The Professional

Name: The Professional
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 18, 1994
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Gary Oldman, Jean Reno, Natalie Portman

1994

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 500 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 500 Ratings

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The Professional

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: November 18, 1994 | Unrated

Starring: Gary Oldman, Jean Reno, Natalie Portman

Summary: 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'tA 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]… Expand

Director: Luc Besson

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 110 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

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. Read full review

Hal Hinson

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

Joshua Klein

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

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. Read full review

Roger Ebert

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

Lisa Nesselson

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

Janet Maslin

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

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User Reviews

gams

Aug 26, 2010

This movie is soo amazing! I **** love it.
It's in the top in my list of favorites movies, and I think that is one of the best movies of all times.
I saw it like 64165465643 times haha and it always surprise me

17 of 17 users found this helpful170

WalterKovacs

Dec 26, 2017

The scenes in this film are so well done it makes for one of my top ten films. The performances are amazing and intense. It is a great film for anyone, a definite must see.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

charlotteydwi

Apr 30, 2013

The Professional, or as I know it Leon is my favourite film. It has everything I ever want in a film. It has action, comedy, drama and romance. It simply thrilling to watch. The film is visually spectacular, with a range of location and set shots proving that Luc Besson truly wanted us toThe Professional, or as I know it Leon is my favourite film. It has everything I ever want in a film. It has action, comedy, drama and romance. It simply thrilling to watch. The film is visually spectacular, with a range of location and set shots proving that Luc Besson truly wanted us to dive into New York's Little Italy. Obviously the acting is perfect from all members of the cast and Natalie Portman breaks into Cinema with the role of Mathilda. She takes her performance to the next level proving that even at the age of 10 she takes acting seriously.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Viper8787

Apr 27, 2014

A great movie. This one was a blind buy for me on Blu-Ray but I am glad that I picked this one up because I really enjoyed it. I think this is one of Natalie Portman's first movies and she is amazing in this movie. She is not one of my favourite actresses but she is really good in thisA great movie. This one was a blind buy for me on Blu-Ray but I am glad that I picked this one up because I really enjoyed it. I think this is one of Natalie Portman's first movies and she is amazing in this movie. She is not one of my favourite actresses but she is really good in this movie and is why I ended up enjoying this movie so much.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

wololooo

Mar 26, 2012

Hats off to Luc Besson for taking such a brave concept and absolutely nailing it. The Professional is one of the best films of the 90's, and trumps all but the best of today's thrillers. There's a really perfect balance between action sequences and slower-paced, dialogue driven scenes. TheHats off to Luc Besson for taking such a brave concept and absolutely nailing it. The Professional is one of the best films of the 90's, and trumps all but the best of today's thrillers. There's a really perfect balance between action sequences and slower-paced, dialogue driven scenes. The interaction between the confident Portman and soft-spoken Reno is quite beautiful, and kept me hooked even as the film slowed in pace towards the mid-way point. However, it's Gary Oldman who steals the show as the psychotic DEA agent, which is no small feat given Reno and Portman's solid performances. I don't think there can be any denying his performance was a inspiration for Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker - sometimes humorous, usually clever, and always tinged with a little insanity.
The Professional truly is a gem - I just hope people can look past the mediocre critic reviews and form their own opinion.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Compi24

Jul 26, 2014

Featuring uncommonly thrilling action, an absurdly unique - yet undoubtedly affecting - relationship at its core, and an oh-my-damn-how-the-hell-did-he-not-get-nominated-for-an-Academy-Award performance from Gary Oldman, "Leon: The Professional" is a fantastically beautiful film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

hootis

Jan 5, 2013

This movie is highly regarded, but I can not see anything to justify it. There are plenty of better movies that you can waste an hour with, many that are bad but they at least fit their roles. This movie is just a misfit that doesn't easily hold one's attention. There must be somethingThis movie is highly regarded, but I can not see anything to justify it. There are plenty of better movies that you can waste an hour with, many that are bad but they at least fit their roles. This movie is just a misfit that doesn't easily hold one's attention. There must be something I'm missing, like a popular release or good actors or something, but its just not very appealing.… Expand

0 of 28 users found this helpful028

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