☆☆☆☆☆ Classic
Nikita - La Femme Nikita (1990) is a modern version of My Fair Lady, wherein the girl is transformed into a lady assassin.
Directed and written by Luc Besson.
Starring Anne Parillaud, Tchéky Karyo, Jean Reno, Jean-Hugues Anglade and Jeanne Moreau.
Besson took Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady and trained her to be a socially graceful assassin and the results are spectacular. The writing, directing, music and cinematography are stylish and combine to create a modern action thriller that is dazzling from beginning to end. I'm sure George Bernard Shaw would not mind his Pygmalion heroine transformed by men into an assassin with the grace and social skills of a proper lady to kill high value targets. Luc adds to his story and style of filmmaking in what seems to be a continuation of his female assassin in Leon: The Professional (1994). Luc also brings out memorable performances in Leon from his actors as he did in Nikita.
The film reaches its zenith with its performances. Anne is both terrifying, funny and graceful. Its the kind of role that allows an actor to explore all areas of humanity. I love the way Luc allows us to gradually see Anne's character transform from a violent, uncontrolled murderous drug addict into a discipline, controlled, graceful lady assassin.
In the scene below watch the humor, pathos and irony that Anne magically blends into her character while Besson masterfully directs and films Parillaud.
