Van Damme has always been a good actor... this just proves it.
Yeah, about time. Jean-Claude Van Damme's recognition as a serious actor is long overdue.
People never really noticed some of the gems he has delivered acting wise in the past. Especially, the performance he gave under the direction of Ringo Lam in "In Hell", "Replicant" and "Maximum Risk". In the latter, the emotion he conveyed was amazing. While not the best movie ever, I think there were moments where you could really tell what kind of acting skills JC(Jean Claude) really has. Mainly, the scene where he is listening to the recording that his recently deceased brother left for him. Just the most subtle of things did it for me in that one, the lip quiver the feeling of loss in the eyes, everything about it... perfect. Ask anyone I know, I have always been a fan of JC's since day one. While people laughed at me and took the route of admiring a real no-talent action star like Steven Seagal, I always knew JC had it in him. I think some people can't tell the difference between not being able to TALK, and not being able to ACT. Van Damme, Schwarzenegger, and Stallone... can't TALK very well, whether it be because of an accent or speech impediment, but it was never because of not being able to act. On the other hand, there's Seagal, Chuck Norris and a slew of other action stars, that just CAN'T ACT... plain and simple. They can speak the language perfectly, but can't show emotion. But JCVD's monologue in this movie proves he can ACT. That scene was amazingly well done(whether people wanna admit it or not).
I'm just glad that he has finally gotten a role that could really let him shine as an actor, and people are actually respecting him for it. Finally, respect where it is due. I just hope these kind of roles keep coming for him. Good job, and good luck on the re-birth of your career Jean Claude Van Damme. Amen.