Leon: The Professional is a 1994 English language French crime thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. Set in modern day New York, Leon (Jean Reno) is a professional Franco- Italian hitman who works for Italian boss “Tony”. Mathilda (Natalie Portman), a 12-year-old girl who was reluctantly taken in by Leon after her family was murdered by corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Mathilda persuaded Leon to teach her how to be a hitman and the pair later developed an unusual relationship.