Luc Besson and his Lone Runners

There are parallels between the films "The Professional" and "Transporter 3". The former, written and directed by Luc Besson. The Latter, co-written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, and directed by Olivier Megaton. I don't know whether the parallels are coincidental or intentional, but Mr. Besson had a hand in shaping both of films.

The protagonists from both films, Leon (Jean Reno) from "The Professional" and Frank Martin (Jason Statham) from "Transporter 3", are dedicated, disciplined, exceptionally skilled and work alone. Both are permanently altered for the better by the females who inadvertently come into their lives. For Leon, it's a 13-year-old girl played perfectly by then child prodigy Natalie Portman, who gets him not wanting to be lonely anymore, wanting to enjoy life and put down roots, towards the end of the film. For Frank, it's a highly attractive, freckled Eastern European woman whom he's transporting, played satisfactorily by Natalya Rudakova, who gets him to loosen up and overcome his fear of living. One needs only one word to describe what Leon and Frank do, a "cleaner" or "hitman" and "transporter", respectively. Each man has one person whom he trusts and who knows what he does for a living -- a sort of confidante. For Leon, it's a burly restaurant owner who gets him "hitman" work and keeps his earnings like a bank. This restaurateur is played nicely by likable New Yorker, Danny Aiello. For Frank, it's a French Police Inspector whom he occasionally goes fishing with, played by Francois Berleand.

Finis.