u/theColonelsc2

I loved this film. The cinematography and sets gave a gritty and run down feel to the whole movie which was the perfect backdrop to the two main characters Leon (Jean Reno) and Mathilda (Natalie Portman).

>!The beginning of the movie Mathilda's family are murdered because her abusive father stole drugs from a crooked DEA agent. She only loved her little brother and not her father, stepmom or step sister who were all cruel to Mathilda in the opening scene. She comes home from the grocery store as the murders are happening and she seeks refuge in Leon's apartment. This sets up the rest of the movie as an unlikely buddy movie as Leon teaches Mathilda to become a 'cleaner' aka an assassin.!<

There were lots of little bits of humor in the movie as well as character development of the two leads. Jean played the loner, aloof character well. Leon tries to stay emotionally distant with Mathilda but she finally breaks through and he has an unusual parental relationship with the young girl. Natalie does an incredible job of playing someone who is street wise yet still innocent due to her young age.

I knew some about this movie before just because I have seen clips and interviews about the movie and the actors. I was actually quite surprised how the theme of the movie is about how the two main characters emotionally connect for the first time, Mathilda or in a long time in Leon's case with one another, but having this rather dark story line of murder for hire.

Danny Aiello and Gary Oldman both are great in their roles and only improve an already great movie.

Everyone, I mean EVERYONE, should watch this movie at least once.