FIRST TIME WATCHING * Leon (1994) * MOVIE REACTION!! 

Who loves Gary Oldman? EVERYONE!!

I think you get it, Ash. Matilda has an inappropriate attraction to Leon, which he doesn't reciprocate but he is too emotionally immature to know how to express that disapproval. So he's uncomfortable. But Matilda just has an early childhood crush and he doesn't act on it. It's not creepy because Leon is good to her in an appropriate way.

"He's dressed like a New York Aladdin." Ok, that one genuinely got me.

The man who played Benny (Keith A. Glascoe), one of the crooked DEA agents in this movie was a NYC firefighter who died rescuing people from the South Tower during 9/11

Natalie Portman was 13 when this film was released (which presumably means she was 12 when they were filming). It was the first film she acted in and it was really how the world discovered her remarkable talent.

Mathilda: “Is life always this hard or is it just when you’re a kid?” Leon: “Always like this”

Leon was the first MALE to be nice to her and protect her .... I believe she did love him

I'm glad you guys at least understood Matilda. She is a CHILD. Who's never had love before. She misunderstood the difference in types of love. Also combined with her oversexualized upbringing. Then you have Leon who basically only knows how to be a hit man with basically 0 social skills. You can see he knew her love was misunderstood but didn't know how to explain it while accepting her love but also showing her the parental love she actually needed. I LOVE this movie and it's been so annoying watching other people on RU-vid and they don't get this and blame Leon and call him a bad guy/pedo even though he never reciprocated her confused kind of love but still showed that he loved her. Great reaction guys, someone who finally understood and didn't try to throw Leon under the bus for it.

Gary Oldman's "EVERYONE!!!!" line was a big focus of the TV ads for this, understandably because Gary Oldman was so crazy and magnetic in this movie, which the line was also not scripted. Also, Natalie Portman's performance while waiting for Leon to open the door is freaking amazing. Her fear cast shadows and her on-screen debut was so brilliant.

Gary Oldmans wife: Who should we invite for dinner tonight? Gary Oldman: EVERYONE!!!

La Femme Nikita, 1990, is the movie that you are looking for.

The "please open the door" scene was apparently her first ever scene! There was a draft script at least of Leon 2 where future Mathilda was kind of an old depressed drunk hitman.

This film is like fine art, in that it invokes one into a state of being uncomfortable... jarring you out of your space, then it delivers some of the best acting ever. Great gem of a movie. ❤❤

Finally! Gary Oldman gives my favourite movie villain performance of all-time in this as the deranged DEA agent Norman Stansfield, he's incredible.

Imagine Natalie Portman doing the sequel for this today.

Jean Reno is certifiable OG in this banger. Iconic. “Ever seen The Professional? Well, I can clean.” - Lil Kim

40:16 - "Whoa, he didn't even need a pill for that!" 😂😂😅 That was fire.

there is a movie with this actor called " wasabi " , a french cop who goes to japan when he hears his ex died there - it's fucking hilarious, highly recommend it

As a 90s kid, i was terrified of Gary Oldman, he played a lot of great villains before he did the Harry Potters and the Nolan Batmans.

Gary Oldman’s musings about Beethoven are even funnier when you consider he actually played Beethoven in “Immortal Beloved”, released just a couple months after “Leon” 😁

Fans of this film have been literally hoping for decades that Luc Besson and Natalie Portman will one day reteam for a sequel where we see a grown up Mathilda as an assassin.

What an ending!! No, NOT the explosion but planting out the houseplant for rooting...

no one ever mentions this but i am 10000% leon is autistic. he is the best assassin (they don't call him leon the professional for no reason lol) and we know people on the spectrum can very skilled in a specific area. he is extremely smart and astute even though he can't read. he eats and drinks the same thing, he has a specific routine with watering his plants, etc. that's why i never questioned him or matilda or it being weird. he is just socially awkward and clearly hasn't been around children (or people) that much. and like Hannah mentioned he is extremely childlike. i never saw their relationship as inappropriate. he is clearly uncomfortable with her advances, but he doesn't have the vocabulary or emotional intelligence to response properly. matilda is a traumatized child with daddy issues, she doesn't know how she feels or why she does the things she does. she wanted to feel safe and taken care of. love isn't always romantic but in her traumatized mind its all jumbled up. she never saw a positive example of familial or romantic love. he was nice to her and protected her, when every other person she's known has hurt her (including her own family). she constantly pushes the boundaries, almost testing leon to see how he will react. that's why she acted the way she did because she doesn't know any better. this storyline is adjacent to man on fire (this one tip toes the line more but the concept is the same). i love leon lol he's a simple man who enjoys simple pleasures. also gary oldman for the win but he is always a w lol he is a PHENOMENAL actor but this and harry potter have always been my favorite roles of his. he can truly do anything. and credit to young natalie portman this is such a complex and complicated character and she nailed it! truly a star born to act.

