Leon: The Professional

Hey yo...

"Benny, get me everyone..."
"What do mean 'everyone'?"

"EVERYONE!"

This was of course the unforgettable, often parodied (well, I can recall several times in Community at least) reaction of one of cinema's greatest villains: Norman Stansfield. Thus, the classic film I am reviewing today is LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL.

Leon, one of my favorite movies, is a movie with a pretty simple premise: a girl is forced to flee after a crooked cop guns down her drug dealing father and his family and a hit man takes her under his wing. The movie is made by three very strong central performances from a young Nathalie Portman, Jean Reno and the always brilliant Gary Oldman.

I've always been drawn to the bad guys in Hollywood. From Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs to Jimmy Shaker in the under rated Ransom to the Joker (both versions), the villain has captivated me; they're always the interesting ones. Stansfield is, arguably, the greatest of all the bad guys. He's neurotic, hateful, unhinged and he knows it: "What filthy... piece of shit... did I do now?"
Oldman apparently improvised a lot of his lines and actions and many of his co- stars had no clue what he was going to say or do next - perfect for such an unpredictable character.

And for all of Oldman's genius, let's not forget Portman's role who plays Mathilda like a screen veteran despite the fact that she was only 11 and it was her debut! A different, less talented kid actor and this movie would not have worked. Mathilda has somewhat amorous feelings towards her benefactor, Leon. Reno, as mentioned, is also great in this movie as the hit man who, initially, finds it very difficult to relate to people. Mathilda, understandably, makes Leon feel uncomfortable with her declarations of love. She does, however, open doors for Leon that had previously closed. He begins to have a real life.

Without spoiling the denouement, the song chosen at the end (Shape of my Heart, Sting) is perfectly chosen and is quite poignant. Interestingly, The Professional was intended to be filler while Luc Besson waited for Bruce Willis' schedule to be free so they could film The Fifth Element but The Professional turned out to be a far greater movie.

This is one of those rare films - it is perfect. I wouldn't change anything in it. It is a classic that I continually turn to, it never gets old, it is timeless. Bravo to all involved. Norman, any last words or thoughts?

10 Raging Stansfields out of 10.

El Chico Clandestino