made and to this day is as fresh as the 1st time it blew me away in the cinema. Try watching Besson's other movies they are amazing. Happy watching.
The movie has been released under several titles (The Professional (US) & Leon The Professional (both titles used in Australia) & Leon (outside the US & Australia) for English speaking countries).
I recently learned Netflix has The Professional (what they watched), but bait 'n' switches using Léon: The Professional title. Not cool Netflix.
The International/Long Version is 133 minutes, for anyone looking for that one.
Good reaction, ladies. Btw, the constant references to 'Beethoven that Gary Oldman's character made in this movie was actually an Easter Egg inside joke since at the same time in 1994 during the filming of this movie, he was also filming the 1994 movie 'Immortal Beloved' in which he played the title role of Ludwig Van Beethoven. That 1994 movie ('Immortal Beloved') is one of the most underrated movies ever....it's very good, and I would suggest that you should definitely check it out. You would probably be one of the first UA-cam movie reactors to react to "Immortal Beloved". Without giving away any spoilers, the movie is a historical Rom-Dram-Mystery based on the life of Beethoven. AWESOME MOVIE...and it is actually also my favorite Gary Oldman movies.
'Immortal Beloved' (1994) ---- definitely worth checking out.
Gary Oldman's range is incredible. He could have played as Matilda if he wanted to.
His "EVERYONE!" line was an improb to mess with the director.. Everyone was caught off gaurd.. LOL
It makes sense that a little girl who was raised in an unloving home by a family that was recently murdered would develop a crush on a man who is kind to her.
What is weird is how that’s not understood. The little girl with a crush is treated like she can be talked out of her feelings, or given a beaten.
The fact that her family was murdered is forgotten as her cursing and smoking become the focus.
It’s like watching someone be shot and feeling sympathy for a minute before complaining about the victims bad language as they cry out for help.
This is why so many people especially kids are abused in FRONT of people. Every superficial response to the trauma becomes the focus and needs to be punished. The actual problem causing the grief is forgotten.
Main stream media grooms us to ignore atrocities and victim blame despite the fact that the story is supposedly about caring about the girl. But instead she’s criticized for how she grieves her murdered family.
The idea of giving her time to grieve and get use to a loving environment is not even a thought.
Beating a child who only got love from her little brother, is experiencing crushes which is apart of growing up, and ignoring the dead family that would be hard on adults who aren’t criticized for how they express their grief, is the solution.
Beat the child who who beat up by her sister.
How can you think it’s wrong for the sister to beat the little girl, but suggest a beating because she’s developed a crush on the only adult to actually take care of her?
You’re worse than the abusive family that’s at least honest about their abuse.
People who pretend to be horrified by violence but suggest it as a solution, are the WORSE. They pretend to be different, but re-traumatize you as the bait by criticizing abuse. Then use superficial reasons to suggest more abuse and victim blame.
Let's be honest here. Gary Oldman should've received three oscars for this. I've watched this film over 20 times because of his "EVERYONE" !!
Only 20 times? That's not nearly enough? Listen "I don't have time for this Mickey Mouse büllshít" 😭
Ooooh, sorry, you're wrong, the story was much darker than you think. Luc Besson based part of Leon on his own life, Luc met model/actress Maiiwenn when she was 12 and started seeing her regularly but privately, they "officially" (for the public's knowledge) began dating when she was 15 (the legal age of consent in that country) and married her when she was 16 at the time she had become pregnant (he was 33 at that point). There were scenes in the script that I won't describe here about the physical relationship between Leon and Mathilda. They did film a clothed sex scene but it was cut as well as the written unfilmed scenes because Natalie's parents objected to them and some of the heads convinced Luc that the film with those scenes included would never be allowed to play in the US and Canada so he altered everything to make it compliant for everyone. The audience was expected however, using their imaginations and assumptions, to believe they had done it prior to the scene where Leon wakes up after having slept in the bed with Mathilda and she's wearing a pair of his loose fitting boxer shorts which follows the scene that was actually cut. Both of their personalities subtly change after that scene as well. Also, the scene where Leon is saying goodbye to Mathilda, his dialog gives you the clues needed to confirm what they had done. Luc gave Natalie strange vibes and she was happy when filming ended so she could distance herself from him. Luc planned on a sequel later on where Mathilda is a little older (18+) and is working as a cleaner, Natalie was approached for the role but refused because the thought of working with Luc again brought back bad and traumatic memories, Luc didn't want anyone else to take the role hence the reason there is no sequel, which is a shame. Anyway, loved the review, love you guys, take care and stay safe ❤️
One of my favorite films. A New York movie shot in France. Some of those exterior shots of New York are priceless. The interiors were shot in France.
Steph! finally
Jean Reno is awesome
And that voice ! He did the French dub of Porco Rosso, you notice right away.
Great movie... Gary Oldman was such an AHOLE in this - great acting by him.
I really loved this movie , despite it's dark side , but many many people on the 'main road of life' would reject it because of the violence . Credit to both of you for balancing the positive and negative storytelling . Also great acting .
I think the real script made them lovers but Reno refused or something like that
Yup
Considering Luc Besson is a well known creep this doesn't surprise me
You really need to se The Fifth Element next, by the same director. It's insanely good. You also have Gary Oldman in it that one too, together with Bruce Willis and Milla Jovović
Mathilda: The Professional when?
This has been one of my favourite movies since I saw it years ago
Unfortunately you watched the US version of the movie. With the other cut you would have seen her other training. You would have also seen just how manipulative Matilda was with Leon. Thank you for watching this though. It is an underrated movie. Luc Besson... "Le Femme Nikita", "Lucy", "The Fifth Element", and on and on.
If you want to see more of Mathilda's training watch the international director's cut of this movie called "Leon". This version also shows more of their relationship.
And if you want to see more of Jean Reno (Leon) watch The Big Blue (1988) and Ronin with Robert Dinero.
Gary Oldman plays a scary mf'er really well.