The Professional (R, 1994)

common sense media says

Stylish, mature hitman thriller is quite violent.


parents & educators say
  • 86% say sexual content is an issue
  • 86% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

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.

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

More on The Professional

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In THE PROFESSIONAL, reclusive New York City hitman Leon (Jean Reno) lets his nurturing side come out after rescuing 12-year-old Mathilda (Natalie Portman). Leon, who has lived like a hermit for years, discovers a strong paternal instinct when he takes the girl in. Mathilda's abusive upbringing has hardened her to violence and forced her to grow up fast, yet she's still youthful enough to love dress-up games and puppet shows. But his young charge often seems more worldly and calculating than her surrogate father figure. In fact, Mathilda makes a deal with Leon: He'll teach her how to be an assassin, and she'll take care of all the housekeeping duties. Their life includes everyday activities like cooking and cleaning, as well as lessons in firing a sniper rifle from a rooftop. Their mutual goal? Revenge against a group of thugs who performed a vicious act of violence against Mathilda's family.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Leon lavishes TLC on his cherished houseplant. Every day he carefully waters it, polishes its leaves, and arranges it just so on a sunny ledge. The symbolism is undeniable: Here is a man who kills people for a living but harbors a gentle soul and even a strict code of professional ethics ("no women, no kids").

Co-star Gary Oldman is chilling as a psychotic, corrupt DEA agent with a habit of popping pills right before his crooked team's various raids. And in her first major film role, Portman gives an intelligent and surprisingly mature performance. Reno, meanwhile, is quietly menacing in his hitman mode and awkwardly affectionate in his father-figure role.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Capitol
Director: Luc Besson
Cast: Gary Oldman, Jean Reno, Natalie Portman
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release: November 14, 1994
DVD release: February 24, 1998
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: scenes of strong graphic violence, and for language.

This review was written by Teresa Talerico
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Professional





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

14
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 86% say sexual content is an issue
  • 86% say violence is an issue
  • 71% say language is an issue
  • 57% say there are positive role models
  • 29% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

fangningsheng
teen, 14 years old
 
Great Entertainment
this movie is awesome. If you like action movies or thrillers, this is a must see. Expect lots of graphic bloody violence and swearing.

XeeraH
adult
 
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 :)

 
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!

JamesRobertson
parent of and 7 , 11 , 14 , 17 year old
 

georges113
parent of 11 year old
 
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...

 
Review
Violence is current throughout the film. There are scenes near the start of the film where some women are dressed inappropriately, there is also a short shot of two people having sex, although there is no nudity. The 12 year old girl also wears some revealing clothes and tries to seduce the main character who is an adult. It can be quite uncomfortable to watch.

TwilightVamps13
teen, 14 years old
 
Brilliantly done, but know your child.
My parents are very strict about what I watch. I have seen less then a dozen R-rated flicks in my time, much unlike most of my friends, and this one was most definitely worth watching. The violence, while gritty and at times disturbing, is flawlessly done in a way that makes you want to keep watching, while still shocking enough to keep you interested. Most deaths are shown, but you don't normally see the faces of the victims. The only death I found particularly disturbing was that of the four year old. Another factor to point out is Mathilda's urge to kill. She may be 12, but she has no problem shooting a gun out a window, not caring where the bullets end up. Gary Oldman's performance is disturbing and amazing at the same time; he plays the 'bad cop' role perfectly. Teenagers will appreciate the artfulness of the film, such as the lighting (perfect) and camera angles. It's older, but not dated. Many R-rated films these days thrown in more gruesome and explicit violence than is necessary by any means, which this one avoids. A good starter for a teen begging to see an r-rated movie (like me!). Not a hard-r film, but know your child before you let them see it.

faincut
educator
 
13 and up will really enjoy it!
There is one very disturbing and violent scene in this film, where a man is gunning down an entire family. This might make some children upset. However, the rest of the movie, there is less violence but more suspense. Some children may be embarrassed by the behavior of a child falling in love with an adult, but there are only innuendos and no sexual activity.

 
Good but violent
This movie was entertaining. Although this movie has some horrible curse words. And this movie is violent I let 13 year old watch this with her older sister. I also found how the little girl was attracted to the man disturbing.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see The Professional?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age