JCVD

The Plot: An intimate tale of Jean-Claude Van Damme's true feelings, portrayed through a fictional story, as an aging actor.

The Pros: This is a film worth seeing for the camerawork alone. A very young director (Mabrouk El Mechri) was brought on to the team, and his quietly personal shots are something to admire. Van Damme gives a truly stunning performance, and the personal nature of the script visibly affects him throughout the film. It's an unexpected venture for an actor so respected in a different light, and it certainly is a breath of fresh air.

The Cons: I hate to nitpick a film like this because of its willingness to push the boundaries of convention. However, if I had to identify a weakness, I would say Van Damme's personal development was not touched on nearly as much as it could have been. The most fascinating sequences were those that examined his inner workings during a specific moment, and JCVD could have benifited highly from more.

The Bottom Line: JCVD is a member of the 2008 lineup that will stand out from the rest. El Mechri and Van Damme's effort to humanize an exalted action hero is bold, and it works. Through this fascinating journey into Van Damme's mind, the film world has broken a impeding boundary. Instead of settling with Universal Soldier 2, the creators have pushed to reach an area of Van Damme's persona previously untapped. And it's a wonderful ride.

The Score: 8 / 10