The wall separating action movie star Jean Claude Van Damme from his audience is torn down in this insightful low-budget film. There are very authentic-feeling moments in “JCVD,” where the star actually speaks directly to the viewer. Here, we get a glimpse of the real Van Damme within the context of a fictional story about his real life. A world where Van Damme is an aging action movie star who must fight for every off-Hollywood part he gets. A world where his personal and financial life are in shambles. Then, while his mind is on these other matters, Van Damme gets caught up in a post office robbery while on a trip home to his native Belgium. Van Damme gives the strongest performance of his life in “JCVD,” portraying a complicated character the viewer will instantly sympathize with.
The film is not one of Van Damme’s traditional action movies but more of a personal drama. There is a thriller component to the movie, when the aging star stumbles into a robbery. Because of the way the movie is edited, it is unclear to the audience what involvement the action hero has with the crime. The police believe that Van Damme may be implicated in the robbery itself, since he is the sole voice coming from inside the building. What the viewer is presented with makes it very possible that the star could have lost control and committed the crime himself. The custody battle for his kid is draining much of his dwindling resources and he doesn’t have the Hollywood clout he once did. Can the movie star manage to get the hostages and himself out of a real crisis without losing any lives in the process?
“JCVD” is a clever title that roguishly implies the dual nature of the film. Is it another action-thriller where Van Damme is simply pushed to deliver a compelling performance or is this something more personal to Van Damme that serves as a vindication of his past and a hope for his future? The dialogue is mixed between French and English, since the actor speaks both languages. But the real language of the film appears etched on the actor’s well-worn face. The stress of his life and fading movie career create a slightly depressed figure, who is all too aware of his own responsibility for his current situation. There is a scene where the actor opens up about his prior drug abuse and how it affected his life and career. It may be the most honest piece of cinema the man has ever done and will ever do.
The actual story of the post office heist is inspired but not particularly well-developed. While there is an initial concern for both the actor’s life and his fellow hostages, the movie doesn’t spend time ratcheting up the tension during the negotiations. The background music is also pretty poor, showing the low-budget nature of the production more than the avante garde film style. Despite these shortcomings, “JCVD” is a brave picture about an international movie star who may deserve a second-shot at life and stardom. If your in the mood to appreciate vintage Van Damme, dust off and watch these greatest hits: Bloodsport, Universal Soldier, Hard Target, and Timecop.
Rated R for language and some violence.
