Julian RuncanJCVD: Roundhouse Kick Cinema
June 22nd 2010 19:54
JCVD is quite the ambitious film. It accomplishes most of what it sets out to do, and although some parts don't exactly work out, the attempts are quite admirable. Van Damme's performance is easily the best of his career, and hopefully the movie will encourage North American audiences to explore other foreign films.
Aesthetically, the film has quite a bit in common with movies of the French New Wave. It's not exactly an art film, but it uses many of the conventions associated with the term. The pacing could have used some work, and some parts may have felt out of place, but the experience was quite enjoyable overall.
The film's most memorable moment is a monologue delivered right into the camera by Van Damme himself. He addresses the audience directly with an incredibly moving speech that feels like it comes right out of a Godard film except more genuine and less pretentious.
If you're expecting an outright comedy, this film may disappoint you, but it offers something of greater value. The style is well executed, the performances sound, and the messages have some depth to them. This isn't some superficial parody of Van Damme's persona, but a heartfelt story about a man and the problems in his life. Certainly worth taking a look at.
8.5/10
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