NataliePortmanplaysMathilda,a12-year-oldgirlwholivesinNewYorkwithherstep-family.Shehasacloserelationshipwithherlittlebrother,butotherwiseherlifeisamisery.HerfatherisinvolvedinhandlingdrugsforacrookedcopcalledNormanStansfield(GaryOldman).Oneday,MathildaencountersLeon(JeanReno),afellowtenantoftheapartmentblockandprofessionalhitman,andarelationshipbeginstoformbetweenthem.MathildaisoutshoppingforLeonwhenStansfieldkillstherestofherfamilyforthinningoutthedrugsalittle,andultimatelyshetakesrefugeinLeon'sapartment.

　　Desperateforrevengeonherfamily'skillers,MathildabegsLeontoteachherhisskills.Soonshehaswormedherwayintoeverypartofhisunusuallife.Leondoeshisbesttokeepheroutoftrouble,andafather/daughterbondformsbetweenthetwoofthem.Leonhoweverhaslittleexperienceofbeingeitherafatherorafriend,andisunabletopreventMathildafrompursuinghervendettaagainstStansfield.

　　Thisisawonderfulfilm,inthatitgetssomanythingsright.Thestory,whichatfirstglanceiscornyandsilly,actuallybecomesgrippingandemotionalinthehandsoftheskilledJeanRenoandNataliePortman.Thecharactersaresympatheticandlikeable,andoneistouchedbythedepthoftherelationshipbetweenLeonandMathilda.Thereisrealdangeranddramathroughoutthefilm,yetitneverbecomesmerelyanactionfilm–thecharactersaretoosignificantforthat.Besson,asalways,bothmakesthefilmlookbeautifulandbuildsplentyofatmosphereintoit.