A convicted felon and recovering drug addict is forcibly made into a governmental instrument in return for her release from prison in La Femme Nikita.
Before The Fifth Element and Leon the Professional made their impacts on the world, Luc Besson made a film that would change the landscape of female led espionage action thrillers for years to come. La Femme Nikita. Moving away from the hyper sexual focus of flat, unrealistic female supporting characters typically seen in spy movies and giving us an actually fully fleshed out lead with relatable characteristics and a personality, La Femme Nikita did something very few managed to do before it by having a point and sticking to it.
Written and directed by Besson in his always spectacular fashion, the film is not only a feat in the beauty of filmmaking, but a testament to his longtime prowess as a filmmaker. His script is tight and well thought out, his directing style is on point, his characters are all incredibly full of depth, and best of all, the titular Nikita is unlike most of her film character predecessors in one major way; she feels like a real woman instead of a man’s idea of one. Using the film as a vehicle to make a statement about governmental influence and the fear that comes from being a woman in a male dominated field, La Femme Nikita is a mainstay for good reason.
Having Jean-Hugues Anglade as Marco, the loving and calming presence of Nikita’s romantic interest, and a glimpse of Jean Reno in a role reminiscent of his future as the incredibly lovable Leon he would play a few years later, the cast is rounded out with actors who disappear into their characters, allowing us to live and breathe in the world they live in instead of just looking in the window at them. But most of all, we’re moved to care about Nikita through the always spectacular Anne Parillaud in the lead role, giving a powerhouse performance that draws you in and creates an emotional connection to this woman as she struggles with her past, her guilt, her fears, and her uncertain future. She plays the character with such finesse and quiet charm that you can’t help but want the best for her, regardless of what terrible things she’s done.
Every frame is a work of art, showcasing Besson’s signature flair and love of expansive color palettes in what would typically be viewed as a grungy and dark tale from any other director. Not to mention how brilliant the score is in helping to paint this portrait, with Eric Serra offering us one of the most enduring film compositions ever made. La Femme Nikita is taut and thrilling, and so are the visuals and music, making it a staple in not only French cinema, but the history of film as a whole.
While many iterations of the story have come along in the years since, with remakes and television series aplenty and imposters vying for their own place in cinema, nothing quite compares to that original film. It made an impact on the world that we’re still feeling now, and it deserves heaps of praise for years to come.