Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

The Professional

also known as “The Cleaner,” “Léon,” “Leon—Der Profi,” “El Perfecto asesino,” “O Profissional,” “Leon, a profi,” “El Profesional (Léon),” “Le Professionnel,” “Sevginin gücü
MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for scenes of strong graphic violence, and for language.

Reviewed by: Taran Gingery
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Length: 1 hr. 50 min.
Year of Release: 1994
USA Release: November 18, 1994
Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures Copyright, Columbia Pictures
Relevant Issues
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Murder in the Bible

How does viewing violence in movies affect the family? Answer

Anger in the Bible

Featuring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel, Willi One Blood, Don Creech, Keith A. Glascoe, Randolph Scott, Michael Badalucco, Ellen Greene, Elizabeth Regen, Carl J. Matusovich, Frank Senger, See all »
Director Luc Besson
Producer Claude Besson, John Garland, Bernard Grenet, Luc Besson, Patrice Ledoux
Distributor Distributor: Columbia Pictures. Trademark logo.Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures

“A perfect assassin. An innocent girl. They have nothing left to lose except each other. He moves without sound. Kills without emotion. Disappears without trace. Only a 12 year old girl… knows his weakness.”

Leon (Jean Reno) is a professional killer. He knows his job well and executes every mission with skill and precision. He only has one rule: he will not kill women or children. Then one day, he witnesses a terrible tragedy: his next-door neighbor’s entire family is killed by corrupt police officer Stansfield (Gary Oldman), leaving only the 12-year-old daughter Matilda (Natalie Portman) alive. Leon takes the grief-stricken girl under his wing, albeit reluctantly, but by her request, and begins to teach her the ropes of his trade, while she in turn learns that the revenge she desperately wants may not be the best thing.

Let me begin by saying that, artistically, this is possibly one of the best movies I’ve seen. Luc Besson’s direction and cinematography, as well as the score are flawless. Reno’s performance, as the tenderhearted killer (now there’s two words you don’t see together very often), who only drinks milk and has a soft spot for children and potted plants is the film’s heart and soul. Portman’s first major role is some of her best work, and Oldman chews every scene as the ruthlessly impulsive, constantly high, and classical-music-loving villain. The screenplay is moving and at times, very funny.

Unfortunately, the content warrants this as a film only for adults. Matilda is a rebellious preteen who smokes, is disrespectful towards adults, and uses strong profanity. However, it should be noted that under Leon’s guidance, she drops all of these habits by the end of the film. She also becomes infatuated with Leon, and, at one point, tells a man that she is his lover, rightfully shocking him. However, there is nothing sexual about the relationship between Leon and Matilda, and their bond becomes more of a strong father-daughter one—something she never had, as her father was physically abusive.

Speaking of violence, that is the film’s largest stumbling block. Throughout the film, Leon takes out several baddies, as well as people on different assignments, in bloody fashion. The massacre of Matilda’s family is also graphic and bloody. Stansfield and his men constantly use foul language, which is not quite as disturbing as Matilda’s usage, but, all said, there are at least 20 f-words spoken and that many of s-words, if not more. God’s name is also taken in vain. Also, in an odd game of charades, that actually showcases Portman’s best moment, Matilda dresses in revealing attire and sings Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” (Leon is stumped and quite startled), and elsewhere, she comes across her father and stepmother starting to have sex, clothed and standing up.

It’s a shame that this content had to so strong, although the violence and profanity were not quite unexpected in an R-rated movie about a killer. The movie would still be just as strong if it was more restrained. And the movie is strong. The final message is the importance of self-sacrifice, and the futility of seeking revenge, for in the process, one can lose everything one holds dear. However, one has to wade through the bad to get to the good, and, so, in spite of the film’s cinematic value, strong characters and some good messages, this film is only for discerning adults.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Mild


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Neutral—My name is Victoria, and I am 20 years old. I never watch R rated movies, simply because I have no interest in them. Because of being a Jean Reno fan, I thought I would give this movie a go. I must say that I was pleasently surprised. I was expecting to turn it off within the first 10 min. or so. I ended up watching the entire thing, and even want my mother to see it.

I watched as a man (Leon) and a little girl (Matilda) really found what they both needed. Each other. Not having a close relationship with my father I enjoyed watching there father, daughter relationship blossom. This movie would have been my absolute favorite movie had it not been for the language. Which compared to some of the other R rated movies I have been unwillingly exposed to, I did not consider it to be that bad. Excluding the usage of GD. Which I feel is never needed in any film or conversation for that matter.

I would say that the beginning and the end is the worst part of the film. The beginning for the language and the sexual content. The end due to the most violence throughout the film. There is a considerable amount of violence and language throughout the entire film, but things are rellativley tollerable through the middle. At least I thought so. I think this film would have been just as good and well made had it been PG-13. Unfortunately it isn't. I feel that the critique above is very acceptable and adequate.

This is, overall, a very well made R rated movie. May I also add that, unless I was not paying close attention, I never once heard a curse word from Jean Reno.

Being a christian, I feel that there is absolutely no need for rated R movies. Hearing people curse, watching excessive violence and smut, I think is no way to be entertained. If you are wanting to see a R rated movie, I think you should see this one, hands down. It is not just about violence. There is something very sympathetic, and compassionate about it. Thank you for your time.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Victoria, age 20 (USA)