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 457 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 457 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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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

12 of 12 users found this helpful120

mariangelgles

Jan 12, 2015

A movie you must watch while you're alive, with an special touch that movies nowadays doesn't have, it's brilliant, words can't explain, the plot, the actors, the soundtrack, everything is perfect, EPIC MOVIE.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

M.Daye

Feb 4, 2006

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.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

Rumblebeelove

Jan 22, 2011

A great movie, with a very unique chemistry to it. Portman, Reno, and Oldman hold the film to a greatness, while the action glorifies it. Yes, there is touchy subject matter, but it is held well. See the international uncut version for a wonderfully wild ride. (Bonus points to the Transformers fans)

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

annbd

Jan 5, 2020

Entertaining, although I was sleepy, but I assumed seeing it till the end. Natalie Portman was so sweet. That’s her first film. It was both funny, interesting and sad at the end..

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Shedegg

Dec 5, 2014

Leon: the professional is one of the best movies documenting a hitman there is, well at the moment. It is a touching but action packed tale between a hitman and a young girl. The acting is well done by actors such as Jean reno, Gary oldman and Natalie Portman. I don't know if I'd say youLeon: the professional is one of the best movies documenting a hitman there is, well at the moment. It is a touching but action packed tale between a hitman and a young girl. The acting is well done by actors such as Jean reno, Gary oldman and Natalie Portman. I don't know if I'd say you should watch it before you die, but it is definitely an enjoyable watch. If you don't like violence then I probably wouldn't watch this, also if your younger I would not watch this due to its adult themes.… Expand

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 25 users found this helpful025

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