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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Professional, The

EMAIL PRINTColumbia Pictures

9.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 29 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Action | Crime | Drama | Suspense/Thriller

Written by: Luc Besson

Directed by: Luc Besson

Release Date:
Theatrical: November 18, 1994
DVD: May 22, 2001

Running Time: 110 minutes, Color

Origin: France

Summary

RATING: R

Starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, and Peter Appel

A go-for-broke thriller about a professional assassin whose work becomes dangerously personal. Calling himself a "cleaner", the mysterious Leon (Reno) is New York's top hitman. When his next-door neighbors are murdered, Leon becomes the unwilling guardian of the family's sole survivor - 12-year-old Mathilda (Portman), but Mathilda doesn't just want protection; she wants revenge. Training her in the deadly tricks of his trade, Leon helps her track the psychotic agent (Oldman) who murdered her family. (Sony)

Also On Metacritic

FILM: Arthur and the Invisibles Big Blue: Director's Cut La Femme Nikita The Fifth Element The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Ah, monsieur, you can lead a Frenchman to the Big Apple, but you can't make him a New Yorker -- and that's exactly what makes The Professional so fascinating.

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Washington Post Hal Hinson

Oldman is the least inhibited actor of his generation, and as this deranged detective, he keeps absolutely nothing in reserve.

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The Onion (A.V. Club) Joshua Klein

Few action films can claim such complexities without conceding the bang-bang stuff that brings in the big money.

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Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Besson's visuals are, as always, vibrant and decidedly European. He fills the frames with odd-angled shots and alarming riots of color that catch you off-balance.

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ReelViews James Berardinelli

With some surprisingly strong character interaction, there's a lot to like about this movie, at least for those willing to look beyond all the bloodshed.

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Time Richard Schickel

This is a Cuisinart of a movie, mixing familiar yet disparate ingredients, making something odd, possibly distasteful, undeniably arresting out of them. [5 Dec 1994, p. 93]

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Christopher Harris

Takes its viewers on a bouncing high-wire act between intense violence and sugar-sweet tenderness, with some light-hearted comedy along the way.

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Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Besson has a natural gift for plunging into drama with a charged-up visual style.

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Variety Lisa Nesselson

Widescreen lensing favors tight close-ups, and multiple shoot-'em-ups are edited with panache.

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Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

The sheer oddness of the New York world constructed for this film--where cops and crooks are literally interchangeable, and Oldman and Danny Aiello are stranded in roles that pick over the leavings of earlier parts--ultimately seems at once too deranged and too mechanical.

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TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

Luc Besson is a masterly director of stylish, thrilling, and humorous action set pieces, and this film's bravura opening and closing sequences are two of the year's best.

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The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

Lacks the sexy elan of "La Femme Nikita" and suffers from infinitely worse culture shock. [18 Nov 1994, p.C18]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Hdog gave it a10:
Absolutely fantastic, the least to say it is by far the best comedy/action/thriller/drama i have ever seen, Oldman is AMAZING, and the performance by Natalie Portman confirms that she is one of the most talented young actress of our time. To everyone that say this movie lacks in realism, that is part of the charm of this movie, just go and see some of Luc Besson's films they are farfetched and wacky and completely awesome, this is a perfect movie for people who are feeling down, its happy and sad at times. Definetly one of the best movies ever made.

Ben gave it a9:
Gary Oldman's unlimited talent and towering prowess as an actor takes this good movie and makes it great.

Dan S. gave it a10:
Leon The Professional is an absolute masterpiece. A powerful film filled with action, drama, emotions, and music. It has great direction, a wonderful script, unforgettable performances, and a great score. A true work of art from Luc Besson. It's a perfect film and it's my favorite movie of all-time. Make sure you watch the uncut version and not the edited version.

Drew gave it a10:
It may seem completely unreasonable at some parts but its Luc Besson's trademark. Its like a comic, it isn't made to resemble real life. Thus the plot holes. Yet the story still weaves together perfectly making it interesting, bizarre, funny, sweet, violent, gruesome, thrilling and even touching. Nevertheless, its one of my most favorite movies and I never tire watching it. I also enjoy watching the performance of the lead actors. If only I can watch it again as if I watched it the very first time.

Daniel C. gave it a10:
Known to me as Leon. This is the best action film of all time. The New York Times are a bunch of stuck up losers and drag this movies reviewed score down, shame on you! (Always have to digg at somone!).

Riren gave it a10:
This movie is all about the relationship between a mentaly slow hitman and an orphaned little girl. It is not about how many fight scenes they can pack in, or how realistic they can make the deaths, or even about how uncaring the world is. Seldom in the history of film will you find two actors with such chemistry, and nowhere in film will you find two actors who work together so well with such a gap between their ages. They are bizarre, awkward, funny, violent - and ultimately as charming as any romance, without playing a cheap Lolita angle. The innocence this movie portrays, buried in its own hard, confusing world, will crack even the toughest shells. All the guns, hitmen, drugs and cops are gravy on the side.

M. Daye gave it a10:
Perhaps it is a little naïve in places, but nonetheless, Luc Besson's sleek thriller Léon remains a firm favourite of mine. A film to learn from.