Léon: The Professional (1994) Full Length Reaction
Added 2024-11-12 00:17:18 +0000 UTCThis is the version with runtime: 1:49:32
Hard to believe this was Natalie Portman's debut! Gary Oldman was chewing the scenery as always and I can't imagine anyone else playing Leon. I'm very curious how this version is different from other versions, let me know!
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Extended / Directors cuts are *usually* superior (IMO). They always make a lot of stupid, arbitrary cuts to movies either to make it fit into the runtime they want or for other equally idiotic reasons. The simple fact is that you always miss something when watching the short versions of movies. You never know how important that stuff was because you don't get to see it.
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2024-12-17 11:10:14 +0000 UTCEveryone talks about how the different cuts changes Leon's and Mathilda's relationship but I find it weirder how they tend to cut away a whole subplot where Mathilda becomes a career killer and helps Leon with several jobs. Also, funny story, the version I found to sync my watch-along with has hilarious PG-rated subtitles. No problems with the mass murder, police corruption or any of that, but apparently they can't write the word "fuck". There's a lot of "freaking", "airheads" and "stuff" here
Amelie W
2024-11-25 00:20:38 +0000 UTCThe longer cut was the international cut, and there are several scenes that hit the cutting room floor the US release. The US version is more disturbing because it's implied toward the end that Leon and Mathilda slept together. The international cut doesn't have this problem because you learn Leon's backstory and find out why he's having the problems he's having. It would serve us all well if you did a re-watch of the longer cut. You'd also learn about "the Ring Trick".
No name
2024-11-15 13:22:58 +0000 UTCCompletely agree. I believe the U.S. theatrical was just called The Professional if I recall correctly.
Eric Denney
2024-11-15 00:34:13 +0000 UTCJust got done watching the movie and your reaction. It was great revisiting this work of art through older eyes and mind. It always breaks me, even now, seeing Leon and Mathilda's tearful goodbye. Yeah, some of the scenes where she's crushing on Leon are very cringe, but you really put it in a good perspective as in she never had a good father figure, doesn't know what love is, and also a pretty screwed up and violent young life. But the scenes where he's trying so hard to help her through her trauma, and where she's teaching him how to read, are just poignant. The heart that shows through this movie is what makes it so special.
Over50Gamer
2024-11-14 05:09:01 +0000 UTCYeah. It still sounds weird to me.
Zapp Rowsdower
2024-11-13 16:45:36 +0000 UTCI forgot about that... yeah several scenes came back to me. The longer version is the best one but there is one scene to kinda make things extra uncomfortable. Again, it's really up to the viewer to decide. Besson's RL proclivities give me pause, but in the context of the story itself, I choose to believe it was intended for the best. Your personal mileage may vary.
Mike Fox
2024-11-13 01:23:19 +0000 UTCThat's cool. I'll have to check that out. Yeah I always thought there was room for an opportunuty for strong story and emotional journey for Portman's character. As I recall there was a lot of female assassin stuff around this time though so it may have been a flooded market. ....there's always tomorrow...
Mike Fox
2024-11-13 01:16:35 +0000 UTCIt was called "The Professional" in the United States and "Leon" everywhere else. **shrug** Now we have "Leon : The Professional"
Thomas Yanez
2024-11-12 21:40:36 +0000 UTCIt kind of did get a sequel, at least in spirit. Besson had a script for one named "Mathilda", but the film never materialized. The script was later rewritten by him as the script for "Columbiana" (Besson also was producer). It's a story of a young girl who saw her parents get killed and grew up to be an assassin.
Thomas Yanez
2024-11-12 21:35:06 +0000 UTCI have always loved this movie, and Natalie Portman proved how amazing she is in this film alone. The extended version is much better than this one, because it shows more of Leon training Matilda.
Vwlss Nvwls
2024-11-12 21:17:58 +0000 UTCGary Oldmans acting may be my favourite part of this movie. In addition to what's already mentioned, the longer cut has more training scenes where they kill a series of drug dealers and a scene where Mathilda attempts to play russian roulette but is stopped by Léon.
Scaredy-cat
2024-11-12 21:06:23 +0000 UTCThis is definitely a case where I prefer the theatrical cut. The pacing is much better and has less creepy stuff.
Patrick
2024-11-12 13:05:00 +0000 UTCLuc Besson indeed did The Fifth Element, some other notable works are Joan of Arc, La Femme Nikita and my personal favorite, Le Grand Bleu (Jean Reno is also in those last two). You'll often see Eric Serra as his composer - they've been working together since forever. I love his music, used to have a cassette tape of the Grand Bleu OST that I'd listen to on repeat. Post reaction: I think your assessment of Matilda is spot on.
