JCVD (2008)

This one had been sitting on my watch list for a little while so it was nice to finally see it. First off, I was surprised how French it was. I don't mean in a bad way it's just a bit jarring seeing Van Damme in this way if you've only watched his American films. But honestly, that's what makes this movie. For me it feels like it's role that gets the viewer to observe him in a different light and truly humanize him. He had this trajectory as an action star in Hollywood where he made a few big movies but was never taken seriously as an actor. With his thick and goofy accent, I think he was viewed as succeeding despite being viewed as a bit comical in most of his roles.That's why this movie was so interesting as he's playing a version of himself that has aged out of those sort of roles that made him famous. And because he speaks mostly French it helps you witness a more natural side of him where it's easier to see under all the character he became in the US there's a real person that had to work his butt off to succeed.Really neat movie, it made me want him to do a wider variety of roles. You can tell there is more to him than just a guy good at martial arts.

Instead, drop whatever you're doing, run straight to the website, kiosk, or store of your choosing, and rent or buy yourself a copy of JCVD.The less you know about this movie before watching it, the better. In fact, if you found this review you probably already know too much. Even if you've only seen JCVD's "Epic Split" commercial for Volvo Trucks on the interwebs, you've still seen too much! I've tried to make this review as spoiler-free as possible. If you need convincing to watch the movie, read on, but I hope you'll just trust me and watch it first.I saw JCVD a few weeks ago and it is still in my consciousness - it's the most thought-provoking and entertaining movie I've seen in a long, long time.Before I saw JCVD, if you had asked me which of "The Expendables" actors I related to the most (liked, respected, enjoyed their movies, whatever), I would have said Stallone or Statham. For the record, I was 16 years old when "Rambo: First Blood Part II" came out, so 80s action flicks were an integral part of my youth, but I still probably wouldn't have thought to mention Van Damme (I remember "TimeCop" mainly because of my crush on Mia Sara).Now, without question, if you asked me which action star from the last 3 decades I respect the most, I'd answer Jean-Claude Van Damme - that's how much this movie affected me. JCVD the movie is of course about JCVD the man, but it's much more than that. Convincing my friends to watch it was a tough sell: It's not an action movie, so fans expecting lots of high-kicking stunts will be at least somewhat - though not completely - disappointed. It's filmed in a sepia tone so if you can't stand black-and-white movies you might be turned off. And you better speak French or get ready to read subtitles, because English is definitely this film's secondary language.But you owe it to yourself to overcome these minor obstacles and watch this movie from start to finish.I won't spoil the plot - it deserves to be unspoiled. The story unfolds in a slightly non-chronological sequence. You might be tempted to rewind to figure out if you missed something (I did), but if you hang in there it shouldn't be necessary. Once you understand what's happening it's pretty straightforward and moves at a somewhat relaxed pace - critics might say "too relaxed" given the subject matter.But there are a few things that made me absolutely love this movie:First, so many of the scenes were surprisingly thought-provoking - they had me thinking about movies and real life at the same time. The movie is an excellent meta-commentary on celebrity, reality, and courage. For example, I would ask myself "Why doesn't JCVD just beat the stuffing out of that guy?" then I remembered, "This is supposed to be JCVD in the real world, not the fantasy world of stunt doubles". Then I would ask myself "But couldn't the real JCVD still just beat the stuffing out of that guy?" Then I thought "Maybe he isn't as tough as his persona" or "Maybe he only honed his skills in competitions, not street fights". Then I thought to myself "Even if he is that tough, perhaps he knows his limits and knows that this situation is too difficult for him to resolve", or "Maybe he knows that acting boldly could endanger others" or "Maybe he is just plain scared and tired and has other things on his mind and can't be the hero today".Second, I'm not the only one thinking these things - the characters in the movie are thinking them also. They all have their own expectations and impressions of JCVD - some of them misinformed - and these shape the film in comical, emotional, and unexpected ways. I was especially moved by the woman in the post office who is more interested in commenting on JCVD's parenting skills than his fighting skills.Finally, it is Jean-Claude's soliloquy toward the end that elevates the film to true greatness. Like the rest of the film, it artfully intertwines real life with a story about real life. It's cleverly clear that JCVD is breaking the fourth wall, but I still got the feeling that he is not only sharing an inner monologue with the audience but also pleading for understanding from his fellow postal customers.This is the part where you realize that Jean-Claude is asking exactly the same questions of himself that the other characters and the audience are asking of him, and he's just as unsure of the real answer. You'd probably have to know JCVD pretty well to find the dividing line - if there is one - between fiction and reality in this scene. I don't remember whether the soliloquy was in English or French. I just know that it reminded me of mistakes I've made in my own life (minus the bulging muscles, fame, and success) and it rang very true.I'm willing to bet that someone at Volvo Trucks' ad agency saw this movie and realized the emotional impact of JCVD's soliloquy when imagining their brilliant "Epic Split" commercial.I won't spoil the ending for you either. Some critics found it unbelievable and unlikely - I found it unlikely but still very believable, and I thought it fit the overall theme of the movie very well.Weeks after seeing this movie, I still can't believe that The Muscles from Brussels made me cry by kicking me in the heart with his words.

Jean-Claude Van Damme is a certain icon and one of the most famous Belgians in the world - even non-admirers should acknowledge this... His start as actor was not very smooth as - for a long time - he seemed stiff and the plots he was engaged were trivial and resembling. But improvements took place and Van Damme became a versatile martial actor and, the older he got, the less influence was on kicking-fighting and more on empathy and protection of the weaker. All this is nicely depicted in the film in question, where he plays a fictionalized version of himself, a burn-out action star whose family and career are at stake as he is caught in the middle of a heist in his hometown of Brussels. In line with several fatal scenes, we can snigger over police bureaucracy, thickheaded loafers and people's attitudes towards famous persons. Definitely one of the best performances by Van Damme - and different in many ways; by the way, Time magazine named his performance in the film the second best of the year.

Who would have thought it? Jean-Claude Van Damme in a post-modern meta-movie (at least that's what I think they call this kind of thing) in which he plays himself with brutal honesty as an ageing action star caught up in a real-life hostage situation. And who would have thought that it could possibly be this good?Not me, that's for sure, but here it is, JCVD, a brilliantly original film starring the Muscles from Brussels as we've never seen him before—as a believable human being—one with real-life problems and a troubled past who has absolutely no desire to get himself killed when confronted by desperate gun-toting criminals.With the Belgian superstar playing Van Damme the man rather than Van Damme the action hero, making this film is a gamble, one that risks alienating the star's existing fan-base due to a lack of slam-bang Van Damage, but hopefully it will earn him their respect—and the respect of movie-goers in general—as a bold performer willing to try something a little out of the ordinary.Told in a non-linear fashion by director Mabrouk El Mechri, this tense, funny and dramatic movie is filmed in French with subtitles, with improvised scenes of dialogue and an amazing monologue by the star that proves he can really act, all of which may even have cinema-snobs sitting up and taking note.In taking such a daring role in such a unique movie, by portraying himself as a man with flaws and weaknesses, and by acknowledging his mistakes, Jean-Claude has certainly become an even greater hero than ever before in the eyes of this particular fan.