Leon

Leon analysis

Leon is a 1994 English-language French thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. It stars Jean Reno as the titular mob hitman; Gary Oldman as corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield; a young Natalie Portman, in her feature film debut, as Mathilda, a 12-year-old girl who is taken in by the hitman after her family is murdered; and Danny Aiello as Tony, the mobster who gives the hitman his assignments.

Opening scene – music is strange with windpipes, tracking shot= travelling point of view shot, feels like moving. Urban area not rich may show it will be about gangs etc… music changes and close up of a hand and then someone lighting a match, close ups of mouths, hands, eyes etc… this shows mystery. Already going to be a quest as the character shows another a photo of a guy who has done them wrong. Extreme close up is intimidating, uncomfortable, unusual, nervous want to know who they are and where they are.

Music is low with a beat to show something is going to happen. Man with a gun to his face shows us that this film may be about trained killers etc… the gun is threatening, he is serious but you can’t see him, want to know what he looks like, Leon’s point of view. Show Leon is a cold blooded killer; the guy had run out of usefulness, hit man.

The man is panicking and knows what is going to happen, he is talking fast and getting changed fast. When he says some is coming up his guys stay sat until he says someone serious as if they know it is a dangerous man. So many men guarding the fat man, shows he is powerful and rich but also shows how dangerous this other guy is. 

The close up of the numbers builds tension. The body Leon has shot propped up in the elevator is humours, teasing the guy, but also is a distraction to make all the guys so busy that the fat man is left unprotected. Shows Leon is clever, humours and witty. Extreme long shot looking up of the man bending over the edge and then Leon pops up and pulls him by the tie, it shocks you as him coming from underneath is strange. The camera going out means that they can’t know where he is now, tension builds. Leon is killing the guys of one by one. Death at the start is a typical convention but it is unconventional as you can’t relate to Leon.

Mise en scene – they have big guns which shows how serious the situation is. Cocaine is an important prop as you know they are the bad guys.

Fat guy doesn’t care about the girl. He wants to get out. No one feels sorry for him. The lights go out and he is alone.

Only see parts of Leon, he is so fast you don’t see him; it makes the tension rise and intimidates the fat man to scare him and to make him know what is going to happen to him. He is panicking; Leon isn’t dead as you know he wouldn’t die straight away. 

Dim lighting as he is scared he knocks the lamp over, shows that he is panicking and something is going to happen. Heavy breathing shows how scared he is.

The shot of his back knows that it is from Leon’s point of view. The music is like a heartbeat and as soon as the knife touches his neck it stops.

Leon is still in the dark, you can only see his hand and some of his face. Comedy thriller, kind of funny in a way. The girl isn't bothered, wants to leave. Ironic that he is taking to the guy who hired Leon. Leon moves slow and easy.

Not conventional as he isn't going to die, want to scare him. It’s strange as so many deaths you think the fat guy is going to die. The fat guy will be traumatized and will look over his shoulder all the time.

He fits in. It’s a contrast between work and his life. Now you can relate to him if you forget what he has done. Music is now soft, it’s a guitar and with some pipes or something.

 Face is hidden, smoking, about 12. Behind bars could mean that she may be bad. Mystery. Trapped in the building. Close up of the bruises on her face, been beaten, he noticed it, she has problems, he is very observant. She lies to him, he walks off as he doesn't want to get involved. The choker around her neck could show he control that may be over her. He may have walked off because he is angry that the girl is treated like that. He doesn't harm women. He kills bad people.

The guy (Gary) looked mysterious till he turned round, the guy in the black was doing all the work for him and is scared of Gary.                    

Props – plant + spray – shows he can look after things and that he isn’t just a killer. It stands out.

Hole in door to look at the girl – protective, curious.

Weapons – can show how dangerous he is. 

Lighting – dimmed down to show mystery.

Leather full chest holster- costume, is important as part of his job.  Prepared for anyone or another job.

Music – is dull and slowly contrasting with the fast pace of the first scene when he is killing people. Shows how different his real life is and his job is.

The kitchen is messing, shows he doesn't really care much for it.

Plant – substitute child, cares a lot for, lonely. It means everything to him. Center stage so when he walks in it’s the first thing he sees.  

Picture of religion- not normal as religion is peaceful, but he may believe what he is doing is for god.

Glasses – hides his face, identity, when he was killing people. Hides his emotions. Important.

He sleeps in a chair – to be prepared if someone comes in.

Girls house – has stuff everywhere his house has nothing.

Mother looks made up, dresses inappropriately. Sister is dressed for working out. Gil wants to watch TV.

Telephone interrupts the family, they don’t get along.

Girl has nothing but her brother.

Now in the film everyone likes Leon.

Tissue to wipe away the blood.

The girl dresses strange as she has no role model.

She knows what he drinks, she has been watching him.

Sound – bells sound like Christmas ones, music is interesting. (Look it up)

Gary’s costume – suit.

Music when he is killing them is sort of Bollywood style.

Clicks his fingers and the sound stops.

Dirty grimy walls and now blood is added to it.

He is mad because his suit got ruined so he does an over kill on the guy.