Film Review: The Professional

Genre: Action

Released: 1994

Main Actors: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman

Director: Luc Besson

The Professional is riveting from the opening action scenes where we see Léon, played by Jean Reno, in his role as assassin. Violent scenes continue with the slaughter of a family by a corrupt cop, Stansfield, played by Gary Oldman. Anxiety rises when he kills a small boy without remorse or pity. This has the effect of providing an immediate emotional connection to the boy's 12 year old sister Mathilda, played by Natalie Portman, who arrives home to witness the destruction of her family.

She rings her neighbour's doorbell, pleading for him to let her in so she can escape the massacre. The neighbour is Léon, a loner. He watches her through the peephole in a dilemma whether or not to open the door and this is the beginning of the complication for him. In this call to action he takes her on and his life alters irreversibly for better and worse.

Intrigue is created by their subsequent interactions. Léon's cold, hard exterior as a 'cleaner' begins to show cracks as he warms to Mathilda. Mathilda is a fascinating character, precocious and entertaining, and adds complications as well as comic relief with her antics. Suspenseful scenes mixed with amusing twists makes for an interesting rhythm and the pace is perfect.

In the final confrontation and showdown between Léon and Stansfield, Léon's focus shifts to the future of Mathilda. The scene is emotive, but not clichéd, then the suspense is raised again as we wait to see whether Mathilda will be given a second chance at life.

The Professional is visually absorbing; the main characters are appealing and achieve an interesting chemistry. To those people who have claimed that this chemistry borders on paedophilia I say go look the word up in a dictionary. This is nothing but normal teenage female infatuation and fantasy, and nothing more. The controversial director's cut which is available on DVD expands on that chemistry and is recommended for those who enjoy good characterisation as well as action.

As always, Luc Besson delivers a film that takes an unusual look at events and gives the viewer a different perspective that deviates from common 'been done to death' ideas. Refreshing as ever, he doesn't shy away from confrontational themes. My advice: if you prefer safe, formulaic film content then don't watch it.