Did Leon really "love" Mathilda? If so, was it like a sex0r thing or more of a father role?

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Never figured this out...and probably don't want to know...

I can understand Mathilda liking Leon. 12 year old liking an older dude. But did Leon have the same feelings for her? At some points he acts like he did, but at others it just seemed like more of a fatherly stance. I'm hoping for the latter.

Maybe I missed him explaining, but seeing it several times I've never gotten a real answer.

Movie is The Professional for those wondering.

 

[gopunk]

i always thought it was a fatherly thing, but perhaps i'm just optimisticly naive. i thought it was like she would try to push it astray but he kept it straight.

 

[glen]

Well, Leon certainly has a dual nature doesn't he?
He is a really kind person, even caring for a plant. However, he is an assassin.
Summarily, he may have both feelings for Mathilda.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The longer version ("Leon") has more character scenes, and his actions and expressions were always fatherly to my eye. She did seem to be pushing for more in a few scenes but his reaction was always "dadlike." So I'd say he decided to love her as a daughter.

Well, Leon certainly has a dual nature doesn't he?

Except that being an assassin was just work to him, he didn't seem to feel hatred or anything more than pride in doing the job properly.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I think father, white knight, he knew what he did (the assasin gig) was wrong & was drawn into the role of protector/father.

Great movie.