Change Your Image
power_br
Reviews
Léon (1994)
Another typical movie form Luc Besson.....
Luc Besson. He is the man that can be trusted with directing fine movies with artistic flair. Leon is a fine example of Besson at his best: misunderstood? maybe... Difficult? almost certainly....Satisfying? Definitely.
Jean Reno is quite superb in the title role. Like his character, he shuns any limelight, favoring a simple existence. With his performance, Reno commands respect: the viewer will feel like he/she is on autopilot for most of this movie. The viewer will allow Jean Reno to put in the best performance of his career, will allow Natalie Portman to portray a very convincing 12 year old, will allow Gary Oldman to be his usual excellent self. To say much more would give away the plot of this most enjoyable movie. Actually it wouldn't, but what the hell? Leon is a great movie. The plot is simple: gangsters get something wrong, and revenge must be extracted. Well done Monsieur Besson, Monsieur Reno et Madmoiselle Portman. The rating has to be 9/10
Danny the Champion of the World (1989)
A great book, an average film
A guy who I know at college is in this film. Step forward, Sam Irons! I'm not going to eulogise him, though. His performance is quite wooden, unlike the rest of the cast: Cyril Cusack and Jeremy Irons were on great form for this movie, but the best thing about it it was Robbie Coltrane. Once a scene -stealer, always a scene stealer! So, I'm sorry all you Sam Irons fans! This one belongs to Robbie Coltrane. Jeremy Irons gives a good enough performance as Danny's dad: to an actor of his caliber, such a part is easy. What keeps the whole thing moving is the plot: the book was classic Dahl stuff, and the movie remains faithful. All in all, it is rather enjoyable, if a little dull. If only Haley Joel Osment could have played Danny! It wasn't to be....