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The Professional

(1994, Rated R, Thriller, Starring Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Jean Reno)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stylish, mature hitman thriller is quite violent.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters on both sides of the law engage in criminal or immoral behavior, including killing, drug dealing, and mob activity. The main character, a hitman, is portrayed as an otherwise caring soul who tries to rise to the challenge when he must protect a little girl. Law-enforcement characters are portrayed as crooked and more morally bankrupt than the film's criminals.
  • Violence:

    Graphic violence throughout, including murder, shooting, explosions. A knife is held to a man's throat; people have guns pointed at them or held to them. A man who's been badly wounded in a shootout launches grenades strapped to his body, causing a massive explosion that kills both him and his nemesis. A little girl is abused (slapped, hit) by members of her family. She is seen with a black eye and a bloody nose. While standing in the shower, a man stitches up a bloody wound on his chest.
  • Sex:

    At times there's a rather creepy undercurrent of sexual chemistry between a grown man and a young girl. When a hotel desk clerk asks her about her male guardian, she lies, saying, "He's my lover."
  • Language:

    Many uses of words like "f--k," ass, and "bitch."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Various characters drink, smoke, and take drugs. Kilos of cocaine are shown. A 12-year-old girl is seen smoking cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Professional

Parents need to know that this action thriller includes some scenes of extreme violence, including one in which a family -- including a 4-year-old boy -- is brutally gunned down in their home. There are also explosions, abuse (of a 12-year-old), and more. The 12-year-old girl develops an unusual relationship with a much older hitman (who teaches her his trade); there's an undercurrent of chemistry between them. Strong language includes "f--k" and "bitch"; characters also drink and smoke.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media tends to portray "good guys" and "bad guys." Are real people either all bad or all good -- or is it more complicated than that? How do you feel about the movies' tendency to portray gangsters' and criminals' "sensitive side"? Does that excuse their bad behavior?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    outstanding mature story one of those movies that u'll never forget once watched

    WATCH IT WATCH IT WATCH IT WATCH IIIIIIIITTT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ||| NOW FOR PARENTS ||| Violence: too violent and disturbing Sexuality: a 12 year old girl proposes sex to a man and talks about virginity and sexuality, but the man refuses every time she does ask and shows care and respect considering her age and case. character plays with his wife's breasts and they have clothed sex, interrupted by their 2 girls, but it's not visible. drinking : the little girl drinks lots of champaign in one scene and starts laughing in a hysterical way. the little girl smokes there's lots of sacs of drugs but they're not used Cursing: out of anger generally, and the little girl swears a lot and is thought not to swear or smoke The little girl also sings a song with lyrics" ....like a virgin touched for the first time..." ||| These was for parents to read NOW FOR THE MOVIE, THE GREATEST MOVIE I'VE EVER EVER EVER WATCHED... IT MAKES U THINK ABOUT IT FOR DAYS... PERFECT ACTING PERFECT STORY SCENARIO PERFECT EVERYTHING...

  2. I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    The unusual suspects ^_^

    Here's a story bout a teenage girl name Mathilda, whose 'family' was killed, including her only real brother who's only four years old. Her plan: take revenge on those who killed her brother. Coincidentally she meets with a hitman who teaches her his trade. Mathilda is this feisty 12 yr old girl (kudos to Natalie Portman) who means business if she wants to do something. Just like going all alone to track down Stansfield. Firing bullets out the window, playing russian roulette. However her character doesn't lose the '12 yr old' self, only thing she's mature for her age. Leon (kudos to Jean Reno) is this professional next door hitman with a goofy side that you won't expect. He doesn't talk much, only when needed. The most coolest, calm hitman who shows himself through actions. You don't see him get angry even when Mathilda does immature stuff. It's surprising that Mathilda curses more than Leon. In fact, I didn't hear Leon cursed even once in the film. Lol. They share an unusual love relationship between each other. Much like first love between a boy and girl, so innocent. it's not as if she wants to seduce him, he is all she has. The scene when he has to let her go was painful, terribly... cried at that scene. Violence is a lot, intense when Mathilda's family was killed. You don't see lots of blood splattering actually, just holes on the clothing. occassional trail of blood. Leon's stitching of his wound was ouchie. There's drinking between mobsters and some drug uses. Lots of $#%#$^#. If you don't mind it then watch em. Overall I would say that I REALLY enjoyed this movie a lot! It is a good movie by Luc Besson just like Fifth Element. An accidental find but instant love. I loved how the movie revolves around Leon and Mathilda. At some scenes it was serious, then it became funny or sad and they were all memorable. The emotions these characters brought out were strong that it connects the viewers. It's a must watch you'll enjoy these unusual suspects :)

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Superb, Stylish, Violent Hit Man Story.

    This is a very good but very disturbing hit man drama/thriller. A family is graphically slaughtered (including a four-year-old boy), a very young girl is attracted and tries to seduce a much older man, and the villains *SPOILERS:* happen to be police officers *SPOILERS END.* The violence is pretty rough and a young girl is in serious, protracted (prolonged, or very long lasting) danger. There are senseless killings and the murder and abuse of children, so if you don't like that, I wouldn't reccommend this film. Otherwise, please enjoy!

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0

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