One of the Best Performances of 2008? Surely not?
Here is one of the most daringly original and fascinating films of 2008. “JCVD” definitely has some flaws, but manages to overcome them with unique cinematography, unconventional direction, a witty screenplay, and a superb performance in the lead role. Yeah — I said it.
This film tips its cap to the classic seventies heist flick, “Dog Day Afternoon”, on more than one occasion. It is essentially a stand-off, set in a small town Belgian post-office / bank, between the authorities and the real-life Jean Claude Van Damme. The cops mistakenly think that JCVD, struggling with financial troubles, has held up the joint to pay for his daughter’s custody battle. The truth is that JCVD has stumbled across an ongoing heist and is being used as a pawn by the actual criminals.
This nifty little film takes all sorts of twists and turns as Van Damme self-deprecatingly skewers his own image over and over again. There is even a moment when the lead character breaks the fourth wall and addresses the viewers with a poignant soliloquy about the mistakes in his life and career. That scene is one of the most memorable and remarkable cinematic moments of 2008. Jean Claude Van Damme proves that he can be a terrific actor when given a chance. This is a career “redefining” role that utterly changes my opinion of the man. He should be up for award consideration — yes, even an Oscar.
There are times when this movie lingers on scenes for too long. It has trouble filling the 90-minutes. However, it deserves your attention for a handful of virtuoso scenes that make it one of the freshest efforts of the year. “JCVD” is surprising. It is bold. It is deep. It is AWARE!
