La Femme Nikita (1991)

Touches You

Simply Perfect

hyped garbage

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I saw this film when I was Young (12 years old maybe) and I simply loved it. We are following the story of this unruly woman who is trying to do better in a world that is not necessarily that friendly. All the actors are excellent, showing a great strength and sensitivity at the same time. As in most films by Luc Besson, there is a dark sense of humor that could ´speak´ even to the young.

Outstanding film. Watch the American remake (The Assassin) and compare the two. Don't worry about the subtitles, you won't notice them once you are absorbed. Brilliant

I watched this film when it first came out, and then watched it again and again analyzing it ad nauseum... to try and learn a thing or two. Yes, it is that good. I like a few other Luc Besson films, but this one is a notch or two above his other creations.Nikita is a story about a drug addicted woman who becomes a government agent, or rather - an assassin.That part of the story is presented really well, and provides more than enough excitement to support the entire film. But what makes this film so good is everything that happens below the surface: complex relationships, unfinished business, never knowing if she will do this or that... yet, none of it feels forced or contrived. It all makes perfect sense.I read some negative reviews here and was wondering if those people even watched this film: their questions almost feel like they should not be allowed in theaters alone. Carefully watching a film such as this one will go a long way toward enjoying it.Perhaps the only "problem" with La Femme Nikita is that it came out at the time when no one knew who Luc Besson was, and with minimal, if any, promotion armchair film-critics found it to be an easy target for unjustified negativity. Too many people are on a lookout for what seems like an easy target for their vitriol, and this film did not come with any big names attached, so they could not pass on the opportunity.The true greatness of this film is best illustrated by the fact that numerous TV shows and a remake or two were made soon after it came out. You know a film is good when other filmmakers are aching to make it again, and they fail to exceed its high standards.The only other real problem with this film may be its subtitles. Since I speak French, I simply listen, rather than read, but a few times that I took a look at subtitles, I was shocked that they were so far off - it felt almost like someone was trying to change the story with their subtitles! If memory serves me well, the original VHS actually had excellent translation as did the theatrical release; but DVD and Bluray suffer from bad English subtitles (maybe Bluray less so? Don't remember any more).All in all, action packed, brutally honest crime drama (yes, governments DO hire former criminals to be their assassins), with a heart. The single most important point of this film is not action but the main character's arc. Enjoy it and discover it yourself.This is one of the finest examples of what French cinema is capable of. Hollywood cannot even come close.

In the 1990's director Luc Besson was on a tear in his Native France as he paved the way with four very successful commercial films that year including the iconic "Leon: The Professional", "The Fifth Element", "Joan of Arc" and this one, the one that started it all, "La Femme Nikita". Even though "Leon: The Professional" is the best of the foursome, they're all very worthy in terms of quality. In the case of "La Femme Nikita", we need to realize that even though many situations are deemed implausible and to just sit back and enjoy some jaw-dropping action that will likely leave you in shock until the final credits roll.Anne Parillaud stars as Nikita, a rebellious, drug-addicted teen who hangs around with the wrong crowd. One night, these miscreants decide to rob a pharmacy in which one of the members' father owns the store. When the owner/father arrives on the scene with a gun, and notices his son and his friends stealing items in the store, things start to get real ugly. The father is shot to death and the police arrive on the scene where a stand-off takes shape. The gang is all shot dead with the exception of Nikita who surprisingly blows away a cop who was trying to revive her.Nikita is now incarcerated for life. While serving her time, Nikita is manipulated by her captors that she was contemplating suicide by a tranquilizer overdose. when she awakens, she is greeted by sharp clad man named Bob (Tcheky Karyo) and offers her an ultimatum. She is now under the care of the DSGE she can either be an assassin or go by way of row 8, plot 30 (her grave). She chooses to become an assassin and has excelled in the craft quite impressively. She even becomes computer savvy, skilled in martial arts and weaponry and even appears quite like a businesswoman like in appearance. After fulfilling her first missions, she is transferred to Paris as an enforcer to when the DSGE needs her. While in Paris, she meets a guy named Marco (Jean-Hughes Anglade) and they start a relationship with him oblivious as to what her profession is. Marco is puzzled as to why she has no family, friends or any kind of connection whatsoever. Bob gets invited to dinner as poses as her Uncle Bob and offers them two tickets to Venice, Italy as an engagement gift.But the trip and the moment of happiness comes to an end when Nikita receives a call about going on a mission with a sniper rifle in the bathroom. There she kills a woman and leaves her disappointed.The film ends when someone named "The Cleaner" (Jean Reno) who was sent to destroy all the evidence which at cost leaves him wounded by the embassy guards and gets killed while trying to escape from them. Marco eventually knows about her secret life and that draws concerns over her psychological scars, he decides that what's best for her is to vanish forever. Feeling that she abandoned the DSGE, Bob and Marco discuss what's in store for her, they agree she will be missed.With the exception of the rushed conclusion, this is an otherwise exciting start to the expectations of Besson's other commercial films especially "Leon: The Professional". I guess at the time Besson was still trying to master his craft as a filmmaker and though even if the pacing was contrived at times, the set-pieces were still something quite noteworthy; Nikita's induction hit, the assassination mission in Italy plus every scene featuring The Cleaner are primary examples of how dynamic Besson really is. The Cleaner is one of the coolest characters in this movie and make no mistake about it, he was the inspiration to the character Wolf from Quinton Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" who was played by Harvey Keitel after Keitel played The Cleaner in the American 1993 "Nikita" remake. In "Leon: The Professional", Leon is believed to be a distant cousin to The Cleaner.The movie itself spawned many remakes and imitators over the past couple of decades. John Badham directed a pretty decent remake titled "Point of No Return" with Bridget Fonda playing Nikita who's name was changed to Maggie. In Canada, Joel Surnow directed a TV series starring Peta Wilson in the lead that lasted for five seasons (1997-2001). And Warner Brothers distributed a television series starring Maggie Q in the Nikita as she defected from her employment from the agency is now plotting to bring them down.The movie here was quite stimulating. Besson's direction was well executed, but the performances were quite memorable. Parillaud was Cesar winner for performance and Karyo was very convincing as Bob. But the finale was way too hurried it might leave one demanding for a sequel otherwise, it is a bit of a letdown.Overall I recommend this film with the exception of a poorly hurried finale that was anti-climactic. But the action and the performances are truly one you'll likely treasure. For those who love action films and girls with guns, you're in for a real treat.