Luc Besson’s Léon Celebrates Its 30th Birthday
30 years ago today, September 14, 1994, the film Lion directed by Luc Besson has been released in French cinemas. This dramatic thriller, halfway between action and emotion, not only strengthened the director’s international reputation, but also launched the career of a promising young actress, Natalie Portman, who was only 12 years old at the time of filming.
The film tells the story of Léon (Jean Reno), a lone hitman living in New York, whose life is turned upside down the day he meets Mathilda (Natalie Portman), a 12-year-old girl whose family has just been brutally murdered by a corrupt DEA agent. played by Gary Oldman. Mathilda, determined to avenge her little brother’s death, approaches Léon, hoping that he will teach her the methods of becoming an assassin. Over the course of the film, a complex relationship develops between Léon and Mathilda, between affection and admiration.
An impressive first role
In the role of Léon, Jean Reno embodies a taciturn and affectionate character. His interpretation contributed greatly to making this character a memorable anti-hero of cinema. Léon is at the same time brutal and vulnerable, a man closed in on himself, whose existence is turned upside down by this unexpected encounter. It is also this contrast between the violence of his work and the almost paternal relationship he establishes with Mathilda that gives all its depth to the film.
At the age of 12, Natalie Portman, in her first film role, impressed with her maturity and her acting skills (even if today she says she found the film problematic). Mathilda, between innocence and desire for revenge, is a complex character, and Portman manages to capture all the pain and determination of this young girl broken by violence. This role immediately put Natalie Portman in the spotlight and made her one of the most gifted actresses of her generation.
We never get tired of seeing his casting for the film:
When it came out in French cinemas, Lion had attracted three and a half million viewersthe seventh biggest hit of 1994. It was nominated seven times for the César Awards (including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director), but did not win any.
Source: Cine Serie
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