Director: Luc Besson,
Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello,
Running Time: 132 Minutes (Director’s Cut), 110 Minutes (Theatrical Cut)
Certificate: 18
Extras: Jean Reno and Eric Serra Interviews
20 years on and revisiting LEON is much like revisiting an old friend, it’s very much the classic you remember, but also seems to have changed in very subtle ways. Don’t fear though, if anything, LEON seems even more grand and spectacular as it not only stands up today, but still trounces all over many films that have been and gone since.
Jean Reno, in a career best, plays the titular child minded assassin who takes the young Mathilda (Portman) under his wing after her family is slaughtered by corrupt cops lead by Gary Oldman’s Stansfield. After giving us an almost supernatural opening, in which Leon simply blends in with the shadows and seems inhuman, Luc Besson gradually peels away at his protagonist until he is a fully developed and beautiful character.
Playing Leon as a simpleminded assassin who finds it difficult to read and seems to lack the concept of material goods, Reno gets to the very core of great acting. Despite being a ruthless killer, it’s impossible not be charmed by Leon. His attempts at cheering up Mathilda with a pig shaped oven glove and the way his face lights up at SINGING IN THE RAIN, are just two of the many times we see a young and scared boy in the body of a well trained hitman. Supporting Reno is another career highlight in the form of Oldman’s Stansfield. Used sparingly, but always to powerful effect, Stansfield is an uncontrollable psychopath with little regard for human life. Whether screaming “EVERYONE!” or riffing on his love for Mozart, he is always terrifying. The scene in which one his henchman tries to remove him from a murder scene reminds you of someone taking care of a drunk friend or confused child.
Besson manages to fill the entire film with heart, but often a very risqué and uncomfortable heart. Mathilda, played by 12 year old Natalie Portman in her break out role, falls in love with the much older Leon and (in the Director’s Cut at least) discusses wanting to have sex with. Although it flirts with difficult themes, Leon’s innocence keeps the film enjoyable but also thoughtful. Adding further life to sequences are a wonderful score from Eric Serra and a good choice of pop-songs to accompany scenes.
Filled with action when it needs to be, and memorable shots including a tracking shot of an explosion and a high angle shot of Oldman’s reaction after some substance abuse, the film is just wonderfully constructed on every level. It’s a modern day fairytale romance with the mixed but balanced pacing that many films lack. As we see Leon become more human, he also becomes more vulnerable, and what we’re left with is a remarkable film that looks great on Blu-ray, but needed more than just two interviews as extras.
[usr=5]LEON is releaed on Blu-ray on 3rd February.
