Wolff rating: GOOD
Plot summary: Hardened hitman finds himself taking care of a young girl.
Biased, pithy comments: Although clearly a French movie (no, I'm not into Lolita fantasies, thank you), there is a lot to like about this film. From examining the inner world of a hitman (someone who comes home to an empty apartment and sits alone in the dark instead of sleeping) to the exterior world of mafioso, drug deals, and gunplay, Besson shows the same clean lines and rich characters that could be found in ``La Femme Nikkita.'' Oldman's drug-dealer-over-the-edge schtick is probably overplayed, but Reno and Portman are fantastic and have real chemistry together, even as Reno plays a man thoroughly uncomfortable with himself. A little bloody but very good. A lot of people are put off by the (really nifty) set pieces and the involvement of a little girl in the world of professional killers. Your mileage may vary.
Other Notes: Reno's character is rumored to be the same person Reno played in ``La Femme Nikkita.'' Apparently there is a director's cut which is 26 minutes longer (!) containing scenes that didn't play well with American audiences.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello.
Directed by: Luc Besson