10 films starring Jean Reno that are definitely worth watching
Today, July 30, we celebrate the birthday of Jean Reno. With his talent and charisma, this Frenchman of Spanish origin won worldwide fame, playing many unforgettable roles in films. Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic journey with one of the most talented actors of our time!
This is a cult action movie directed by Luc Besson, in which Jean Reno played the main role: he plays Leon, a closed, lonely professional killer living in New York. Leon leads a Spartan lifestyle and devotes himself entirely to his work. His life changes dramatically when the neighbor girl Matilda (played by a young Natalie Portman in one of the most striking film debuts) is left an orphan after her family is killed by corrupt police officers.
Leon decides to take care of Mathilde and teaches her his craft, and she, in turn, helps him open up his feelings and emotions that he has long suppressed. The film is a mixture of action, drama and neo-romance genres, and is renowned for its tense atmosphere and powerful performances. This role became a key one for Jean Reno; after the film was released, the actor was noticed in Hollywood.
Directed by Luc Besson, this 1985 stylized thriller stars Jean Reno as a character called "The Drummer." The film is the story of an outcast, Fred (starring Christopher Lambert), who hides in the Parisian subway from his pursuers, along the way meeting and involving various types into his life, including a group of musicians who are joined by Renaud's character.
This film presented Jean Reno as an actor who was not only charismatic, but also adept at playing unconventional, eccentric roles, allowing him to demonstrate his mastery of comedy. The role in “Underground” turned out to be a turning point in the actor’s career, confirming his talent and versatility. This role attracted the attention of Luc Besson, who subsequently repeatedly invited Reno to work in his films, which, in turn, led to collaboration in such significant projects as “Nikita” and “Leon”. Reno, in turn, has proven that he is able to bring his unique charisma and personality to any character, be it a comic or dramatic role.
Reno’s next collaboration with Besson was the romantic drama “Abyss Blue,” in which the actor played one of the key roles. This is the story of friendship and rivalry between two freedivers - Jacques Mayol and Enzo Mallorca.
Jean Reno brings to life the character of Enzo Molinari, a tireless and passionate diver whose life goes hand in hand with danger and risk. Reno perfectly conveys the dynamism and energy of his character, while at the same time revealing his complex inner world.
Deep Blue is not just a story about sports and rivalry, but also a film about love for the sea, about friendship and complex relationships, as well as about finding oneself. Despite the simplicity of the plot, the film amazes with its atmosphere, the beauty of underwater filming and the deep emotions experienced by the main characters. "Abyss Blue" became one of the most recognizable films in Jean Reno's filmography and played a significant role in his career.
“Nikita” is another famous film by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno. This spy thriller tells the story of a hopeless drug addict and criminal who is turned into a professional killer by a government organization. The film was not only commercially successful, but also received widespread critical acclaim, won numerous awards, and became a cult classic in the action genre.
In this film, Jean Reno appears on screen as Victor, a mysterious and merciless “cleaner” who specializes in eliminating people after operations. In this role, Reno demonstrated his ability to create compelling and memorable characters, even in minor roles.
In this comedy, Jean Reno plays the role of Godefroy de Montmirail, a noble knight from the 12th century. This is a fascinating story about a time loop that takes the hero and his servant (played by Christian Clavier) from the Middle Ages to modern France. Reno, embodying on the screen a brave knight, but somewhat lost in the modern world, showed incredible comedic talent and unique acting charisma.
Aliens was a huge success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in French history. The popularity of this film was so great that it led to the creation of several sequels and remakes. In 1998, Aliens 2: Corridors of Time was released, where Jean Reno and Christian Clavier returned to their roles. In 2016, Aliens: Revolution was filmed, the third part of the French original series. A remake of Just Visiting (2001) was also filmed, adapted for the American market, with the same actors.
This film, despite its comedy, allowed Reno to demonstrate his acting flexibility and ability to cope with various roles. His character became one of the most memorable in his career, and the film “Aliens” rightfully took its place in the golden fund of French cinema.
In this romantic comedy in which Jean Reno played the role of police officer Jean-Paul Cardon. The film tells the story of a woman named Kate (Meg Ryan) who travels to Paris to get her boyfriend back after he ran away with another woman. Along the way, she meets Luke, a charming rogue played by Kevin Kline, and police officer Cardon, played by Reno.
For Jean Reno, this role was one of the first in English-language cinema, which was a significant stage in his career, expanding the audience outside France. French Kiss became one of the cult films of the 90s and is still regarded as a classic romantic comedy.
1996's Mission: Impossible is the first episode of the famous spy film franchise, in which Reno plays the French accomplice of Tom Cruise's hero. It is an American action thriller film based on the 1960s television series of the same name. The film, directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise, follows the work of Special Agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) as he tries to clear his name after his team is framed and destroyed.
In this film, Jean Reno plays the role of Franz Krieger, a technical support expert and personal assistant to Hunt on his mission. A role in such a major Hollywood project as Mission: Impossible was a big step for Reno in his international career, giving him access to a global audience. The fact that Reno joined a star-studded cast and proved himself to be a reliable leading man in a major budget film helped cement his reputation in Hollywood and elevate his status to the level of the international film elite.
Crimson Rivers (2000) is a tense crime thriller directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, with Jean Reno taking on the role of the main character, Commissioner Pierre Niemans. The film is a gritty story that interweaves horror with crime intrigue.
The plot centers on the consequences of two horrific crimes that occurred in remote university towns in France. Niemans, together with his younger colleague, (Vincent Cassel), must solve these intricate murders. Their investigation leads them to confront a dark secret hidden within the depths of the country's academic elite.
This film allowed Reno to demonstrate his ability to interpret complex and dark characters. A serious role in Crimson Rivers cemented Jean Reno's status as one of the leading French actors capable of bringing intensity and drama to thrillers and detective stories.
Wasabi is a fast-paced action film directed by Gerard Krawczyk. In this film, Jean Reno plays the role of a policeman from Paris named Hubert Fiorentini. Hubert receives news of the death of his former lover, who lived in Japan, and learns that he has a Japanese daughter, whose existence he did not know.
Wasabi captivates audiences with its action-packed plot, witty humor, and action-packed fight scenes where Jean Reno demonstrates his hand-to-hand combat skills. The ease with which he combines comedic elements and action scenes makes his character unforgettable.
The film allowed Reno to showcase his acting skills in a new genre that combined comedy and action, and highlighted his versatility as an actor. "Wasabi" brought Reno to the attention of new audiences and cemented his status as one of the world's leading actors.
The Unlucky Ones is a fast-paced and comedic crime story directed and written by Francis Weber. The plot centers on two people of completely different temperaments, who became Jean Reno and Gerard Depardieu.
Jean Reno as Ruben, a professional criminal with many years of experience, gets the opportunity to demonstrate his masterful acting again, but this time in the comedy genre. On the other hand, we see Gerard Depardieu in the role of Quentin, a man far from the criminal world and endowed with a very simple mind.
Once in the same prison, the heroes enter into a very unusual alliance, forced to work together to break free. The film is distinguished by the humor characteristic of French cinema, and the unique duet of Reno and Depardieu brings a special zest to it.
What role of Jean Reno do you particularly remember? Be sure to share in the comments.