I try to enter every movie with an open mind. I bailed on this one after 20 minutes.

This one had been sitting on my watch list for a little while so it was nice to finally see it. First off, I was surprised how French it was. I don't mean in a bad way it's just a bit jarring seeing Van Damme in this way if you've only watched his American films. But honestly, that's what makes this movie. For me it feels like it's role that gets the viewer to observe him in a different light and truly humanize him. He had this trajectory as an action star in Hollywood where he made a few big movies but was never taken seriously as an actor. With his thick and goofy accent, I think he was viewed as succeeding despite being viewed as a bit comical in most of his roles.That's why this movie was so interesting as he's playing a version of himself that has aged out of those sort of roles that made him famous. And because he speaks mostly French it helps you witness a more natural side of him where it's easier to see under all the character he became in the US there's a real person that had to work his butt off to succeed.Really neat movie, it made me want him to do a wider variety of roles. You can tell there is more to him than just a guy good at martial arts.

"JCVD" gives homage to the actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, who's career kicked off in 1988 with an action movie called "Bloodsport". The film produced in season 2007/2008 in the actor's originated area Belgium has been given an art-house touch by director Mabrouk El Mechri, who is having fun with the written material, but is unable to make any statement that would stick with the audience after the movie runs out. In that sense the film stays a visual collage of arranged sequences in which the lead takes reminiscence to his past movies and signature action moves. Anything further in the script as sub themes from a custody court drama to a bank hostage situation is forgettable. The cinematographer wants to be innovative as Emmanuel Lubezki's orchestrated urban war sequence in "Children of Men" (2006) but only falls flat with no immersive push ins. So everything whats left of an indecisively directed wanna-be art-house film is the performance of Jean-Claude Van Damme, who uses the loosely connected scenes to show some personal character insides beyond the usual physical action.

The idea of a (once) movie star offering himself up for mockery and self-deprecation is interesting on so many levels, especially when it's a story of said wash-out being swallowed up in a takeover incident. Give Van Damme credit for being a good sport for this. More importantly, he proves himself here as an actor. On that basis alone, "JCVD" deserves your attention.That said, the movie eventually settles into a groove that becomes a rut. That bank scenes are never as good as the sweet opening action extravaganza, or the time-out Van Damme takes late in the game to address the audience. It's during these two scenes that the movie really hits those high notes. But then it's back to the grinding hostage stuff.6/10