A review of the movie JCVD, an truly interesting art-noir thriller/drama/comedy with Jean Claude Van Damme.
This is not another overdone below average straight to DVD connect the dots action movie.
Real action star Van Damme is engaged into a bitter legal battle for his daughter's custody. His daughter is mocked by her classmates for her father's antics, and prefers staying with her mother. Ridiculed by the media and smarty-pants naysayers, condemned to shoot sub-par B-movies in eastern Europe, almost broke and devastated by his little girl's condition, Jean Claude flies back to his native Belgium in order to find solace. After an odd encounter with small time crooks, his life and perception by the public will be changed forever.
From a direction/scriptwriting point of view, the movie is somewhat lacking focus. It's relying a bit too much on inside jokes and heist movie clichs. There are some truly great moments (the opening scene is hilarious - any scene using Baby Huey's "Hard Times" tune cannot be bad anyway; the court scenes are cleverly written and the very last shot finds a perfect balance of emotion without being overblown or tear-jerking) and the whole film deserves praise for being original and clever. However it stretches some scenes out, uses a bleached color scheme that could turn off some people (it's just a detail)
However, these little flaws are nothing compared to the enormous heart this movie displays. Jean Claude Van Damme he gives an astounding performance in this film. He's very comfortable in the comical scenes, but his acting chops really shine when the movie gets emotional.
His long monologue, looking at the camera, and the audience is nothing short of amazing.
In his own words, he really begs for a second chance not only in his career, but in life. He's incredibly moving and above all doesn't try to pretend he's something more than a washed up movie star. He just asks for one more chance, and judging by this flick he truly deserves it.
The film is mostly in French but if your in the mood for a good art house/independent film check it out, you'll be amazed by JCVD
JCVD Trailer!
Even if you don't want to see this film just watch this scene, by far the best part of the film BUT if you wanna see the film, don't watch this!!!
His confession
This is not another overdone below average straight to DVD connect the dots action movie.
Real action star Van Damme is engaged into a bitter legal battle for his daughter's custody. His daughter is mocked by her classmates for her father's antics, and prefers staying with her mother. Ridiculed by the media and smarty-pants naysayers, condemned to shoot sub-par B-movies in eastern Europe, almost broke and devastated by his little girl's condition, Jean Claude flies back to his native Belgium in order to find solace. After an odd encounter with small time crooks, his life and perception by the public will be changed forever.
From a direction/scriptwriting point of view, the movie is somewhat lacking focus. It's relying a bit too much on inside jokes and heist movie clichs. There are some truly great moments (the opening scene is hilarious - any scene using Baby Huey's "Hard Times" tune cannot be bad anyway; the court scenes are cleverly written and the very last shot finds a perfect balance of emotion without being overblown or tear-jerking) and the whole film deserves praise for being original and clever. However it stretches some scenes out, uses a bleached color scheme that could turn off some people (it's just a detail)
However, these little flaws are nothing compared to the enormous heart this movie displays. Jean Claude Van Damme he gives an astounding performance in this film. He's very comfortable in the comical scenes, but his acting chops really shine when the movie gets emotional.
His long monologue, looking at the camera, and the audience is nothing short of amazing.
In his own words, he really begs for a second chance not only in his career, but in life. He's incredibly moving and above all doesn't try to pretend he's something more than a washed up movie star. He just asks for one more chance, and judging by this flick he truly deserves it.
The film is mostly in French but if your in the mood for a good art house/independent film check it out, you'll be amazed by JCVD
JCVD Trailer!
Even if you don't want to see this film just watch this scene, by far the best part of the film BUT if you wanna see the film, don't watch this!!!
His confession
remod66:
A terrific film well worth pointing out to those who would otherwise pass it by... thanks for the review!