Monday, December 15, 2008

JCVD


'JCVD' is a movie that should not exist, seeing Van Damme reveal a human side spilling guts of introspection onto celluloid is truly bizaro world stuff. One of my favorite movies of the year, 'JCVD' is a fictional story staring Jean-Claude Van Damme as himself. The movie opens with one of the best opening title sequences I have seen all year. A fit but tired and weak 47-year-old Van Damme doing the best he can in an action sequence for his latest movie. This isn't your father's Jean-Claude Van Damme. Our hero had seen better days, he is in a nasty custody battle for his kids, his agent is worthless, he's broke, and he can't pay his lawyer. Planning to pay his lawyer the money he owes, Van Damme goes to the nearest bank only to end up getting tangled up in a back hold up. He is now a hostage, but the police and his fans believe that the Muscles from Brussels is one of the bank robbers. Inside the bank, the situation seems like something you only see in the movies, but Van Damme doesn’t have the movie magic to save the day.

The story has a non-liner fashion to it where timelines and fractured and scenes are repeated from other characters perspectives. The film has this really cool washed out look to it. Not to spoil anything, but action lovers may not agree with the final showdown. To call 'JCVD' an anti-action movie may be too easy. Before the final showdown, the movie breaks the fourth wall (Van Damme talks to the audience) and Jean-Claude tells us he is at a breaking point in his life. What happens next, you'll have to find out yourself, but being a hero or killing the bad guy may not always mean saving the day. 'JCVD' gets a B+. Enjoy!!! ~Caleb

1 comment:

SammyB said...

great post.
well said.
I agree completely.
man! I am WAY behind on bloggin on this site.
sheesh. I feel bad.