Léon
"If you want the job done right, hire a professional."
Léon: The Professional - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Is life always this hard, or is it just when you're a kid?
— Mathilda
Context:
Mathilda asks this question to Léon as they sit together, shortly after she has moved in with him. It is a moment of vulnerability where she seeks understanding about the difficulty of her life, reflecting the film's somber tone.
Meaning:
This poignant question captures the film's exploration of suffering and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Léon's simple, heartbreaking reply, "Always like this," confirms the harsh reality of their world and solidifies their shared experience of pain and isolation.
Revenge is not a good thing, it's better to forget.
— Léon
Context:
Léon says this to Mathilda as she expresses her burning desire to kill the men who murdered her brother. It is his attempt to steer her away from the dark path that he himself has walked his entire adult life.
Meaning:
This line encapsulates Léon's core philosophy, which stands in direct opposition to Mathilda's driving motivation. It reflects his own tragic past—he became a hitman after avenging the murder of his first love—and his understanding that violence only perpetuates a cycle of pain. It foreshadows the film's ultimate message that redemption lies in love, not retribution.
You've given me a taste for life. I wanna be happy. Sleep in a bed, have roots.
— Léon
Context:
Léon says this to Mathilda during the film's climax, as he is helping her escape from the building besieged by Stansfield's forces. It is part of his final farewell and his confession of love for her.
Meaning:
This quote signifies the profound transformation Léon has undergone through his relationship with Mathilda. It's a declaration of his newfound humanity and his desire for a normal life, something he never thought possible. The mention of "roots" directly connects to the symbolism of his plant and his lifelong loneliness.
Bring me everyone. What do you mean 'everyone'? EVERYONE!
— Norman Stansfield
Context:
Stansfield screams this order over the phone after his men are being systematically eliminated by Léon during the final siege. It's a moment of pure, unrestrained fury and a demand for overwhelming force.
Meaning:
This iconic line, famously improvised by Gary Oldman, perfectly captures Stansfield's unhinged and excessive nature. It shows his complete disregard for proportionality and his explosive, theatrical rage. The sheer manic energy of the delivery makes it one of the most memorable villain lines in cinema history.
The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn.
— Léon
Context:
Léon explains this to Mathilda during one of their first training sessions. He is teaching her the tools of the trade, starting with a sniper rifle on a rooftop.
Meaning:
This quote serves as a piece of professional wisdom from Léon to Mathilda, but it also functions as a metaphor for emotional intimacy. Léon has spent his life keeping people at a distance. His journey with Mathilda forces him to get closer to someone than ever before, mirroring the progression from a long-range weapon to the intimacy of a knife.