Léon, the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda. Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.
Acting
Natalie Portman's debut — she's 12 and devastating.
Direction
Besson's camera worships Jean Reno like a saint of slaughter.
Sound
Stansfield's Beethoven obsession = most unhinged villain entrance ever.
Director
Luc Besson
Jean Reno
Léon Montana
Natalie Portman
Mathilda Lando
Gary Oldman
Norman Stansfield
Danny Aiello
Tony
Peter Appel
Malky
Michael Badalucco
Mathilda's Father
Ellen Greene
Mathilda's Mother
Elizabeth Regen
Mathilda's Sister
Carl J. Matusovich
Mathilda's Brother
Eric Challier
Bodyguard Chief
Willi One Blood
1st Stansfield Man
Don Creech
2nd Stansfield man
Keith A. Glascoe
3rd Stansfield man (Benny)
Jernard Burks
Stansfield man
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Portman was so disturbed by sexualized fan mail she took a break from acting. Besson's original cut had 25 more minutes of uncomfortable Mathilda footage he later regretted.
The 'cleaner' concept inspired Breaking Bad's 'disappearer.' Also, Léon's milk obsession? Jean Reno is actually lactose intolerant. The suffering you see is real.
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