MovieChat Forums > Léon (1994) Discussion > Why is their Love so hard to explain?

Why is their Love so hard to explain?

posted 8 years ago by bowilly-88704
11 replies | jump to latest

As Leon is more experienced and somewhat numb to dealing with his loneliness, Mathilda is not. Due to her youth and inexperience her urges to reach to someone are much stronger, and she has no reservation in expressing her love freely. Leon on the other hand is cautious and much more reserved, creating the conflict between them that moves their story forward. As their story unfolds, we watch as the love between them slowly begins to grow. While their love is somewhat a mystery and hard to explain, clearly they are bound together by loneliness, giving us the foundation for this unique and emotional love story.

Trying to understand the love between Leon and Mathilda remains a topic of interest for many, myself included. Whenever these discussions come about, we all try to describe their love by giving it a name. If I had to choose Platonic would be my choice, but even that term doesn't begin to satisfy my curiosity. I believe their love goes much deeper and is more complex due to the emotional strain from where their feelings for one another come to life. I have thought about this topic often over the years and I am more confident now than ever that I may never fully understand it. I finally came to the conclusion that I have been, not necessarily wasting my time, but not looking at it in a way that maybe was intended. I have settled on the notion that giving their love a name will never convince me that I have found the right answer. I know I'm taking the easy way out, but I have formed an idea that best describes the love between them, from my point of view.

For me, I believe their love for one another was born out of loneliness and maybe theirs is the kind that doesn't need a name or definition.

[–] TxMike 8 years ago

It is actually much simpler than all that. They are fictional characters and the nature of their fictional attraction is always going to be only partially understood, influenced by the script and how each actor portrays the attraction. Ultimately it is up to each viewer to decide what fits best by considering this fictional attraction vs real attractions the viewer has been exposed to.

..*.. TxMike ..*..

[–] bowilly-88704 8 years ago

I have never had any doubt that the story and the characters are fictional as well as the attraction between them. Still it doesn't hurt to loose oneself within the story once in a while, that is the fun part in discussing the film at least for me. In no way do I consider my point of view on the topic the correct one. If Besson intended for us to fully understand the attraction between the two characters, he would have given us all the answers. Since it is a fictional story with fictional characters we are allowed to have a little fun with it.

[–] TxMike 8 years ago

Agreed, but it is the answer to your question, "Why is their Love so hard to explain?"

..*.. TxMike ..*..

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TxMike 8 years ago

You are obviously a very shallow thinker BaztheB and that is why you can't appreciate an insightful discussion. The fictionality of it all cannot be ignored when addressing the question that the OP asked.

Watch a lot of cartoons??

..*.. TxMike ..*..

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TxMike 8 years ago

Yes, it is if I must agree with you. Thanks.

..*.. TxMike ..*..

[–] bowilly-88704 8 years ago

I guess I need to explain a little. I formed my question, thinking mainly from within the story and more inline with Leon and Mathilda's point of view and what their Love meant to them. When thinking about this topic, how would they describe the Love between them has often come to mind. Since this is impossible to know, I asked the question, Why is their Love so hard to explain? After reflection I should have thought about it more carefully and phrased my question a little differently. Sorry! My fault completely!!!

[–] TxMike 8 years ago

Don't be hard on yourself, it is a natural question. I think the response to the question is directly related to how one watches movies. If you get so immersed that you find yourself in the world of the characters and let the fictional element go then you will attempt to understand and answer as it it were real-world people.

I can't do that, my mind doesn't work that way, I am always at least periferally aware that what I am watching amounts to actors portraying a script written by someone and directed by someone. In the case of "Leon" the writer and director are the same, so we can presume that he worked with the actors to portray pretty much what he had in mind, even so what comes across will still be an imperfect representation. What we hear and see gives us part of the picture but not the whole picture, thus that is why "their Love (is) so hard to explain." Unless we get Besson himself to explain it, what he had in mind. And maybe he can't adequately explain it either, maybe he didn't have a very specific idea of it (their love) himself, maybe he just wanted to show how they came together and how they influenced each other.

..*.. TxMike ..*..

[–] bowilly-88704 8 years ago

>>> If you get so immersed that you find yourself in the world of the characters and let the fictional element go then you will attempt to understand and answer as it were real-world people.<<<

This film always has this affect on me, there's something about the story that draws me in every time. Thanks for understanding!!!

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

Good analysis! Mathilda was basically an orphan who grew up in an abusive household to begin with. She attaches herself to Leon who helped her when she was in great need. He was more of a protector and while his morality was questionable at times he wasn't a child molester. Mathilda on the other hand was lonely and developed a "crush" on Leon for which thankfully he did not take advantage. The ending was sad, and we wonder what would happen to Mathilda. But that is left up to us.