(2008; French and English) In Los Angeles famous (but aging, now 47) star of Hollywood action movies, "Muscles from Brussels," Jean-Claude Van Damme (as himself) fights in court against his ex-wife for custody of their daughter (who testifies that her friends make fun of her whenever they see her father in old movies on TV) before returning alone to his home in Brussels to make a fresh start.

Suffering from jet lag and lack of sleep, JCVD takes a taxi from the airport (talkative female cabbie says he's her idol, though he looks better on the screen) to a post office (a Belgian bank) to receive a transfer of money (his credit card isn't valid). Before going inside, two Arabs from a video store request a photo op and autograph, as does the cabbie.

When he enters the post office, he becomes involved in a hold up - "Not a movie, real life." Director Mabrouk El Mechri contrasts the points of view of characters outside the post office with JCVD's perspective inside in this vicious action comedy.

Police Commissioner Christian Bruges (François Damiens), required to strip down to his shorts for negotiating in person, has the impression that JCVD is the leader of the heist. JCVD's parents are called in to ask their son to surrender or at least release a child hostage.

Arthur, one of the three thugs, requests JCVD to demonstrate his karate kick, knocking a cigar out of a hostage's mouth. Afterward, Arthur, five years older and nowhere near being in great physical shape, attempts the same stunt. This picture is a kick in the head.

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Copyright © 2009 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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