JCVD

"I still ask myself today what I've done on this earth, nothing! I've done nothing!"

Well there has been a lot of buzz going around lately that Jean-Claude Van Damme's new film, JCVD is actually good. Which surprised the hell out of me, I read up on what it was about and became interested and from the trailer it was obvious it was going to be something special.

Title: JCVD
Year of Release: 2008
Director: Mabrouk El Mechri
Genre: Drama/Crime
Rating: 7.5/10

JCVD is about Jean-Claude Van Damme, no, it is not a documentary. Though JCVD is fictional, Jean-Claude plays his brutal self. Losing his daughter, his wife, money, and making movies he knows are terrible and still even losing some of those.. to Steven Seagal. JCVD returns to his homeland because he needs money to pay his lawyer when he gets mixed up in a robbery.

Now I had read some reviews that this as a film altogether is average, but Van Damme's performance was not. That is what sold me, I wanted to see Van Damme act for the first time in his career, as a kid I loved all of his movies, from Bloodsport, Universal Soldier, Hard Target and even Street Fighter. Though I have out grown him and realise his lack of talent in these movies I have always wanted to see him be a serious film, one where he acts, so this film appealed to me. There is no doubt about it, Van Damme delivers his best performance ever in this film. One scene, probably the most talked about scene of this film where Van Damme talks honestly into the camera, about life. Though it may just be apart of the script, it really becomes obvious that is Van Damme. It really makes you feel sad for Van Damme at how.. quite pathetic he has become. I'm sure there is not a single person who can deny the fact Van Damme did a very good job with his performance in this film, and definitely makes me hope to god he gets the chance to be in some serious films, though, sadly I don't see that happening.

There is definitely a boat load of inspiration from Dog Day Afternoon, just the whole they are both focusing around a robbery, but there are also the screaming fans, and even a character that resembles Sal (who was played by John Cazale). This film alone, isn't the best film, we all know that. It does occasional give an unauthentic feel during some scenes which seem to try to feel intense and realistic but just come off amateur.

That being said, this film is very entertaining, it has a bit of humor in it, and a fantastic performance from Van Damme, which is the reason why anyone would see it. It's an exciting film that opens with a great scene which has Van Damme doing an action sequence with no cuts which shows Van Damme struggling to go on, this scene among some others show his disinterest for the movies he is now in. Don't expect a great film because I'm sure there are people out there who won't like it, but if you put your critical eye away and watch this for what it is, Jean-Claude Van Damme's first real film. I really enjoyed this film. A film any real JCVD fan should see.