Nikita

Released in 1990, Nikita is a French classic and celebrated masterpiece directed by Luc Besson. Saturated with intense action sequences, crafty mystery, and nuanced emotion, Nikita remains a touchstone of international cinema. The movie stars Anne Parillaud in the title role, and includes effective performances from Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana and Jean-Hugues Anglade in pivotal roles, complemented by the director's signature stylized aesthetic and storytelling approach.

Anne Parillaud plays the lead role of Nikita, a rebellious and fiery young woman who quickly spirals down into the harmful world of drugs and street crime. Irreversible choices lead her life to take a fatal turn, drawing her into conflict with law enforcement. It’s her clash with authorities that sets the stage for Nikita’s enthralling narrative, positioning her on the brink of dismal ruin, as she navigates the labyrinth of her life.

After a major incident, Nikita encounters French intelligence. Devoid of options, her life is yanked from the clutches of incarceration and plunged into the covert realm of an aggressive governmental training program intended to craft lethal human weapons who operate in the shadowy corners of society. Nikita’s raw and uncontrollable nature makes her a challenge and a gift to those who take her under their wing, in the futuristic underworld that appears so much like a chaotic twist of fate.

Often considered Besson's signature work, the movie paints an artful portrait of the protagonist’s personal transformation process. Nikita evolves from a raging youth to a skilled operative – her journey elegantly captured by Parillaud’s exceptional performance that shifts seamlessly between conflicting emotions, ranging from vulnerability and determination to violence and tranquility, embodying the complexity of a character struggling to retain her humanity amidst an existence steeped in violence.

Marc Duret and Patrick Fontana bring dimension to the world surrounding Nikita. Duret portrays Rico, a character integrally tied to Nikita's old life. Rico is equal parts charming and dangerous – a duality that Duret manages to project with finesse. Fontana plays Coyotte, another crucial character from Nikita's past, and offers an exceptional performance brimming with desperation and raw humanity. On the other hand, Jean-Hugues Anglade delivers a stellar performance as Marco, a character who plays a crucial role in Nikita's transformation to an assassin and her navigation of emotions therein.

Meticulously crafted, the film leverages stunningly choreographed action scenes that serve to further illuminate Nikita's evolution and the stakes of her journey. Besson showcases his characteristic flair for cinematic storytelling with innovative camera work, brisk pacing and touches of the surreal that bind the narrative.

Overall, Nikita isn't your standard action film. It's a deeply human examination of a complex character thrown into extraordinary circumstances, struggling to survive in a world dominated by abuse of power, violence and existential crises. From there, it navigates through provocative themes of redemption, alienation, identity, and morality in the backdrop of a high-stakes, covert world. The film’s conclusion leaves audiences exhilarated and contemplative, a testament to its emotive connection and narrative resonance.

Nikita is unforgettable, primarily due to its multi-layered approach and the intense performance from Parillaud. If you're an enthusiast for action-packed cinema that doesn't compromise on character development and emotional depth, Nikita is a must-watch. The film serves as a milestone in French action cinema and international cinema at large, and its legacy remains potent and impactful even decades after its release. Its complex anti-heroine, intense action, dark humor, and tragic love story combine into a distinctive cinematic vision that is both thrill inducing and deeply moving. In essence, Nikita is a cinematic tour de force that redefined and transcended its genre, standing the test of time and establishing itself as a cornerstone of contemporary cinema.