Review of JCVD (2008) by Scott T — 16 Oct 2009

I was looking forward to seeing this movie. I was impressed by the original concept of the movie and thought that seeing JCVD in the movie equivalent of a real life dangerous situation would be interesting.

Van Damme gives the performance of his career without a doubt but talk of an Oscar Nom is a bit far fetched when you are playing yourself! (I know - Tom Cruise does it in every movie some would say). Seeing such a larger than life character become so distraught and world weary is engrossing viewing and you cannot help but feel sorry for him.

His reported heavy drug use during the mid nineties is without a doubt one of the major factors of his career decline and his does touch on that to emotional effect. The plot of the movie left a lot to be desired for me but is saved by the way it was told (over the first 50 mins you get to see the post office being taken over from inside and outside) and JCVD's performance.

Loved the mentions of JCVD's apparent nemesis of the 90's Seagal as the reason for him losing a part and the cigarette kicking scene is great. This is a slow burning gem that has to be seen despite the majority of the movie being subtitled.

I'm now really looking forward to seeing what JCVD follows this movie up with now because this has got him noticed again in the industry if reports are to be believed.