JCVD

Hey, guys.  When Charlie and I attended the Cannes Film Festival this past summer in regard to "Jasmine," we were more than a little surprised by the ads we kept seeing for Mabrouk El Mechri's new film, "JCVD."  It isn't that we had anything against Mechri, per se.  The reason, rather, was because the poster looked like this...

Now, I don't know what kind of star power Van Damme commands in the rest of the world these days, but it's safe to say that in the U.S. market his stock hasn't just fallen, it's virtually non-existent.  Therefore, upon seeing the posters, I asked Charlie, "Is Van Damme a big star in France or something?" 

"I don't even think Van Damme is a star in his own hometown," Charlie replied. 

Needless to say, we were completely bewildered, as to why JCVD was getting so much attention.  Furthermore, we couldn't figure out what on earth the film was about.  Was it an action film?  Was it a documentary?  Was it a form of self-parody?  We had no clue. 

In fact, it wasn't until recently that I finally read the following synopsis online: "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! In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme returns to the country of his birth to seek the peace and tranquility he can no longer enjoy in the United States."

Unfortunately, this did little to clear up my confusion and it did even less in terms of making me want to see the film.  Personally, I was never much of a Van Damme fan.  However, I've always been a big fan of comeback stories.  More than that, I love it when stars are able to poke fun at themselves.  This is why I love Charlie Sheen in "Two and a Half Men."  And this is why, upon seeing the official trailer for "JCVD," I can't fucking wait to see this movie!  Check this shit out...

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAMobwJwFYY

Come on, admit it.  You, too, are intrigued.  The film will be begin playing in limited release on November 7th and will be showing at the Nuart, one of my favorite art house theaters in L.A., on the 14th. 

I am so there.

-Dax