The luck and friendship that saved Luc Besson's long-awaited project for ``The Fifth Element''

A miraculous work supported by luck and friendship

Come to think of it, this phrase, ``I don't really get it, but it's kind of fun,'' is something I often hear when describing The Fifth Element as a whole. Although so many elements come together, it is not a show that uses force to overwhelm the audience, but instead is ``kind of fun.''

Everything started with Besson's idea and spark of passion, but that was just the beginning. Rather, how much more significant were the elements introduced by fellow travelers who started with Gaultier and joined later, including Willis, Jovovich, and Oldman?

"The Fifth Element" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

When people are stuck with talent and passion alone, luck and friendship come to their aid. Without a doubt, these two were the final pieces of the epic puzzle that was The Fifth Element. It can be said that it is truly miraculous that these things work well together, and that the exquisite taste of a moderately weak "SF comedy" that is not the result of the creator's complacency is achieved.

While comparisons with the masterpiece `` Léon: The Professional '' are inevitable, this work is, in a sense, a thrillingly unpredictable move aimed at a completely different realm. ``I don't really get it, but it's kind of fun,'' which must have been the greatest compliment for Besson.

Reference) “ The Fifth Element : The World of Luc Besson ” (written by Luc Besson / translated by Tsuguko Higaki / 1998 / Sony Magazines)

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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