Hawk and I just watched Leon (aka The Professional) for the first time the other night. Yes, I am aware that this movie came out in 1994 and that every other person on the planet, it seems, has seen it except me. I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes.
But WOW! What a fucking movie. LOVED it. We watched the European Director’s Cut version, and from what I understand that adds quite a bit to the story. The acting is just incredible. It was Natalie Portman’s first movie, and she was phenomenal. She is one of my favorite actresses, but after seeing this, I may have to say that it’s her best work, and she was only eleven years old at the time. Jean Reno was perfect as Leon, and Gary Oldman is so good at playing psychotic it’s a little scary.
It was such an amazing love story. The relationship between Mathilda and Leon is so touching, so pure. Yes, Leon is a grown man and yes, Mathilda is a twelve year old girl, but the two of them seem to understand that they are soul mates. Plus, Leon is such a decent guy (despite the fact that he is a hitman) that he would never take advantage of Mathilda anyway. But he sees that she understands him better than anyone ever has, or ever will.
After I saw it, I was telling the girls at work that this movie has definitely made my Top Five favorite movies list now. And then I had to think about what my top five movies actually are, which is really hard. Because one of my favorite movies is Billy Madison with Adam Sandler, but that’s not really the kind of movie you say is one of your “Top Five Films of All Time”. And I really really love Serenity, 40 Year Old Virgin, Moulin Rouge and The Matrix, but I’m not sure if I can say I like them enough to be in the top five. Then there’s sentimental favorites like Say Anything (now who doesn’t love this movie), Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas (my family’s favorite Christmas movie) , The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (another family favorite - yes, I know that’s a bit strange) and River’s Edge (reminds me of sleepovers with my best friends in high school).
But I think this is my list (in no particular order):
Leon (aka The Professional)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I know this is cheating, because it’s actually three films, but I don’t care)
Real Genius
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (the original version, before George Lucas fucked with it)
All The President’s Men
What’s your list?
