``Léon: The Professional Complete Edition'' A quiet man and eloquent images - A strange way to charm people to evoke feelings

“Léon: The Professional” synopsis

Léon: The Professional is a man who lives alone in an apartment in a corner of New York. His true identity is a professional assassin, and he carries out assassinations through the mediation of a man named Tony. One day, Stanfield and his men brutally murder the family living next door. Matilda, a 12-year-old daughter who happened to be out, senses something strange and heads to Léon: The Professional's room to ask for help. Léon: The Professional hides her and ends up living with her...

Index

• A popular work that has not faded even after its 25th anniversary
• The hardships behind Natalie Portman's "crying" performance
• “Kaomise” of three characters
• Psychological depiction of the meaning of “changing”, “wearing” and “taking off” costumes
• “Drama” that pervades action scenes

A popular work that has not faded even after its 25th anniversary

It has already been more than 25 years since the ever-popular film ``Léon: The Professional'' (1994) was released in Japan.

The bond between a silent killer and a lonely girl, modern visuals set in a corner of New York, a melancholy soundtrack and Sting's theme song, a setting that seems a little unconventional in modern times, and depictions of extreme violence. However, it is no wonder that it continues to fascinate people all over the world, regardless of age or gender.

One day , Léon: The Professional(Jean Reno), a professional assassin living in New York, is asked for help by his apartment neighbor Matilda (Natalie Portman). Her family was murdered by corrupt police officer Stansfield (Gary Oldman). "If I get kicked out, I'll be killed. I want to become a killer too," she begs, so Léon: The Professional has no choice but to take her in. While living together with Matilda, love grows between them.

``Léon: The Professional'' is a love story, a violent action film, and has elements of human drama and suspense. Above all, it exudes an artistic quality that is a little different from other dry entertainment works. As a Frenchman, Luc Besson has a unique temperament, and because he was not yet influenced by Hollywood, it may be said that his authorial qualities are clearly visible.

“Léon: The Professional complete version” preview

This film was released in the US in November 1994 and debuted at number 5 in its first week. The top 10 include `` The Lion King '', `` Star Trek Generations '' , ``Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles '', and `` Pulp Fiction '' (Reference: Box office mojo).

By the way, the US box office revenue ranking for that year was:

1st place: “The Lion King”

2nd place: “ Forest Gump Once in a Lifetime ”

3rd place: “ True Lies ”

That's what he said.

``Léon: The Professional'' was ranked 72nd, but it was because it was Luc Besson's Hollywood directorial debut, the cast had not yet made their international breakthroughs, and it was an R-rated film in the United States (those under 17 must be accompanied by a parent). Taking into account that the movie had a US box office revenue of 19 million dollars (according to THE NUMBERS, the production cost was approximately 16 million dollars, and the worldwide box office revenue was 45 million dollars). ).

The author, who was an elementary school student at the time of its release, did not see the film in real time and was unable to experience the ``atmosphere of the times'' firsthand, but it is nevertheless important to note that this film was well received by both audiences and critics at the time. It's not hard to imagine. Apparently the soundtrack sold well in Japan.

First, I introduced the numbers, but from the next section I will introduce the contents of the work, including some episodes from that time. This time, instead of the theatrical version (110 minutes), which was cut due to unsatisfactory reactions from the screening audience, we will be releasing the ``Léon: The Professional Complete Version'' (133 minutes), which more faithfully reflects the producer's intentions. (You can also watch it on Amazon Prime Video, etc.)

The hardships behind Natalie Portman's "crying" performance