Leon Reviews

Brilliant

A film about an elderly hitman who takes a 12 year old orphan girl under his wing, sparking an ambiguous relationship in which the pair co-habit and, among other things, play 'dress-up' - in today's climate, Daily Mail readers would probably have raised an uproar. However, despite the deliberately blurred boundaries which exist between the central couple, this film is exceptionally touching, and both lead performances are incredibly moving and sympathetic.

As the eponymous Leon, Jean Reno convinces as both a fumbling man-child with no social skills, and a clinically effective hitman, performing jobs with a lethal detachment. Luc Besson handles the mix between action and burgeoning relationship with great skill, and the final third of the film has an unforgettable emotional punch.

So mixed

Gary Oldman is brilliant in this, and so is Jean Reno, in fact young Natalie Portman does a great job to....

BUT (yeah it was coming) this film made me feel uncomfortable the whole way through. It seemed to always be on the verge of turning into a paedophilic flick! The relationship between Portman and Reno is just.....wrong!

Yet at the same time, it's a good film. Very mixed emotions about this one!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Tres bon!

Jean Reno excels in the greatest hitman movie of all time accompanied by an amazing score.

A beautiful love story

No competition for Erich Segal but one of the most touching action movies and love stories. If you appreciate Luc Besson's movies this one is a must-see. Start with this version, then try to get hold of the Uncut International Version, released in the U.S. (not the European), with a running time of 133 mins. and great additional footage! You will love it even more.

Rubbish

Turned it off halfway through. The acting and charaters were not believable. It just became a bit too silly to be taken seriously.

Wernt Brilliant!!!

Ok so here it is, I watched this film years ago and saw it on here!!! I thought I'd get it remembering it was good however after I watched it I was seriously dissapointed!!! It seemed too short, not enough action or story plot for that matter, infact its one of the most cheaply thrown together films I've seen!!! Some of the things he does in the film are quite good and interesting as it takes you into the brain of a hitman!!! On the other hand theres things he does thats just plain stupid, things that no one with any common sense would do!!! If your a bit (COUGH) how could I put it? slow, then this film will just tear your brain in 2, you wont know what the hells going on!!!

One of my top 5 movies of all time. Could watch it again and again. Great acting, action, suspense, a bit of French cinema style. Good, non-Hollywood ending.

Watch it, you wont regret it.

Save yourself for the director's cut

Leon as released here and in the states is a trully excellent stylish thriller featuring a fantastic Jean Reno and a never better Portman.

The original version as intended by the director is twenty minutes longer and a masterpiece. There is no comparison. A whole lot darker and more disturbing this is truly a love story and thematically quite a distance from the excised version here for rent. I suggest you either wait for the British release or get hold of a German copy, where the censors had no such problems with it.

A classic from Luc Besson. Jean Reno and Natalie Portman are excellent in the roles of HItman and 10 year old adoptee. Gary Oldman is as usual weird, but compelling as the corrupt and disturbing violent cop. <P>

The plot centres around the relationship between Leon (Reno) and Matilda (Portman) after her family is killed by Oldman's corrupt police squad. Matilda on discovering that Leon is a hitman, plots her revenge for the killings and a relationship between the two develops.<P>

As well as violence, there are many touching moments and the film beautifully shot with some great scenes - the camera following the explosion through the doorway towards the end of the film is awesome!

Outstanding!

Not enough praise possible - the filming, directing, and acting match the outstanding plot.