Review of JCVD (2008) by Sean G — 04 Jul 2009

The biggest fight of his life.

The first film in which Jean-Claude Van Damme kicks ass as an actor and shows us what he is really capable of.

Jean-Claude Van Damme also known as The Muscles from Brussels and JCVD, is now an out of luck movie star who loses roles in films to the likes of Steven Segal. His real problems are financial and the custody battle over his daughter that he recently lost to his ex-wife. While back in his hometown of Brussels, Belgium, he decides to enter a post office to receive a wire transfer. After unleashing a burst of anger out at the workers for not being able to do anything for him, he realizes the hard way that the place has been taken over by criminals. He goes from being a free man to a hostage and is thrown in the same room with all the other hostages. The crooks recognize who Van Damme is and decide to use him to make the outside world think it is Van Damme who is orchestrating the heist. This action star isn't in a movie anymore; he is in a life or death situation. He, like everybody else with the gun pointed at them, does not want to get shot and die. Yes, his life has had its high and low marks, but he still wants to hope that things will be at peace someday. JCVD has the skills to come out of this alive and be a real action hero for the people of his home.

JCVD is directed by French-Algerian director Mabrouk El Mechri and this film features a combination of French and English languages. Mabrouk El Mechri has taken an idea that has been done numerous times before and infused it with a completely different take on Jean-Claude Van Damme. This film is not your typical Van Damme flick and will force you to look at the action star in a different light.

Time magazine described Jean-Claude Van Damme's performance perfectly when they said, "He deserves not a black belt, but an Oscar." I have never been a fan of Van Damme because his acting sucked. I always enjoyed his fighting skills though. In this film, he delivers a completely different performance that has made me a fan of his. Hell, now I may even go back and watch all his films leading up to this one. His portrayal as himself is action filled, honest, funny, emotional, and hopeful. You believe in this character and if you can look at him differently, then you may look at other action stars differently as well. There is a scene where JCVD breaks the fourth wall and delivers a confession of sorts to the viewer and God about his life, his relationships, and career. The man has always been a skilled fighter, has had drug and marital problems, children in different relationships, and who knows what else. He is praised for his talent and also insulted at the same time. It is even mentioned in this film that he loses a role to Steven Segal. Segal was given the role because he agreed to cut off his ponytail. Behind every movie star, there is always a tale of struggle and all their money still does not make them happy. Van Damme also has a rant where he repeatedly talks about self awareness, a key in which he believes leads to success.

The film has a bright hue to it which is the opposite of how Van Damme's life is going in this film. The opening sequence has the title character doing an action scene for a movie that goes really well. Too bad for JCVD that it ends badly and he is very disgruntled at the director. The soundtrack is just awesome and is as well crafted a Van Damme high kick. Whether it is the opening sequence, heist, life story, or credits, the music works in every scene and you won't forget it anytime soon.

This film about the skilled actor and human being isn't like any Oscar winner, blockbuster, or Van Damme movie you've seen before. People will love this film and people will hate it because you either understand it or not. Every movie watcher should check this out and make their own opinion on The Muscles from Brussels.

Be Aware.