Léon is a film I've watched many times and it never fails to affect. I could watch it a hundred times more just see to Léon's face as he watches Singing in the Rain; such unabashed joy. He turns around in a near empty theatre looking for someone else lost in a moment of bliss, but finds no one. Rarely has both joy and loneliness been captured so perfectly. Jean Reno's naive and emotionally challenged Léon is 12 year old Mathilda’s knight in blood soaked armour. He immediately fills an emotional void and she clings to it, starting to play house; cleaning, shopping, washing. Léon and Mathilda need each other in a very basic human way; to love and be loved. The inevitable slide towards her sexual stirrings is uncomfortable and deftly handled by Natalie Portman. Her desire for revenge seems to slip away, lost to just being and working with him, until when pushed he denies any feelings of love for her. She takes incomprehensible action to exact her vengeance on Gary Oldman’s insane DEA agent, but with an unconscious belief that Léon will save her if it all goes wrong. The “International Version” of Léon, the only I’ve watched, adds 25 minutes to the theatrical release, mostly depicting their growing relationship and brings the gravitas that makes their final scene together simply heart breaking.

This is my second time watching this film, and I have to say I appreciate it more than the first time, although that is partially because the first time I watched the cut-down US version (Damn it, Netflix). The added (or rather, restored) scenes really pull the movie together and in my opinion are integral to the movie. It was an odd experience watching it this time, because I watched it with a group of friends and acquaintances. As the movie went on, they became more and more uncomfortable because of the relationship between Leon and Mathilda. By the end of the film, all of the girls gave it a thumbs down because "the acting was good, but the story was terrible!!!" and the guys gave it about a 5/10. Only two other guys gave it a full thumbs-up. Of course, these are a lot of the same people that hated _Fight Club_. So even though they tried to make me feel bad about picking this movie, I found a new appreciation for it. I find the character of Leon absolutely fascinating and complex, same with Mathilda. Their relationship is also very well done and I really love how it was handled, especially in the international version (most of this was cut out in the US version, so avoid that if you want to watch this movie). The action is also a lot of fun and helps break up the more tender scenes. Overall, this is one of the better movies I have seen, and would recommend it to pretty much anyone who is interested in film. Some people might be turned off by the violence, but it is rated R for a reason. "What do you mean, everyone?" "**EVERYONE!**"

Decent movie, but way the fuck over rated

Leon: The Professional was a damn good movie. Great film debut by Natalie Portman. Leon and Mathilda's relationship is so sweet, and while the stylish action's great, this is obviously the highlight of the movie. Reno's simple-minded character's adorable when he's happy. Great acting by everybody involved, and the whole thing's accompanied by a fantastic score which really added well to the atmosphere.

watched for the first time today. I'm shocked about the blatant pedophilia propaganda in this movie, not subtle at all, specially for the time it was made... I saw so many people and artists doing fan arts/good reviews and I thought to myself that this film was about something great, with meaning...but no; it was an epstein initiation to culture I guess. ps: I really thought natalie portman rant about being sexualized was just an empty accusation for attention, as, sadly, we can see often; but NO....I was really wrong in this one, REALLY wrong. I'm kinda disgusted by this movie to be honest and you'll never see me thing about any other film or even porn Now I rest my case let's see how mad internet can become with this simple truth