JCVD

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Directed By: Mabrouk El Mechri

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme

Plot Synopsis:

Between his tax problems and his legal battle with his wife for the custody of his daughter, these are hard times for the action movie star who finds that even Steven Seagal has pinched a role from him! In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme returns to the country of his birth to seek the peace and tranquility he can no longer enjoy in the United States.

Review:

Can a movie change your perception of an aging actor? Bruce Campbell gave us fans an homage movie with My Name Is Bruce.  Stallone brought back Rambo and Rocky Balboa.  Mickey Rourke turned in a heart felt and amazing performance with The Wrestler.  Who’s next? Schwartzenegger? Seagal? Nope.  It’s Jean-Claude Van Damme.  And he’s turned in the performance of a lifetime with JCVD.

I’m actually in shock with how much I loved this film.  The timing was perfect with me viewing JCVD.  The weekend before I had just viewed Timecop and Hard Target.  I even blogged about the mullets in both films.  From Dolph Lungren to Steven Seagal, I think Jean-Claude Van Damme’s films are the funnest to revisit.  Why? You ask.  Because he’s freaking awesome! If you put  him in the room with Lungren, Seagal, Schwartzenegger and Stallone, I would wager that Jean-Claude Van Damme would kick all their asses.  He’s the best athelete and more highly trained in martial arts that those meatheads put together.  Don’t get me wrong, I have a soft spot for all those 80’s action stars.  Jean-Claude Van Damme just kicks ass ok? Even with a mullet, so get off my back.

Anyway, on to the review.  Jean-Claude Van Damme pours his heart out with his performance in JCVD.  It’s absolutely amazing how much he emotes here. Sure, the guy can kick ass when needed, but he’s no thesbian.  JCVD gives Van Damme a chance to act in his native tongue, French.  He seems to be free here, more comfortable than I’ve ever seen him.

The concept is interesting.  This is a highly stylized film (not over done) and very meta.  Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself, kind of an alternate reality self.  He’s struggling to pay the bills, going through a bitter custody battle for his daughter, and can’t seem to catch a break.  Near the beginning of the movie, he gets involved with a robbery and that’s where this movie gets going.  I don’t want to spoil anything, because JCVD is a film that works best when you’re suprised at each turn.  The film has a sense of humor, yet is extremely sincere in what it’s trying to do.

The supporting cast is great.  No “known names” are involved and that really helps ground this film in its “pseudo” reality.  The color pallet of the film is very much subdued, a lot of greys and browns.  There are some instances where it feels like a black and white film.  I really love the look of the film and am glad they keep it consistant here.

I really don’t have a lot to gripe about.  The only criticisms I have are an over abundance of jump-cuts.  This is due to the stylized aspect to the film, but I have a video production back ground, and maybe that’s why it grates on me.  Jump cuts are a “no no”! However in context, I think it works.  Also, JCVD plays on the fact that the viewer has seen a majority of Jean-Claude Van Damme movies.  The good and the bad.  If you’re a Jean-Claude Van Damme virgin, you may be at a dis-advantage.  Although, not as bad as My Name is Bruce.  Finally, the “4th Wall” is broken and is a bit jarring at first.  However, this is probably the best use of the “4th Wall” I’ve ever seen in a film.  It works, but briefly took me out of the film until I understood what was going on.

JCVD come highly recommended.  Jean-Claude Van Damme is a revalation here.  It’s remarkable to see a “B” level actor be so good.  It’s a shame that his performance was over shadowed by Mickey Rourke.  I think Jean-Claude Van Damme could have been an easy contendor for Best Actor in many Awards Shows.

Trailer:

Stills:

Peter Hyams‘ Timecop with Jean-Claude Van Damme isn’t as good of a time as Hard Target, but it does have it’s moments.  Gone is the greasy 90s mullet.  This time, Jean-Claude sports a well-groomed pseudo-mullet.  Of course he’s clean cut until we meet the future Jean-Claude.

View some awesome pictures and read some thoughts after the jump:

Things I noticed about the future via Timecop:

1. All future weapons have red laser sights.
2. Evil goons must have mullets or multiple ear piercings (in one ear, of course).
3. If you’re listening to a Mini-Disc, you MUST be from the future.
4. Time Travel is brought to you by Saran Wrap.
5. Jean-Claude Van Damme has very few facial expressions.  Even in the future.
6. Cars of the future will have no windows and will be as non-aerodynamic as possible.
7. The ability to do the splits is not only manly, but will save you from electrocution.
8. Hiding behind barrels of flammable liquid is not a good idea.  Even in the future.
9. Liquid Nitrogen will ruin your day.
10. Standing in back of a time machine will end badly for evil henchmen.
11. If the future you meets the past you, you will result in becoming a pile of Spam.