This is an interesting film only because it comes across as a self condemnation by Jean Claude Van Damme. Van Damme plays himself in this darkly comedic parody where he is out of money, desperate for a good gig and has just lost his daughter in a bitter divorce battle. In other words, he's a loser losing it all. The non-acting actor stumbles onto a robbery and a hostage situation erupts. Thanks to overzealous fans, the situation deteriorates as the authorities assume he is the one who has taken the hostages over frustration about his lagging career and failed private life. Van Damme must act as heroic lead to the hostages while being forced to play hostage taker to the authorities to keep everyone safe.

Van Damme is a great pick for the lead since he doesn't garner much respect over his body of work, but is still an undeniable success in his field. The duality of public and private man is surprisenly well handled by Van Damme and he has some moments where he actually acts. He may have made this self immolating film as an attempt to break into more serious roles, or as an odd confessional for a life spent making cinematic Twinkies. I do not know his reasoning. What I do know is that this move effectively kills his action film career. One can't watch this film and then go watch another one of his movies...not that it was an easy task to begin with. This film has the same result as the disastrous Metallica: Some Kind of Monster where the metal band documented their trip through group therapy. Once you lift the veil and see these people as being made of the same flimsy stuff we're all made of, the tough guy image is disintegrated. There's no going back.

The film itself is a well done parody. It is self aware and easily mocks its subjects while still giving a reasonably good story. As I mentioned, Van Damme does a notable job and director Mabrouk El Mechri is smart enough to keep things from getting too serious while still hitting on some rather somber points. Is this a great film? No. Does it ignite a new branch in Van Damme's career? No. Is it entertaining? I thought so. This is one of those films that if you see it, you probably wont' feel like you wasted your time. If you don't see it, you won't miss it.


Related Reviews:
Hostage films
Hostage (2005)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Roger Ebert
Cut Print Review

Labels: film, Jean Claude Van Damme, movie review