'Leon', written and directed by Luc Besson, is a compulsive thriller which explores the relationship between a lonley 12 year old girl, Mathilda, and her hitman neighbour, Leon. After Mathilda's family are tragically massacred in a dodgy drug operation, led by a corrupt DEA agent, Leon is forced to protet her. He takes her in and teaches her some basic knowledge of his trade, so that she can take her revenge on the disturbed cop who killed her family, especially her 4 year old brother who she was particularly close to. The rest of her family made life difficult and very unpleasant for her. Throughout the film, Leon and Mathilda build a very strong father/daughter bond, and he does all he can to protect her and keep her safe.
Leon appears to have a very unique and specific bond with his plant, a Japanese Peace Lily. He claims that it is his best friend, and takes very good care of it, watering each individual leaf everyday, and placing it in the sunlight on the windowsill every morning. It's symbolic, representing Leon as a person, in a way. For example, he is the best at what he does, and knows very little about anything other than his work. Leon does not have much freedom. Mathilda tells him that the plant should be able to grow in a park, where it can have roots and be free. At the end of the film we see her put the plant into the ground, suggesting that Leon is now free.
Leon's death at the end of the film is shot from his point of view. This is effective because it allows the audience to feel part of whats happening, and they can see what is going on from a characters perspective. When he dies there is a bright light he is walking out of a dark corridoor into the light. This can represent peace that Leon now feels, and could show that he is finally free. Also, near the start of the film when Mathilda's family are killed and she knocks on Leon's door, she is stood in a dark hallway, this shows that she is desperate and in trouble. But then Leon opens his door and a bright light shines on her. The light shows hope for the character.
Overall, I think 'Leon' is a brilliant film. It is not the type of film I would usually choose to watch, but I'm glad I did and I would be happy to watch other similar movies.
