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Never saw this Christmas miracle coming! Yes, everyone, the holiday season is here early with JCVD, the new Jean-Claude Van Damme movie! This will come as a major surprise for those who have yet to hear about this cinematic treat, where one of your favorite washed-up 80s/90s action stars plays himself in a movie that’s a sublime mix of action, comedy and drama.
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Claude Van Damme is aware his career is not what it used to be. His agent even tells him he has recently lost a part out to forever competitor Steven Seagal, who recently reinvented himself as a man now without a ponytail (which sadly won him the part.) Jean-Claude Van Damme’s director (on his current movie) has no respect for him. Jean-Claude Van Damme is caught in a court case (custody battle) against his wife. Jean-Claude Van Damme is broke. To make matters worse, Jean-Claude Van Damme has just stepped into a bank/post office under siege by a robbery in progress. All hell is about to break loose in this small Belgium town and Jean-Claude Van Damme’s life will sink to a lower level. But he’s an action star and they know what to do! Right?
I will not say too much more about the plot but seeing all this unfold is a distinct pleasure, courtesy of writer/director Mabrouk El Mechri (and co-writer Frédéric Bénudis) who cleverly tell the story and unveil its many surprises. Director El Mechri truly does exceptional work here, simultaneously delivering an engaging thriller AND a funny, yet serious, portrait of a man. Jean-Claude asides, the supporting cast is flawless. Best of all is french character actor Zinedine Soualem, in a performance of charismatic idiot menace as the unpredictable psychopath of the villains.
Movies or TV shows where actors spoof themselves comedically or dramatically seldom works. That being said, watching Jean-Claude as Jean-Claude in bewildered disbelief and despair when realizing that he is a hostage was truly one of the great joys this year at the movies. All Jean-Claude wanted to do is go to the bank/post office to send money to his lawyer to retain his services for the sake of his legal battle.
Last but not least, I will never forget his key acting moment in the film, which I will leave alone as to not spoil the magnitude of its surprise factor. I never thought I’d see the day where the “Muscles from Brussels” would flex his acting chops with such panache and real emotion. I’ll be Van Damned!
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