Nice. Another example of why the 90's were the golden age of film. An amazing movie, and Gary Oldman is genius...

Gary Oldman’s pill is Librium. Used to treat anxiety, insomnia and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and/or drug abuse.

you guys have no idea how much i have been waititng to see your guys reaction to this flawless film.

Portman was also in HEAT, another timeless classic made the year after this one. You gotta do it guys.

"toss" the appartment, not torch. Tossing it, means searching it, turning it upside down to find something hidden.

Fantastic performances. Gary Oldman is a chame(Leon), symbolism 😂 Jean Reno is a killer with a child like persona (hence the love story) and Natalie Portman was perfectly cast Next-Ronin - Jean Reno, Robert de Niro. Best car chases

Watch “Natural Born Killers “!!!!!!! symbolism

The moment where Leon puts the gun in Mathilda, is because Leon didn’t feel capable of having a bond with Mathilda, let alone taking care of her. And I’m glad you reacted to the extended cut, it adds a lot of details like: Leon’s past Mathilda and Leon’s relationship growth The ring trick with the granade, a cool callback to the third act. Simply it’s an awesome movie, and Sting’s song is a banger. 37:45 shout out to Gary, that scene was improvised

Luc Bresson later went on to make 'La Femme Nikita.' Whilst not a "Part 2" or anything, Luc said he kind of imagined this film as the continuation of the Matilda character.

One of the best movies most have never seen! Luc Besson is a genius! You two are an absolutely a riot!

Thanks for another great reaction to a classic. Both of you are so much fun. I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Luc Besson in 2011 and he signed my DVD copy of Leon. He spoke about how amazing it was to work with Gary Oldman both in this and The Fifth Element. He said he would do plenty of takes even if they weren't needed just to watch what Gary would do each time as personal enjoyment for him.

"You don't like Beethoven" line is funny as Gary portrayed him in "Immortally beloved" which is a great film based on the composer's life and Oldman plays..Beethoven 😎

Jean Reno is one of the greatest actors ever. I wish people here talked about his performance more.

“Besson's second wife was actress and director Maïwenn Le Besco, whom he started dating when he was 32 and she was 15. They married in late 1992 when Le Besco, 16, was pregnant with their daughter Shanna, who was born on 3 January 1993. Le Besco later claimed that their relationship inspired Besson's film Léon (1994), where the plot involved the emotional relationship between an adult man and a 12-year-old girl.”

Jean Reno, gary oldman, Natalie Portman, Benny (R.I.P Keith A. Glascoe) did a fantastic Job in this movie

The director supposedly did write a sequel to this story. Natalie Portman wasn't interested and it kept being rejected. Then Zoey Saldana got ahold of the screenplay and it was rewritten as Colombiana as a star vehicle for her. So we kinda got a sequel. Leon/The Professional is a 90s classic. That really made international stars of the leads, especially Natalie Portman. She became a household name. I can still remember seeing Leon at the movies. This was such a surprise of a good movie. We walked out loving this movie and still do to this day. I'm so glad people are still discovering what a good movie Leon is, and will continue to make new fans.

Natalie Portman was only 12 years old when this movie was being filmed… she turned 13 before the US release date.

I loved the Joker comment. Oldman would have been a fantastic Joker back in the day.. Speaking of children, both Leon and Stan were childlike. Leon with his innocence, and Stan a spoiled brat throwing tantrums. After his suit was ruined Stan stomped like a preschooler who was told in toy isle mom would not buy him a new toy. Stan's men were scared to death of him. He was so brilliantly unhinged and Oldman killed it. Matilda was in many ways more mature. Glad you both did not freak out too much about the puppy love. You were both smart enough to see this was Matilda's POV, not Leon's Some reactors would just repeat how uncomfortable this movie made them over and over again. Great reaction!

