IMDb > JCVD (2008)
JCVD
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 12 | slideshow) Videos (see all 13)
JCVD (2008) -- JCVD: Trailer
JCVD (2008) -- Between his tax problems and his legal battle with his wife for the custody of his daughter, these are hard times for the action movie star who finds that even Steven Seagal has pinched a role from him...
JCVD (2008) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   13,435 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 30% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Mabrouk El Mechri (scenario)
Frédéric Benudis (collaboration)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for JCVD on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 June 2008 (France) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Be Aware more
Plot:
Between his tax problems and his legal battle with his wife for the custody of his daughter, these are... more | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Interesting movie, with a terrific performance by Van Damme. more (88 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Jean-Claude Van Damme ... J.C.V.D.
François Damiens ... Bruges
Zinedine Soualem ... L'homme au bonnet
Karim Belkhadra ... Le vigile
Jean-François Wolff ... Le trentenaire
Anne Paulicevich ... La guichetière
Liliane Becker ... Mère JCVD
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
François Beukelaers ... Père JCVD

John Flanders ... Prosecuting attorney
Saskia Flanders ... J.C.V.D.'s daughter
Dean Gregory ... Realisateur de Tobey Wood
Kim Hermans ... Prisoner in kickboxing outfit

Janine Horsburgh ... JCVD assistant
Vincent Lecuyer ... Vendeur Vidéo Club
Raphaëlle Lubansu ... Otage 1
Steve Preston ... Accessoiriste JCVD
Paul Rockenbrod ... Tobey Wood
Alan Rossett ... Bernstein
Norbert Rutili ... Perthier
Jesse Joe Walsh ... Jeff
Leslie Woodhall ... Prison visitor
Mourade Zeguendi ... Client Vidéo Club
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Le rois des Belges (Belgium: French title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for language and some violence.
Runtime:
97 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The opening intro scene was filmed at the end of the shoot for insurance reasons. It was rehearsed over an entire night and shot 4 or 5 takes. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the scene where the two guys talk about movies in the Video-store the one claims that Stallone fought against Arabs in "Rambo 3". But actually in "Rambo 3" John Rambo was fighting FOR Arabs in Afghanistan and against the "bad" Russian troops. more
Quotes:
Policier: Central to Unit 27. Jean-Claude Van Damme's robbing a post office. I need back-up. more
Movie Connections:
References "The Sopranos" (1999) more
Soundtrack:
Hard Times more

FAQ

When is JCVD coming to DVD?
more
115 out of 124 people found the following comment useful.
Interesting movie, with a terrific performance by Van Damme., 5 June 2008
7/10
Author: Squeele

Interesting concept from french director Mabrouk el Mechri: real action star Jean Claude Van Damme is engaged into a bitter legal battle for his daughter's custody. Said daughter is mocked by her classmates for her father's antics, and prefers staying with her mother. Ridiculed by the media and smarty-pants naysayers, condemned to shoot sub-par B-movies in eastern Europe, almost broke and devastated by his little girl's condition, Jean Claude flies back to his native Belgium in order to find solace. After an odd encounter with small time crooks, his life and perception by the public will be changed forever.

From a direction/scriptwriting point of view, the movie is somewhat lacking focus. It's relying a bit too much on inside jokes and heist movie clichés, for better or worse. There are some truly great moments (the opening scene is hilarious - any scene using Baby Huey's "Hard Times" tune cannot be bad anyway; the court scenes are cleverly written and the very last shot finds a perfect balance of emotion without being overblown or tear-jerking) and the whole film deserves praise for being original and clever. However it stretches some scenes way too much, uses an awful bleached color scheme that could turn off some people (it's just a detail, but it annoyed me throughout the whole screening) and uses unnecessary flashbacks instead of sticking to a more tight storytelling, which could've benefited the movie in my humble opinion.

However, these little flaws are nothing compared to the enormous heart this movie displays. Jean Claude Van Damme may not be Daniel Day Lewis or Sean Penn, but he gives an astounding performance in this film. He's very comfortable in the comical scenes, but his acting chops really shine when the movie gets emotional. His long monologue, looking at the camera, and the audience (and perhaps even God) is nothing short of amazing. In his own words, he really begs for a second chance not only in his career, but in life. He's incredibly moving (acting in his native language helps a lot) and above all doesn't try to pretend he's something more than a washed up movie star, with a somewhat limited vocabulary. He just asks for one more chance, and judging by this flick he truly deserves it.

Overall, a nice surprise for those unfamiliar with "the Muscles from Brussels" and a refreshing comedy. Except a few complaints about the pace and the direction it's a highly recommended movie. And hopefully the beginning of a new career for JCVD.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (88 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for JCVD (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Doesn't the monolgue make you evaluate your own life? sonofjorel316
JCVD Post production video (new) paceywitter-1
Being shot in the head pullgees
The shelves were empty! bgil66
Van Damme has always been a good actor... this just proves it. cinema-denizen
Why the grungy colour? pullgees
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Strangers on a Train Trzy kolory: Bialy Reservoir Dogs Live Free or Die Hard The Limey
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb Belgium section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.