Léon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Léon is a 1994 thriller film directed by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
Léon (released in the United States as The Professional originally and then as Léon: The Professional) is a 1994 French English-language action-thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. It stars Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman in her feature film debut. The plot centers on Léon (Reno), an Italian-American professional hitman who reluctantly takes in twelve-year-old Mathilda Lando (Portman) after her family is murdered by corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Norman Stansfield (Oldman). Léon and Mathilda form an unusual relationship as she becomes his protégée and learns the hitman's trade.
Production
Written by Luc Besson, the film was produced by Gaumont. Éric Serra composed the score. Thierry Arbogast handled the cinematography. The film runs 111 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
On a budget of $16,000,000, Léon grossed $45,284,974 worldwide at the box office. A critic consensus praised its screenplay and score.
Legacy
Its legacy endures through a remake, a sequel and a lasting franchise; later cinema cites its influence and symbolism.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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