Underrated film. I remember working at the theater in 94 and watching this at 19 and it was so damn good. Definitely in my top 10 of all time.

One of these days, Ash is going to stumble onto a symbolism so hard that he won't actually be able to be wrong. I'm here for it!

"Yeah, but he ruined my suit."

To see a girl who has grown up to be a professional killer you can watch "Colombiana". Or if you prefer to see Jean Reno in similar roles you can watch "Wasabi" or "Ronin".

You were right to think it creepy - the director (who is a creep irl) wanted the characters to sleep together, but Jean Reno refused to do it.

Hey this is a classic. Love watching y'all. Much love from San Antonio

The acting in this movie was crazy perfect!

Luc Besson was inspired to write based on his relationship with his wife. He was 29 and she was 12 when they met. He married her at age 33 when she was 16 and pregnant with their child.

I was maybe 14 when i saw this film, not much older than Matilda, and I remember asking my older brother, "Why does their relationship seem super inappropriate?" He said, "French film." Thats all he had to say 😂

This picture is a masterpiece from Luc Besson. deep drama with actors who have become legends. This is not entertainment like Hitman or John Wick. this is art.

I knew that there was something wrong about this film. Turns out it is the director. The age difference between him and his wife is stark. He started dating her officially when she was 15( presumably to avoid getting into legal troubles. But if there were no courts he'd have started earlier). Mind due he was 35. He married her at 16 after getting her pregnant. This movie was inspired from this relationship, "Besson's( the director's) second wife was actress and director Maïwenn Le Besco, whom he started dating when he was 32 and she was 15. They married in late 1992 when Le Besco, 16, was pregnant with their daughter Shanna, who was born on 3 January 1993. Le Besco later claimed that their relationship inspired Besson's film Léon (1994), where the plot involved the emotional relationship between an adult man and a 12-year-old girl." "Maïwenn, Luc Besson's sixteen year old wife at the time of filming, says the film was inspired by their relationship. She says "When Luc Besson did Léon, the story of a 13-year-old girl in love with an older man, it was very inspired by us"; Besson met Maïwenn when she was 12 and he was 29, and he officially started dating her when she was 15, the legal age of consent in that country. Besson married her at age 33 when she fell pregnant at 16. At the time of the accusations, Natalie Portman discussed her "complicated feelings" about the film.."( these are from Wikipedia) But from sbs. com/au..."Mathilda falls in love with him. In the long version (found here) on this really superb looking DVD release from Madman, there are quite a few scenes included that US preview audiences rejected; like Mathilda getting drunk in a restaurant and another where she suggests she become Leon’s 'lover’. According to producer Patrice Ledoux, interviewed in a short 'making of’ doco included on the DVD’s extra features, this kind of content, no, this kind of relationship, was in no way mysterious to the French filmmakers of Leon. Maïwenn Le Besco (she plays a bit part in the film, a prostitute) who was married to Besson for a time, says in the same featurette that Leon is about her relationship with Besson. She says they met while she was still an adolescent, and eventually they started dating when she was fifteen. Still, the relationship in the film stays 'innocent’ (as well as frankly a bit icky). The 'making of’ reveals that at the urgings of Portman and her very protective parents, some of Besson’s more 'extreme’ beats concerning the film’s central relationship were excised at script stage; like a scene where Leon accidentally walks in on Mathilda as she takes a shower (he’s embarrassed, she’s oblivious!)."

I had to pause the video when the two of you kept saying 'don't say it, don't say it'! I couldn't stop laughing!! You two are awesome!

One of my forever favorite films. A masterwork by Luc Besson. Utterly brilliant acting by Gary Oldman, Jean Reno, and Natalie Portman. Honestly I think it was one of the most phenomenal child performances ever, especially for a first time movie. Portman was extraordinary. I hold her in the same level as I do Dakota Fanning and Haley Joel Osment as phenomenal child actors. She followed this performance with another compelling one as Pacino's troubled stepdaughter in the classic film, Heat. Her movie filmography is extraordinary, including films like Black Swan, Jackie, Annihilation, and Garden State. I have heard she is great in May December (2023) on Netflix. Have to watch that soon. I adore her as a person and actress. I am a huge fan of Jean Reno. Utterly enjoyable and talented actor. He was brillant in the movie Ronin with Robert De Niro. I've heard he is awesome in Wasabi too. Have to watch that soon. And my Lord, Gary Oldman. Wow! What an extraordinary perfomance, as always. One of the all-time great actors of our times. I like him in everything he does. This has to be one of my most favorite movie response videos. My Lord, the two of you are so awesome, so genuine, so funny, so adorable in your responses to the film and to each other. You are such an utterly gorgeous couple as well. I think Ash is one of the most beautiful and adorable persons I have ever seen. I will probably watch this video many more times. So enjoyable. 😊❤️👍

