Léon: The Professional (1994)
Genres: Action, Thriller
Cast: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Léon: The Professional is a 1994 English-language French action-thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. It stars Jean Reno and Gary Oldman, and features the film debut of Natalie Portman. The plot centers on Léon (Reno), a professional hitman who reluctantly takes in twelve-year-old Mathilda Lando (Portman) after her family is murdered by corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent Norman Stansfield (Oldman). Léon and Mathilda form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns the hitman's trade. The film was released by Gaumont Buena Vista International on 14 September 1994, and received positive reviews from critics.