The Best and Worst of Luc Besson

While not a household name, Luc Besson is one of the best action writers in film. To his credit he has movies such as La Femme Nikita, Leon, The Fifth Element, The Transporter and Unleashed. The next few posts are inspired by the release of his latest flick, Taken, and will be part discussion, part criticism and a whole lot of unashamed praise. My first installment will begin with La Femme Nikita and Leon, before progressing to some of his other work soon.

Starting with his breakout film, La Femme Nikita, and the remake, The Assassin, Besson established many of the themes and character traits which would be prevolent in his later work, including strong female characters such as in Joan of Arc, Leon and The Fifth Element. The other themes are quite simple, mainly sticking to revenge, and this consistency of message has held him in good stead. As for character, Nikita (then Maggie) is an assassin, as are many of his leads, in one way or another. However the remarkable thing that echoes through his assassins is their quiet, methodical approach to what they do. What makes the films classic is what he does with these enigmatic characters. With Nikita Besson is able to begin what he masters in Leon, the character is complex and reluctant, having no desire to kill, but unable to stop. She is simultaneously brutal and emotional, yet retaining the viewers sympathy throughout.

Besson's unquestionably iconic, and one of the most perfectly constructed action films in history, is Leon (The Professional outside of France), an all-out actioner with an emotional core in the relationship between titular character (played brilliantly by Jean Reno) and an abused 12 year-old girl, Mathilda (Natalie Portman in her first role). I will control my praise for this film as it is quite simply brilliant, but focus on his emerging tradition of theme and character. While revenge is always Besson's central conceit, it is an ever changing form and an ongoing thesis on the catharthis of the act. Leon is seeking revenge for newly orphaned and homeless Mathilda, and redemption for a life of sin as a "cleaner". How does he get this? By doing what he knows and teaching Mathilda to do the same. It may seem strange but behind it all is a loving and kind man who is starved for affection caring for the closest thing he has to a friend. It is a rare thing to find a character who vocalizes so little, yet says so much, but in Leon this trait serves only to intrigue the viewer into compassion and adoration, all the while racking up a body count in the hundreds.

This could not be complete without a mention of Gary Oldman as the crooked, and homicidal, DEA agent Stansfield. It is by far Oldman's best performance as he manages to inspire the hatred of the audience and a mesmerized awe. Stansfield is ruthless, callous and most frighteningly, above the law. What resonates most is his musings about classical music whilst slaughtering a family and his crazed reaction to amphetamines. His obsessive nature slowly builds to a brutal conclusion and is shown to be the antithesis of Leon's restrained lifestyle.

This is all for now, but next time I will focus on The Fifth Element and The Transporter.