"All the gear, no idea" is actually the best quote to come out of this reaction. If only you knew how true that statement was for so many people

Hanna is right about being lost and conflicted. Luc Besson, the director, has admitted that the story was based on his real-life love story with his partner at that moment. He met her when she was 12 and he was 29 and they started dating when he was 32 and she 15. Then she got pregnant when she was 16, so they married.

This movie was done so absolutely amazingly well! Matilda really was in love with Leon. It was her very first love. Like so many of us, she fell for someone profoundly older, and I think that happens to many of us, but her life situation did not allow for her to learn what it was, and the differences. Leon truly loved her as well, but not an IN-LOVE kind of love. He wanted to protect her, and see her life become something better than what she had in the present time. It's actually quite beautiful when you really think about it. It was coming of age for her and becoming human for him. He never was truly human before her appearance in his life.

One of my all time favorite Movies!😍 Thank you both for reacting to this!❤️

The villain (Stansfield, played by Gary Oldman) was Zorg in the Fifth Element and Mason Verger in Hannibal and Gordon in the Dark Knight and Churchill in Darkest Hour and Dracula.... he's amazing.

Matilda just developed a crush on Leon. He doesn't know how to teach her the difference.

I JUST FINISHED WATCHING LEON AND I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL OMG TY FOR REACTING TO THIS!!

Hey Hannah and Ash, I absolutely love this movie! Gary Oldman wasn't scripted to scream "EVERYONE!" --------- He wasn't feeling the scene and decided to take things into his own hands and motioned discreetly at the sound guy to take his headphones off. ------- He caught the actors and crew completely off guard lol. Epic!🎉

Hannah your first instincts are always right. It wasn’t a brotherly love…. I really have always loved this movie. I always cry when Leon dies

Gunfire and explosions are common here in NY. People know not to open their doors and investigate.😮

The priest from V for Vendetta was upset he didn't get this Natalie Portman instead of the grown up one.

Jean Reno was the kindest and most caring person I've ever visited with. Perfect actor,

Hannah got it. She was exposed to a horrific childhood and thought she loved Leon. He was he hero. But Leon loved her like a daughter, it the way I took it. Natalie Portman’s first movie and made her an instant super star. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RmV_6-2PY0g.htmlsi=1_D5SsGfk6QG3nM_

Her first Role..Think she got some awards

I'm from NYC but I met Jean Reno in Charles De Gaulle airport and he's the nicest actor/celeb I ever met.

HELL YES gotdamn i love this channel, yall are making me relive my favorite movies and series’ again, its like watching it for the first time with some enthusiastic ass friends, thank you both for this

Been here 20 minutes and just keep replaying Hannah singing, I can't stop

Hannah clocked the creepiness which was purposely alluded to as the director and writer of this Luc Besson wrote it inspired by his marriage to his then wife Maiwenn Le Besco who he started dating when he was 32 and she was just 15. He married her when she was pregnant at 16. 🤮🤮🤮

You should watch Sexy Beast, its not as bloody as Leon but Ben Kingsley does a similar intense psychopath to Gary Oldman thats definitely worth watching for the performance.

Jean Reno being the cleaner was a side character in "Nikita" another Luc Besson classic. Besson was so impressed by Reno that he made a whole movie for his character.

Matilda has been brought up around drugs and prostitution. She’s the confused one - she thinks using her womanly charms to get Leon to help her will ensure her survival and obligate him to get the people who killed her brother. I think she does have a little crush on Leon - but what girl hasn’t had a crush on an older man at some point in their early teens? Leon would never act on any signals she gave off. He’s an honourable man but he’s also a bit bamboozled by her behaviour and he’s a lonely, lone man.

Hannah's got a voice wow! Sing it girl!

