Movie #34 – Leon (1994) - 110 min, cert 18.
Mathilda (Natalie Portman), the 12-year-old daughter of a drug dealer, returns home from the shops one day to find her entire family has been slaughtered and the gang responsible are still there. She seeks sanctuary with her neighbour, Leon (Jean Reno) who happens to be a professional hitman. She keeps house for him, and in return, he looks after her and teaches her the skills of a killer so she can get her revenge on the men who wiped out her family.
It’s certainly a well-made film, and the action sequences are very exciting and well-choreographed, if a little unlikely at times. The relationship between Portman and Reno is carefully handled. Mathilda clearly has a major crush on the older Leon, but he thankfully manages to avoid crossing the line. The acting is very good, particularly from the two lead actors. Portman shows maturity beyond her years, and Reno’s performance is wonderfully understated.
Score – 7/10. I enjoyed it but I’m not sure it really warrants a place so high on the list.
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