This film by Luc Bessonn was a huge success with the audience. It is worth mentioning the names of Renault and Portman, and it will immediately become clear what kind of movie is in question, because the actors of โLeonโ played an important role in the popularity of the film. We will talk about them below.
"Leon": a brief about the film
The film was released on television in 1994 and was a stunning success with the audience. The combination of action and drama elements in the genre has greatly expanded the audience of this movie. The film was shot by Luc Besson, and this name already gives 50% popularity to the film. Sometimes it seems that Besson simply does not have bad films. In addition, Besson came to the set of "Leon" not only as a director, but also as a screenwriter. It is worth saying that the actors of Leon are also worthy of attention and awards. Roles are played with an anguish, sincere, lively and truly.
The main character of the film is Leon, a professional hired killer working for Denis's mafiazzi. He is cold-blooded and pedantic, and his only friend is a houseplant, which he carefully cares for and which protects.
Once a doorbell rings a young girl Matilda, who lives next door, will turn his whole life upside down. The girl went to the store, and, returning, found her whole family killed. The same fate awaited her, if she had not noticed the bandits in time and had not passed her door. I must say that even such difficult moments, the actors of โLeonโ show so organically that you believe and sympathize with them.
She rings the door to Leon, and he, having seen everything, hesitates to leave her to certain death and lets him in.
Matilda has nowhere else to go, she stays with Leon and very quickly realizes who he really is. Nevertheless, the girl does not leave, but asks to be taught to kill her too. From this moment begins the strange friendship of the closed cold-blooded Leon and the teenager Matilda. A tragic finale awaits them and many worries ahead.
In the film Leon Killer, actors (Jean Renault and Natalie Portman) unexpectedly sincerely show a feeling of love that arises out of place and at the wrong time. Leon, it would seem, is no longer capable of feelings. So is Matilda, it is too early for her to understand what love is. But these people penetrate each other with such genuine sincerity and warmth that their feelings seem to be taken for granted. As if it could not be otherwise.
Leon Killer: actors
The actors of this film adequately coped with the task. Jean Renault in the role of Leon is convincing, real. His game goes beyond the usual cinema. It can be seen that he simply lives this role and image. Actors "Leon" show the highest game, they do not just play, but live their roles.
Young Natalie Portman in the role of Matilda is a real treasure discovered by Besson. At the time of filming, she was only 13 years old. Her age, of course, embarrassed Besson, he was not moderate, that Natalie, still a child, could play such a difficult role. But the girl on the first tests sincerely, truly burst into tears, which won the directorโs heart and was accepted. As you can see, this was the right decision. The secret to the success of the film "Leon" is the actors who complement each other perfectly.
The role of the werewolf policeman Stensfield, who killed the parents of Matilda, was played by Harry Oldman. In the role of a villain, he looks very organic. This amazing master of reincarnation creates the image of a fallen man, destroying everything around him, not noticing that he also destroys his life. His crazy look and habits create a strong contrast with the image of the principled and in his own way noble Leon.
Rating and reviews of the film
IMDb film rating is quite high - 7.8 points. Less and fewer films are worthy of such an assessment.
As for the reviews, among many positive ones, angry responses about what kind of love can be between a 40-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl stand out. The answer is in the film itself. In the feelings of Leon and Matilda there is nothing wrong or forbidden. This love is by no means intimate or corrupting. Their feelings are the closeness of two soul mates.
Leon takes care of and protects the girl, as if he is saving his plant, which he saves a minute before his death, like Matilda.
Who should watch
It is hard to believe that there are people who still have not watched Leon. The film, whose actors are now known around the world, is popular and is included in the rating of 250 best films on IMDb. It will be interesting to those who love action games (shootouts, chases, hostages, explosions - everything is here), and lovers of dramas. And, of course, fans of Natalie Portman and Jean Renault.