This movie is great but the "ick" you may be getting is from the original screenplay, which was later changed In the original, Mathilda was supposed to be a child prostitute and the girls in the house were supposed to be two other working girls. The father was originally a pimp who gets killed over a bad drug deal and everything else in the film happens relatively the same with a few exceptions. Unfortunately, in the original screenplay Mathilda and Leon engage in a sexual relationship. It was originally envisioned as an "us against the world" action movie. To be clear, the age of consent in France is 15, and has been since 1945 so there is a bit of a culture-clash in that respect. Luc Besson himself is known marrying the girl at the very beginning of this film who was serving the mob boss Leon threatens. She was 16 at the time of filming and had been in a relationship with Besson since she was 15 (at least, officially). They met when she was 12 and he was 29. Keep in mind, Mathilda is 12 in the film. Maiwenn (Luc's ex-wife) confirmed the film was written as inspired by her relationship with Besson. For the record, many of the changes to the script were made at Jean Reno's...insistence. He said he found the original premise disgusting and said he'd only do the film if there were changes. Since he had worked with Besson on "La Femme Nikita" (Reno played a similar character in that film) the director relented. Reno played up Leon being childlike and on the spectrum or "slow" so that it would change the dynamic of the relationship and make it less predatory back and forth but rather two damaged people on an even playing field who learn to open up and find familial rather than sexual love. Leon is a killer but too innocent and romantic to take advantage of a little girl. Mathilda grew up in a hard life of abuse and sudden intense trauma but is smart and a borderline sociopath as a means of coping. What's even crazier is that there was a planned sequel centering on Mathilda. It was never made but the script was taken and used to develop the film "Colombiana" starring Zoe Saldana. Apologies for the wall of test but I think it'd be great if you guys watched Colombiana and tried to interpret it as a continuation of Leon the Professional.

As a child, when watching a movie, I jumped back sitting on the couch when Harry oldman very unexpectedly yelled "EVERYONE" = a very good memorable screamer and jumpscare

That little girl was so badass that she ended up getting married to Darth Vader...

Been waiting for this reaction for awhile 😌🤙🏼🙏🏼

Great reaction like always guys yall are the best of the best to do it.This movie is hands down one of the best under rated action movies of the 90s love this damn movie.

Just FYI, I was very confused at first because I only knew this movie as "The Professional" And after readying through Wikipedia it appears it was released in the UK/France as Leon and in the US as The Professional. So it may help viewership if you can add "Leon: The Professional" or The Professional (Leon)". Now I am gunna enjoy the react video :)

When I saw this in the cinema and Stansfield got blown up at the end, a large section of the audience (myself included) stood up and applauded. Never seen that before or since.

If you enjoy Jean Reno, I highly suggest "The Crimson Rivers I & 2." Get the subtitled or dubbed versions.

You missed the last scene where’s she’s walking in the park and the Sting song is playing…

Lol that intro was fkn epic, hilarious and Hannah's voice is actually quite nice. This is an awesome movie and you guys did a great reaction

I really feel bad for the first bully in Mathilda's new school, trying to mess with her. Because... she would show him the true meaning of 'old school'

Jean Reno and Gary Oldman are one of a kind actors

This is a total fookin classic. One of my favourite films...

Thank you guys, I feel like I am watching movies with good friends.

While Luc Besson was waiting for the sets to be built for "The Fifth Element", he took his company and Gary Oldman to New York to make this masterpiece.

“He doesn’t need a pill to get that effect he has it naturally”

Ash/Hannah. You have absolutely NAILED what viewers are looking for with reaction videos👌 the attentiveness to detail for the film your watching, as well as the humor to keep the viewer entertained. Just Trust Ash best reaction channel on RU-vid🌹 keep em coming!!

The professional is a hidden gem. Congrats to you for reacting to it. You too are now my newest heroes ❤️

"We don't take from the working man, we don't kill women, children, or cops." Once a cop becomes dirty they are no longer a cop and are fair game. ~Old school gangster code.

Gary Oldman is a legend, he can play anything, what a boss

You missed out the ending where she planted Leon's peace lily at the school.

i love you guys for tackling this one.

I love the way you two analyze a movie, It makes me see things In A movie in a whole different way.

Holy shit, it took me this video to realize that Alt-Js song 'Matilda' is about the final scene of this movie... epic revelation