Considered a masterpiece of French cinema, Léon is in the Netflix catalogue. The film receives the name of “The Professional” in its version for the Brazilian public. In addition to having a good evaluation, the work is surrounded by controversy.
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Polemics of Léon – The Professional
The film tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who decides to take revenge for the death of her parents. For this, she has the instructions of a professional killer named Léon.
The controversy surrounding the film involves the name of French director Luc Besson. According to The Washington Post, the protagonist of the film would be a representation of actress Maïwenn.
Besson would have had a romantic relationship with Maïwenn when she was 12 years old. At the time, he was 29 years old and would have deepened the relationship when the girl turned 15. The following year, she would have become pregnant and given birth to the couple's daughter.
According to the actress herself, the plot of the film would be inspired by her own story. However, the critics did not make the connection with the facts at the time of its release.
official synopsis
“In the New York neighborhood of Little Italy, professional killer Léon sets up shop, hired to intimidate the head of drug trafficking, which he does efficiently.
Next to him lives Mathilda, a twelve-year-old daughter of a drug dealer who is in conflict with Stansfield, a corrupt police officer in the narcotics division.
Stansfield commands the slaughter of Mathilda's entire family. The girl escapes the slaughter, as she had gone shopping, and upon learning what had happened, she takes refuge with Léon. The latter agrees to protect her and teach her how to work as an assassin, as Mathilda is determined to take revenge, especially for the death of her younger brother.
After receiving instructions from Léon, one day she decides to put into practice her plan to kill Stansfield. The policeman manages to thwart the plan and keeps Mathilda prisoner. Léon manages to free her and from then on Stansfield and his men start chasing him..”
The Professional (Leon)
Release: September 14, 1994 (France);
Director: Luc Besson;
Original song: Shape of My Heart;
Cast:
– Jean Reno-Leon;
– Gary Oldman – Stansfield;
– Natalie Portman – Mathilda;
– Danny Aiello – Tony;
– Peter Appel – Malky;
– Michael Badalucco — father of Mathilda;
– Ellen Greene — mother of Mathilda;
– Elizabeth Regen — sister of Mathilda;
–Carl J. Matusovich — Mathilda's brother;
– Maïwenn – “blonde girl”.
