Skip to main content

Nikita (1990)


Director: Luc Besson
Producer: Luc Besson
Screenplay: Luc Besson

Starring:
Anne Parillaud as Nikita
Jean-Hugues Anglade as Marco
Tchéky Karyo as Bob
Jeanne Moreau as Amande
Jean Reno as Victor "The Cleaner"

Music: Éric Serra
Cinematography: Thierry Arbogast
Editing: Olivier Mauffroy
Release Date: February 21, 1990 (France)
Running Time: 117 minutes
Language: French
Freddy's Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

Initial Reactions to "La Femme Nikita"

I eagerly approached "La Femme Nikita," Luc Besson's fourth movie, riding high on the wave of the surprisingly enjoyable "The Big Blue." My friend Krasnaya, who is currently in Russia and too occupied to join in on the reviews, had spoken highly of it. However, despite the high expectations, I found myself initially unimpressed. Connecting with Nikita, the main protagonist, was challenging—especially given her violent introduction where she shoots a police officer in the face. The depiction of the police, heavily armed as though they stepped out of a bad action sci-fi film, seemed overly dramatic and strangely out of place. As Nikita, a troubled junkie granted a second chance, began her intense training at a secretive French spy agency, the soft, ill-fitting music by Éric Serra only heightened the disconnect, failing to match the gritty realism and rough nature of her transformation.


Character Development and Key Scenes

As the film progresses, Anne Parillaud's portrayal of Nikita does begin to win me over. Her growth into a compelling character is evident, especially during the action scenes where her stress feels palpable and genuine. The best moments unfold in a bathroom: first, the tense sniping scene that, despite its overly complicated setup, is executed with nerve-wracking style. The second standout moment involves Jean Reno as "The Cleaner," balancing horror and comedy brilliantly when he mistakenly uses acid on a man he thought was dead. Reno's brief appearance left me wishing he had more screen time. Interestingly, the roller-skater from "Subway" cleaned up his act, traded his wheels for grocery aisles, and became unexpectedly endearing. Watching a former petty thief fall for Nikita was the twist I needed to finally see her in a sympathetic light.


Reflections on Cinematography and Pacing

Despite its acclaim, I didn’t find the cinematography in "La Femme Nikita" as compelling or stylish as others suggest. The film also felt rushed, with Nikita's years of training and missions blending together without a clear sense of time passing—a few clichéd training montages set to music might have helped mark the time better. The ending came too abruptly, capped off by a credits song that could only be described as an auditory test of endurance. While the film is dedicated to Jean Bouise, who sadly passed away from lung cancer after making this his last film, it was bittersweet to see him one last time. Having gotten used to seeing him in the last three Besson films, his presence was a comforting constant I'll sorely miss. Ultimately, while I appreciated Anne Parillaud's performance, I didn’t resonate with the film as deeply as some. In all, while "La Femme Nikita" is a film of cultural significance, inspiring numerous adaptations, its execution doesn't quite live up to the hype, despite Anne Parillaud's compelling acting and a few memorable scenes. It's worth a watch, but perhaps with tempered expectations.


🎥 Cinematography (6/10):

Functional yet uninspiring.

📖 Story (6/10):

Engaging enough, but lacking depth in its hurried narrative.

🎬 Direction (6/10):

Besson's direction is competent but lacks the flair seen in his other works.

👥 Characters (6/10):

Driven by strong performances, especially Parillaud's transformation.

💥 Visual Effects (5/10):

Minimal and unobtrusive, serving the film without enhancing it.

🎭 Acting (8/10):

Parillaud shines, bringing complexity to Nikita's conflicted nature. We needed more Jean.

💬 Dialogue (6/10):

Sharp at times, yet overshadowed by the film's broader issues.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (6/10):

Varied and interesting locations, but the film fails to fully utilize them.

🎵 Music (4/10):

Serra's attempt at an emotionally resonant soundtrack turned out to be as gripping as a pair of socks on a tiled floor.

😄 Entertainment Value (5/10):

The film isn't exactly boring, and perhaps it's for the best that it wraps up quickly.

Our blog is currently being updated regularly!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Frank Oz: From Worst to Best

I've finished my Frank Oz filmography a while back and hadn't had the time to post here the rank and some thoughts about his work. Let's try to refresh my memory and give you some of my opinions... man. Frank Oz is a true legend. At 81, he's not just a brilliant filmmaker but also a puppeteer and writer whose characters, from the Muppets to Sesame Street, have touched countless lives. His directing career is full of outstanding, entertaining movies; out of 14 films, there's really only one rotten apple in the bunch. I'm not sure if he's planning to make any more movies, but I'd love to see him try his hand at a serious drama, just to see him flex a different creative muscle. I wouldn't like to be that famous, I value my privacy. Mind you, Miss Piggy enjoys every moment of it. If it were not for me, she would spend all her time in the limelight. Frank OZ This is his entire fi...

