Jean Reno as "The Professional" brings to film a killer version of a man who is hesitant about life and rigid about relationships. That the movie comes under the guise of a hitman, or cleaner as Leon calls himself, is merely the dressing for the real story--the relationship between Leon and Matilda.

Matilda is the 12-year-old daughter of a scumbag, small-time drug dealer, who has little control of himself, eases his frustrations through his hot wife and against his young daughter, Matilda. She is supposed to be in boarding school and out of the way when a DEA officer comes for his cocaine or retribution. Gary Oldman is the agent with his staff of crooked cops and dope dealers. Matilda escapes murder when her neighbor, Leon, takes her in.

Natalie Portman as Matilda is pubescent and childishly provocative in an unintentional way. Their relationship deepens as he trains Matilda in the craft of "cleaning." Trust buds. His heart, so closed, much like Silas Marner, gradually opens to Matilda's openness, much like Eppie's. The difference is, of course, the time period. Silas and Eppie had a father-daughter relationship because it was merry ole England in the Victorian Period. Leon and Matilda live in the Italian area of New York--he is a killer, she is the daughter of a drug dealer. Boundaries are much less strict.

Even though Leon always remains fatherly toward Matilda, given time, that stance may have changed, and probably would to the satisfaction of them both. But that Lolita position never arrived because the Oldman character intervened.

The story with all its corruption of character, hardness of heart, violence to the max, ends in a pastoral-like scene. Matilda is rooted.

I saw all the "best movie" reviews and bought it. I was let down as although it is good, it is far from best in my book. The acting performances are what make the movie. Reno and Portman really bring life to a very improbable relationship, and it is heartwarming in spots.

Beyond that the movie lost credibility almost from the start with the over-the-top action. This was supposed to be in NY. The opening assassination scene is ridiculous. Machine gun fire goes on for ten minutes, yet there are no cops, no neighbors. Reno seemingly can be in two places at once, crawling through ceilings and scaling multiple floors, and a crack shot of course, while others are blind. And escape is never a problem. This goes on in every action scene and isn't credible. The action in the DEA office is a joke. And Gary Oldman's character belongs in a Batman movie.

That wouldn't be bad if the rest of the movie wasn't trying for realism. They are trying to show a real relationcship developing under these circumstances. And they do. But it suffers under the weight of the cartoon action.

I ama a fan of this movie. When i saw an uncut version i just had to ceck it out.The story of the emotions of the little girl.was well done.

I bought this for my husband because it is one of his favorite movies. He gives thumbs up on the flick and the special features. He was also impressed with the price because it was cheaper than he found it elsewhere.

Having not seen this movie for a number of years it was refreshing to find that it still packs a punch. Gary Oldman in one of his better roles as the 'baddie' and an excellant performance by Natalie Portman. The opening 'Hit' where Leon imerges from, and then disappers into the showdows is still to be surpassed. Well worth a look - if you can find it!!