JCVD

Name: JCVD
Genre: Action, Drama, Crime
Released: November 7, 2008
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 80 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 80 Ratings

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JCVD

Movie Details & Credits

Peace Arch Entertainment Group | Release Date: November 7, 2008

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme

Summary: JCVD is an action-packed, comedic satire of the life of movie hero Jean-Claude Van Damme. Playing himself, Jean-Claude finds himself out of money, fighting for custody of his daughter and losing every good action role to Steven Seagal. In an attempt to escape, the aging star walks away from his shrinking spotlight and returns home to hisJCVD is an action-packed, comedic satire of the life of movie hero Jean-Claude Van Damme. Playing himself, Jean-Claude finds himself out of money, fighting for custody of his daughter and losing every good action role to Steven Seagal. In an attempt to escape, the aging star walks away from his shrinking spotlight and returns home to his native Brussels. But when he is thrown into a real-life hostage situation, everyone sees a side of Van Damme they've never seen before as he takes on the police, battles the perpetrators and creates a media firestorm that captures the attention of the world. (Peach Arch Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Mabrouk El Mechri

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum

A reality-twisting cousin to "Being John Malkovich" -- showcases a Van Damme who's sly like a fox about his own image. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Liam Lacey

Unlike "Being John Malkovich," which JCVD sometimes resembles, there is no secret portal to the star's head; instead, the audience gets a fleeting glimpse through the smeared window of his soul. Read full review

USA Today - Claudia Puig

JCVD is a whimsical twist on the biopic, sending up heist movies and breaking cinematic rules to interesting effect. At a critical moment, Van Damme rises out of a tense hostage situation to look into the camera and speak movingly to the audience. He has never seemed more convincing. Read full review

Chicago Reader - J.R. Jones

This functions perfectly well as a Van Damme vehicle, but it's also a funny and poignant look at a man trapped by his own ridiculous reputation. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Bernard Besserglik

JCVD should entertain both movie and action buffs. Van Damme proves once and for all that he's not just a set of glistening pectorals. However, he's still in no danger of being asked to play Hamlet. Read full review

Village Voice - J. Hoberman

What exactly is JCVD? Comedy? Confession? Confusion? No one will ever mistake these backstage shenanigans for "Irma Vep." But as a self-regarding expression of masculine angst, it's a Damme sight more fun than "Synecdoche." Read full review

New York Post - Kyle Smith

Combines a sketch-comedy premise with pacing like a philosophy seminar. Read full review

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User Reviews

Feb 2, 2009

A very refreshing action movie, with a heartbreaking performance by Van Damme itself. The monologue's great!

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JonathanK

Jan 14, 2009

I was extremely surprised by how good this was. I was expecting something like a mockumentary, but it's more of a dramatic heist movie. Jean-Claude knocks it out of the park, I highly recommend catching this in the theater if it's in your area.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AdrieH

Jan 21, 2009

JCVD sheds much needed light on the humanity of Jean-claude. His performance was amazing-- easily up there with the years best.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChrisB

May 27, 2009

Probably his best movie ever, hopefully the start of a new phase in his career.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Eternalz

Aug 6, 2012

Who said Jean Claude Van Damme can't act? This movie is really good. It really shows all the prejudice people have against Van Damme after all his bad action movies in the past. He wants to put all that behind himself and move on. And this movie really shows how great he really is.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Leif

Oct 6, 2013

Interesting meta-film with a commanding and raw performance by Van Damme. It's conceit works out surprisingly well and the central performance is quite a thing to behold.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ZiggyZ

Nov 7, 2008

Wow. Failed horribly.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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