Friendship (2024)

Plot Summary: Suburban dad Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson) becomes obsessed with new neighbor Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd). A quirky bromance spirals into a cringe-filled, emotional unraveling as Craig struggles with boundaries and rejection. Director & Writer: Andrew DeYoung Producer(s): Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Johnny Holland, Nick Weidenfeld Music: Keegan DeWitt Cinematography: Andy Rydzewski Editing: Sophie Corra Starring: Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman Paul Rudd as Austin Carmichael Kate Mara as Tami Waterman Jack Dylan Grazer as Steven Waterman Josh Segarra, Billy Bryk, Jason Veasey and others   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Wild Ride into Unhinged Genius Alright, instant noodles, shrimp flavor, done. Now for the actual love letter to Friendship, that magnificent, fucked-up black comedy that quite literally brought Tim R...

Straw (2025)

Plot Summary: Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson), a desperate single mother of a seriously ill daughter, spirals through eviction, job loss, and tragedy in one catastrophic day. In a last-ditch attempt to get medicine, she starts a bank standoff — but a shocking twist reveals her daughter actually died hours earlier, and Janiyah has been dissociating from reality. Eventually, with support from a bank manager and detective, she surrenders peacefully amid growing public sympathy. Director & Writer: Tyler Perry Producer(s): Tyler Perry Cinematography: Justyn Moro Music: Dara Taylor Editing: Nick Coker Cast: Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson Sherri Shepherd as Nicole (bank manager) Teyana Taylor as Detective Raymond Sinbad as Benny Glynn Turman as Richard (Janiyah’s boss) Rockmond Dunbar as Chief Wilson Ashley Versher as Tessa  ...

The Shrouds (2024)

Plot Summary: Tech entrepreneur Karsh (Vincent Cassel) creates a system—GraveTech—that lets mourners watch their loved ones decompose in real time. After some shrouds are mysteriously hacked and vandalized, he digs into a disturbing cyber conspiracy involving grief, surveillance, and obsession. Director & Writer: David Cronenberg Producer(s): Saïd Ben Saïd, Martin Katz, Anthony Vaccarello Music: Howard Shore Cinematography: Douglas Koch Editing: Christopher Donaldson Starring: Vincent Cassel as Karsh Diane Kruger as Becca / Terry / Hunny Guy Pearce as Maury Sandrine Holt as Soo‑Min ***SPOILER ALERT*** The Return of Cronenberg… and Preset C F: Guess who's back? After a 10-year hiatus on this blog, Preset C is joining us to review the latest Cronenberg movie, The Shrouds. And you know what else is coming back with him? So...

Mountainhead (2025)

Plot Summary: Four ultra‑rich tech moguls retreat to a secluded mountain estate as a global AI‑triggered crisis unravels. Their poker weekend turns into a sickening display of arrogance, panic, and slapstick betrayal as they scramble to save face, fortune, and friends. Director & Writer: Jesse Armstrong Music: Nicholas Britell Cinematography: Marcel Zyskind Editor: Mark Davies, Bill Henry Starring: Steve Carell as Randall Garrett Jason Schwartzman as Hugo "Souper" Van Yalk Cory Michael Smith as Venis "Ven" Parish Ramy Youssef as Jeff Abredazi   ***SPOILER ALERT*** First Impressions: Tech Titans and Tedium Okay, another fresh pick! This time, an HBO movie with Steve Carell and Jason Schwartzman, and two other guys I honestly couldn’t name. After peeking at the trailer, I thought Mountainhead might be fun and interesting. The...

Echo Valley (2025)

Plot Summary: Grieving widow Kate Garrett (J. Moore) struggles to keep her Pennsylvania horse farm afloat after losing her wife. When her estranged, drug-addicted daughter Claire (S. Sweeney) returns bloodied and in distress, a gripping thriller unfolds as Kate fights to protect her child, confronting escalating danger, moral dilemmas, and the lengths a mother will go to save her kids. Director: Michael Pearce Screenplay: Brad Ingelsby Producers: Brad Ingelsby, Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Kevin J. Walsh Music: Jed Kurzel Cinematography: Benjamin Kračun Starring: Julianne Moore as Kate Garrett Sydney Sweeney as Claire Garrett Domhnall Gleeson as Jackie Kyle MacLachlan as Richard Garrett Fiona Shaw as Jessie Oliver Edmund Donovan as Ryan   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Cheese, Wine and Echo Valley Alright, so picture this. It’s a ...