JCVD

Gaumont's "JCVD," a French-language meta-movie parody par excellence, constitutes the headiest stretch of the beefy star's career since, well, ever.

That's a quote from Variety. If Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler has rejuvenated the career of bad-boy Micky Rourke, then JCVD might have just resurrected the career of 80s action maven, Jean-Claude Van Damme (his initials making up the title for those of you taking notes). In the film, Jean-Claude plays himself, or at least a likeness of himself-an aging action star whose personal life is on course to be smashed against the rocks in a sea of mounting problems. This ultimately comes to a head when he stumbles upon a robbery at the post office; unfortunately, due to speculative circumstances and gossiping, the media believes it is Jean-Claude who is perpetrating the crime, seizing on the tabloid sensationalism of what they assume has to be the man's last gasp for attention.

There is a lot poking fun at the industry and self-depreciation, but mixed in with this is a layer of melancholy which one might think a mirage; however, it becomes obvious as the film progresses that there is a genuine honesty at work culminating in a scene every review I've read has talked about; it's a monologue that, if scripted, demonstrates acting skill we'd not yet seen or, if unscripted, is some of the most honest, naked, soul-bearing ever put to film. I believe this scene is from where the main poster image was taken.

You can find the trailer over at Apple. Meanwhile, the real Jean-Claude Van Damme is hard at work on the post-production of an action-drama set in Southeast Asia called The Eagle Path which he also directed with Doug Milsome (Full Metal Jacket) behind the lens. Color me curious...