Leon: The Professional (1994)

From the smoky streets of Little Italy to the milk-stained benches of a hitman's apartment, Born to Watch takes aim at one of the most unique and controversial action dramas of the '90s with its Leon: The Professional (1994) Review. In this week's episode, Whitey, Damo, and Dan on the Land dive deep into Luc Besson's stylish, unsettling, and surprisingly heartfelt film about an unlikely bond between a hitman and a 12-year-old girl.

Would this movie be made today? Probably not. But that's part of its enduring intrigue. The crew revisit the world of Jean Reno's stoic assassin, Gary Oldman's manic DEA agent, and Natalie Portman's breakout performance as Matilda, the orphan who turns vengeance into a calling.

As the boys reminisce, they take a nostalgic trip back to 1994, the year that gave us Green Day's Dookie, Nirvana's Unplugged, Pearl Jam's Vitalogy, and The Offspring's Smash. It was also the year they thought they were "arty as hell" watching French cinema in suburban multiplexes. Cue the milk, the braces, and the John Wayne impressions; this episode delivers the perfect blend of pop culture, humour, and heartfelt nostalgia that makes Born to Watch such a cult favourite.

Damo questions the fascination with milk-drinking hitmen, Dan lists the defining albums of '94, and Whitey recalls seeing the film in cinemas, not realising it would later feel very different once he had an 11-year-old daughter of his own. Together, they unpack the film's layered characters:

• Leon (Jean Reno): slow, gentle, and dangerous, with an oddly pure soul.
• Matilda (Natalie Portman): vulnerable yet vengeful, performing far beyond her age in a debut that stunned the industry.
• Stansfield (Gary Oldman): a villain so unhinged, it’s impossible to look away. His Beethoven-fuelled rampage remains one of the most gloriously overacted performances in movie history.

The trio debates whether the film's tone, which sits somewhere between action, arthouse, and morality play, could survive modern scrutiny. There's talk of Luc Besson's eccentric direction, Portman's controlled emotional performance, and the film's moral discomfort that keeps audiences divided decades later.

They also share behind-the-scenes gems, such as Portman's parents' restrictions on smoking scenes, her early mastery of on-screen crying, and Luc Besson's knack for finding raw emotion in unlikely places. Damo draws parallels to The Exorcist, Dan applauds Reno's physical subtlety, and Whitey argues that Portman should have received an Oscar nomination if not for Anna Paquin's earlier win for The Piano.

The gang laugh their way through some classic Born to Watch segments:

• The Cry-Meter: Whitey admits to misty eyes (7.5%) during the early tragedy.
• The Snorb’s Report: Featuring Elle Macpherson in Sirens, naturally.
• The Hit, Sleeper, and Dud: With shoutouts to The River Wild, Wagons East, and Legends of the Fall.

By the end, the trio agree that Leon remains both haunting and hypnotic, a masterpiece of tone, performance, and ambiguity. It’s a film that feels both dangerous and tender, and is completely unforgettable.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

•  Was Gary Oldman the most unhinged villain of the ’90s?
•  Why do all hitmen love milk?
•  Should Natalie Portman have won an Oscar for her debut?

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a five-star review at BornToWatch.com.au
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