Alexis
2024-11-12 05:05:54 +0000 UTCI've always enjoyed this film. It's creepy and uncomfortable in all sorts of ways but a worthy story nonetheless. As often happens, with the director's cut there are pieces I'd include and others I'd just as soon leave out. Maybe one day you can creatively edit your own version of a movie you buy and do that very thing... but I'm sure I'm infringing copyright. The director's cut had more "cleaning" scenes, including a good one about clearing a drug lab and Matilda insisting the job wasn't "clean:" until they destroyed the drugs and the drug kitchen. I don't recall the other scenes cause it's been a minute. ... Always thought this movie could use a sequel, with Portman much older, but it never happened. And of course "Shape of my Heart" by Sting is a very poignant and fitting close, both lyrically and otherwise - a permanent addition to the personal spin track.
Mike Fox
2024-11-12 03:40:09 +0000 UTCExcellent reaction to a real 90s class actioner. I think the plant represents the love he has inside him but has no outlet for it. Leon seems like a *slightly* more realistic telling of a Hit Girl and Big Daddy type of story (from Kick Ass). As you pointed out, Leon does lay down his life for Matilda. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13 In honor of Matilda & Leon, shout out for 'Matilda' (1996). Leon - OST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu2oMWr_Nkc&list=PLVhmDtCac9K8nXYyLPqmYWa8wIuXH8lIu Closing credits song by Sting - Shape of My Heart 💜 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWEEc3RipYE A similar assassin action film is USA movie 'Point of No Return' (1993) - known outside of USA and CA as 'The Assassin', it stars Bridget Fonda. 😍 It's not as great as Leon but it's still very enjoyable 90s action. This film is itself a remake of the French original 'La Femme Nikita' (1990) which is even better and classier - dir by Luc Besson. Jean Reno has a very small role in it and Anne Parillaud 😍 stars as Nikita. 42:50-ish I love that shot with Leon's head appearing over the road's horizon, walking briskly after Matilda's crazy window shooting. It appears at first he may be on his own and has abandoned her but then short-arse's head pops up seconds afterwards. 😂 1:34:18-ish Leon pulls a Dr. Lecter. Yes, Besson did The Fifth Element. 👍 You're remembering more and more directors. 😄 I'm sure you recall you've seen the Leon actor Jean Reno before in Ronin, he was part of the assembled heist crew. He was in Mission Impossible (1) also. Gary Oldham is a primary star in an ongoing UK tv series that is receiving critical and audience acclaim. It's a spy drama called 'Slow Horses' and is based on a series of popular books. It's slow-burning, dialog heavy and the disparate group of MI5 agents are all in the doghouse for various serious infractions whilst on duty. They're quite dysfunctional most of them, it's a kind of an anti-James Bond but still utterly gripping and engaging. Its Rotten Tomato aggregrate score is currently 98% from critics and 90% from audiences. I recently fin s4 which was fab. Series 5 and 6 have been greenlit. Slow Horses is on your movie request site. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/slow_horses www.jenmurrayxo.com
Jason Scade
2024-11-12 02:17:33 +0000 UTCDifferent versions of the film have different levels of ick. Apparently in the original script the girl was supposed to be significantly older but Natalie Portman auditioned blew everyone away so they cast her without really changing the script at all. A lot of her amorous expressions towards Leon are paired down in the different versions for obvious reason. Why they ever even filmed that stuff after casting child is beyond me. I think the strength of the 3 main performances still makes this one worth watching once, and in fairness to Leon he doesn't really reciprocate but it can still be pretty uncomfortable.
Kane
2024-11-12 01:48:59 +0000 UTCIt will never not be weird to me, the "full" title. I remember the advertisements when it came out, calling it "The Professional". The addition of "Leon:" is just weird to me.
Zapp Rowsdower
2024-11-12 01:12:28 +0000 UTCI remember liking this film when I was a kid but I tried watching it in my 20s and, other than Gary Oldman (who’s always great), I found it kinda lame lol. Maybe I’ll try again.
PIG
2024-11-12 00:43:17 +0000 UTCThe differences between the cuts involve Mathilda’s relationship with Leon and her clearly misplaced romantic feelings for him, which become even more problematic when you learn about the director’s history with dating young girls. The woman who plays the sex worker at the start of the film is singer/actress/model Maïwenn who was the girlfriend of the director and she was 17 at the time and had been with him for a while. She also plays the Diva in The Fifth Element and Luc started cheating on her with 19 year old Milla Jovovich who he was 20 years older than. Basically he’s a French perv and by most American legal standards, a pedo.
djKENTO
2024-11-12 00:31:13 +0000 UTCHope you and the fur babies are ok Jen.
Dylan
2024-11-12 00:28:07 +0000 UTCHope the storm didn't do any damage and the furbabies are ok and not too freaked out 🫂
Ian
2024-11-12 00:23:14 +0000 UTCEVERYONEEEE! 😤 Looking forward to this!!!
Carlos Perez
2024-11-12 00:20:03 +0000 UTCHope you're all okay. Over the moon for this post! :D Press play, early rise for work be damned.
Jason Scade
2024-11-12 00:19:14 +0000 UTCMy apologies this is posting late! We had a big storm and power kept going on and off
Jen M
2024-11-12 00:17:58 +0000 UTC
