Film Of The Week #3 - Leon

Karl Hungus

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110413/

What can I say about this absolute magnificent film? It's cinematic perfection, without a doubt one of the greatest movies ever made, in my humble opinion. From the cast, to the soundtrack, to the action, every facet of this movie is brilliant. I cannot count how many times I've seen this film, it's one of those truly great films that you can just keep on watching over and over again.

I'd urge anyone who hasn't seen this remarkable movie, to run out and buy it.

User45701

Ye i agree savage film
i dont think i remember 12 angry men but oldboy was amazing aswell.
Your doing well with the list so far, actually i might watch leon tonite

faceman

Top class film, also a quite a beautiful piece of art. I was a wee bit disapointed in the director's cut though as it suggested alot of sexual undertones that arent there in the theatrical version.

Leon has a massive emotional hole in his life. But note how he more and more accepts matilda, the more he exposes himself. Without giving anything away, the shower scene mid way showing how his inner emotional hole is being filled while his physical exterior now displays a hole)

The one scene thats a bit dodge. Matilda on the bed staring at the ceiling rubbing her tummy. What 12 year old pre puberty girl would do such a thing???

one of my fav scenes is when leon and matilda checks into the hotel and how the music adds to his anxiety and stops when he sits down.

bluto63

Saw this movie a while back and thought it was pretty good.

So far the list is pretty good. Have yet to be recommended something though that I havn't seen

ObeyGiant

How have we gotten this far in and noone has specifically mentioned Gary Oldman's amazing, bewildering performance as Norman Stansfield? He doesn't steal scenes as much as he steals the entire movie. By far, the best crooked cop ever put on screen - as easy as it would be to just give a flat-out powerful performance here, Oldman manages to inject a sense of vulnerability to the character. It's like he's just over his head and doesn't really mean to do the things he does, he knows he's a complete prick ("What filthy piece of **** did I do now?") but at the same time, he kind of enjoys it.

They really should have changed the name of this movie from "Leon" to "Stansfield".

Sad Professor

faceman wrote:

I was a wee bit disapointed in the director's cut though as it suggested alot of sexual undertones that arent there in the theatrical version.

I couldn't disagree more. I think the director's cut is much superior to the butchered theatrical cut. Besson only made the changes to appease dumb american audiences who went into hysterics at the first test screening. By toning down the relationship between Leon and Mathilda he also robbed it of much of it's complexity and clarity, leaving it much more ambiguous, which imo actually makes it more suggestive.

Not to mention they cut out what was probably the best (and most controversial) scene in the movie, which starts with Mathilda trying to seduce Leon and ends with him telling her how his girlfriend died and how he became a hit-man. It provided a key turning point in their relationship and is probably the heart of the whole story. It's a heartbreaking scene which was cut from the theatrical release for the sake of political correctness.

I've never really understood the controversy over the relationship portrayed in the film. I mean if it had featured Leon trying to seduce Mathilda I can understand it being an issue but the filmmakers were very careful to present Leon as innocent and naive despite what he does for a living. It's Mathilda, street wise and mature beyond her years, who is infatuated with him. He never pursues her or accepts any of her advances.

Anyway a truly excellent film and would definitely make my list of desert island movies. Like Karl said, if you haven't seen it - go get it now!

I'd recommend getting the 2-disc German tin version, which is on cdwow for £9.99:

http://www13.cd-wow.com/detail_results_2.php?product_code=18331&subcat=region2

I'd avoid the american dvd - its superbit but I've heard there's some big problems with the transfer.

BopNiblets

Agreed, directors cut is excellent, the extended training scenes, Mathilda drinking wine or champagne in the restaurant, the ring trick...
One of the first films I bought on DVD.

In Luc Besson news, I read he's attached to the Hitman movie as a co-producer, which is awesome, however I've read the following from here:

BESSON SAYS NO TO LEON 2

"Acclaimed French film-maker LUC BESSON has ruled out a sequel to hit movie LEON in a bid to end the countless script offers he's received.
The director has been flooded with possible follow-ups to the 1994 smash starring JEAN RENO and a young NATALIE PORTMAN but insists they've only served to put him off the project for good.
He says, "No, I don't think so.
"People say 'Oh, I've written the sequel - here! I'll send you the script.' And I basically send a lawyer and say 'F*** you! It's not yours'. It's not love. It's stealing. These guys are just thieves that's all.
"If we do a sequel, I will write the sequel. I don't need anyone." ..."

BAH! I think it would be awesome if he does one, Natalie Portman as a sexy Cleaner sounds too good to be true, I really hope he reconsiders, these muppets need to stop sending him scripts!

Besson is one of my favourite film makers.

Leon is his masterpiece and I can't recommend it enough. Every aspect is perfect, and Besson's recant comment that he won't direct anymore films after the Arthur trilogy.

kleefarr

Watched this film about seven or so years ago.

As said before, A Great film, highly recommended!

Redundo

Besson is a director whose movies often never quite click the way they should. Leon though is his masterpiece, it all came right for him with this one. As others have said; story, actors, music, action, drama and particularly cinematography all work sublimely in this film.

It's definately one of those very rare films that get better the more times you see it.

Gary Oldman is superb as Stansfield, my favourite movie villain by far and away. In any other movie he would have stolen the show, but in this one I think Gene Reno and Natalie Portman do more then enough to keep the focus of the movie squarely on themselves.

LundiMardi

One of my favourites. Awesome.

Carcharodon

Redundo wrote:

Besson is a director whose movies often never quite click the way they should. Leon though is his masterpiece, it all came right for him with this one. As others have said; story, actors, music, action, drama and particularly cinematography all work sublimely in this film.

It's definately one of those very rare films that get better the more times you see it.

Gary Oldman is superb as Stansfield, my favourite movie villain by far and away. In any other movie he would have stolen the show, but in this one I think Gene Reno and Natalie Portman do more then enough to keep the focus of the movie squarely on themselves.

Would have to agree with everything here.
Oldman sets the benchmark for the crazy neurotic villan
Reno suits the role perfectly, was diapointed with the roles i saw him play in later films like Ronin and MI.
Portman burts onto the screen in probably her best performance, well my opinion is probably based more on the film than her.
Thought just entered my head, which do i prefer more Leon or Heat, tough choice...

Karl Hungus

Sad Professor wrote:

I'd recommend getting the 2-disc German tin version, which is on cdwow for £9.99:

http://www13.cd-wow.com/detail_results_2.php?product_code=18331&subcat=region2

Damnit... I'll have to go ordering that soon.

Geff

Amazing movie alright. Definetly in my all time top 5.

Acquired the Extended Version recently have to watch it.

Beruthiel

I was given a painting of myself with a flower pot in one hand and a gun in the other. I think this suggests how much it was known that I loved this film.