This may well be the most memorable Jean-Claude Van Damme movie ever, but I'm afraid that's not saying much.
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11/07/08
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JCVD (2008)
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Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:95
Fresh:81
Rotten:14
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: JCVD is a touching, fascinating piece, with Jean-Claude Van Damme confounding all with his heartfelt performance.
Theatrical Release:Nov 7, 2008 Limited
Box Office: $382,923
Synopsis: In JCVD, a French- and English-language film from savvily tenebrous director Mabrouk El Mechri, Jean-Claude Van Damme is Jean-Claude Van Damme. Losing his roles to Steven Seagal and a custody... [More]
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Francois Damiens, Zinedine Soualem, Karim Belkhadra
Director: Mabrouk El Mechri
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Reviews for JCVD
Top CriticAn existential-heist thriller with moments of dark comedy, JCVD is decidedly different and has its moments but you probably have to be a diehard fan to really cherish it.
02/05/09
Our chastened hero steers a confusing course between self-parody and self-justification. "Van Damme needs just one thing ..." runs the tag line, "... to be himself". But does anyone still care?
01/30/09
even with a smart concept and playful humor, JCVD runs out of juice before its conclusion
12/14/08
JCVD sputters badly during the bank heist scenes which, unfortunately, make up the bulk of the film.
11/12/08
The film itself doesn’t rise above the level of a good try. In the absence of Godardian wit, JCVD needs more kickboxing.
11/03/08
Top CriticPart career-resuscitation attempt and part serious cry for help, Mabrouk El Mechri’s Damme Day Afternoon rebranding effort is an incredibly intriguing failure.
11/05/08
This may be the best movie he’s made. It’s in French, by the way.
01/30/09
His face has a Bogart-esque haggardness, and his speeches about his life and career have at least a semblance of painful sincerity. This spectacle isn’t enough to keep the film from dragging, but it certainly has curiosity value.
02/05/09
The shock of seeing the "Muscles From Brussels" emote may have blinded many to the fact that his big comeback vehicle is a pretty mediocre movie.
12/11/08
Instead of being a spiffy spoof, the movie gives its star little to do.
11/07/08
Top CriticYou could hit up the DVD value bin and stage yourself a Lionheart and Kickboxer marathon to see the man the way he'd want to be remembered. Or at least the way I'd like to remember him.
01/15/09
It's as if he's trying to reach through the screen and show us the real guy behind the image he's spent a lifetime creating. I'm not sure if he's successful, but the attempt is fascinating.
02/09/09
I sorta enjoyed myself. I could have done without the scene where he floats in anguished reverie, making Hamlet sound like an extrovert.
11/14/08
Top CriticIf you only ever watch one Van Damme movie, it has to be JCVD.
01/30/09
El Mechri really thinks he is making Citizen Kane in his non-linear deconstruction of a mythical man. He hasn't, but it's a heck of a curio.
11/13/08
Van Damme has never done work like this before, and he's supported by the director's unique vision for the film
03/27/09
van Damme's on-screen invincibility is summarily demolished, leaving us with a picture of a very different man.
01/22/09
I was very satisfied seeing Van Damme prove that he can do something besides action, and what better way to do that then playing yourself? Even non-fans will be surprised by this!
12/12/08
What if I told you that one of the coolest and most creative films of the fall starred.... Jean Claude Van Damme?
11/17/08
Latest News for JCVD
April 27, 2009:
RT on DVD: JCVD, Animated X-Men, and Star Trek on Blu-ray
This week, home video enthusiasts have all kinds of new flicks -- fresh and rotten -- to peruse, starting with a surprising comeback by former action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme... More...
February 01, 2009:
Van Damme Is Hungry for More Bloodsport 
How does Jean-Claude Van Damme intend to use the goodwill he earned with "JCVD"? According to a new interview with Total Film, the Muscles is working on a "very mature" sequel... More...
November 07, 2008:
Switching it up from dumb and dumber action thrillers to smart alek moviemaking, JCVD is Van Damme's girlie man unplugged, and literally his own worst enemy. It's no Dog Day Afternoon, but still a sensitive tough guy mock reality show with balls.
More...
November 05, 2008:
Total Recall: Kickin' It With Jean-Claude Van Damme
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you -- for this week's Total Recall, we're taking a look at the best-reviewed works of a career whose cumulative output has been the target of... More...
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