LA FEMME NIKITA
A film review by Thomas E. Billings
Copyright 1991 Thomas E. Billings
Synopsis: Nikita, a violent young woman with a drug problem, is sent to prison. There she is recruited by an unnamed French intelligence agency, and given a new life, and a new job -- as an assassin for the (French) government! A violent drama that varies from unbelievable to gripping. Overall, a very good movie.
France (English subtitles), color, 1990, approx. 118 minutes. Director/Writer: Luc Besson
Nikita is a 19-year old woman with serious problems. She is a junkie and a thief. One day she and her friends are robbing a drugstore to get drugs. Things go wrong; the police arrive and a bloody shootout follows. The ultimate result of this is that Nikita ends up in prison, serving a life sentence.
Nikita is deliberately given a drug "overdose" by prison officials and she officially "dies." Nikita awakens from her "death" to find she is being held by French Intelligence officials. She has a choice: work for the government as an assassin, or go back to her grave -- this time for good. This begins Nikita's new life, working for the government. After a lengthy training period, the story continues as Nikita is returned to the outside world to begin her work as a killer; but is she actually ready for life on the outside again? Can she have a personal life, while working as an assassin?
Given the storyline of the film, I was concerned that it might turn into a "woman exploited by big, bad guys" story. Although you do have some sympathy for Nikita by the end of the picture, you won't forget her depiction from the first part of the picture: a hateful, drug-addicted, young woman who is prone to acts of uncontrollable, extreme violence, and who kills without hesitation. The film does not glamorize, or victimize Nikita. Instead, Nikita is the "victim" of her own violent actions, and her own wrong choices in life.
The production values of the film are high, and some of the acting is very good. The actress who portrays Nikita (Anne Parillaud) is excellent. However, some of the things that happen in the film seem rather unbelievable. For example, the way some of the covert activities are accomplished is dubious; one would think that an assassination for political purposes would be thoroughly planned (to avoid risk of discovery) and would not have any last-minute uncertainties. These complaints are minor, however, and do not distract from the action or enjoyment of the film.
Overall, I thought the film was very good (certainly worth considering), because of its interesting story line and the fact that it does not glamorize Nikita. One caution: the film is very violent.
Distribution. Scheduled to open Friday, 4/5, in San Francisco (AMC Kabuki 8 Cinema); in its first U.S. release. U.S. distributor: The Samuel Goldwyn Company.
Reviewer contact: teb@stat.Berkeley.EDU
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