Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors Review

• 13th May 2011

It’s become apparent that virtually any struggling celebrity (and I use the word ‘celebrity’ loosely) is destined to get their own fly-on-the-wall reality show. We’ve had everything from large breasted bimbos (Katie Price and her collagen lips) through to fame hungry cretins. Now it seems that 80s movie stars are also getting in on the action. First there was Steven Seagal providing his own brand of potbellied policing. Now there’s Jean-Claude Van Damme bareing all in front of the camera.

Finally, here’s a show which appeals to a more lad-orientated market, allowing fans of the Muscles From Brussels to see behind the scenes of his daily life. In all honesty it was only a matter of time before this was bound to happen with one of the action movie heroes from yesteryear. But is it any good?

Surprisingly it’s actually a rather enjoyable show and as a fan myself (which I have no shame in admitting) it’s intriguing to see how JC interacts with the general public, his family and various filmmakers. For fans of action films it’s a real buzz to see behind the scenes of the various films he’s currently working on. It’s utterly jaw-dropping when you realise that he actually likes to make contact with the stunt men during action sequences – much to the shock of at least two stunt extras.

The series neither paints him in a good or a bad light. It’s decidedly middle ground and for a reality show (which hinges on how it’s edited) it’s very much down to the viewer’s discretion as to how you wish to perceive Jean-Claude. One of the main areas that is interesting (if a tad soppy at times) is his general love for both his family and pets. In the first episode you see him and his son rescue a stray puppy (in-between shooting scenes for his latest film) which he nurses back to health.

Highlights of the series include his wife (Gladys) visiting the diner where they had their first date, Jean-Claude filming a cameo in a comedy (dressed in drag), seeing him celebrate his birthday at the Moulin Rouge, watching behind-the-scenes fight choreographing with fellow action star Scott Adkins and seeing Jean-Claude being honoured with a lifetime achievement award in his native Belgium. The series also manages to produce a chuckle when he gives the fake name (of a rather famous Belgium comic character) when he stays at hotels.

One thing it does do really well is show how Jean-Claude is training for his first ring-fight in almost 30 years. Seeing him come to terms with his aging physicality feels like an 80s inspirational montage sequence. It makes you wonder though: Will it be Sudden Death for the aging martial artist in the ring? Or will it be a case of him being too much of a Hard Target for his opponent to hit? Well, that would be giving away too much, but any fan of Van Damme will want to watch to find out.

It can be very run of the mill at times but it’s interesting to see that although Jean-Claude does manage to come off as a complex individual at times, he also comes across as an arrogant fool. I suppose it’s free to interpretation depending who’s viewing it. It certainly isn’t going to win any awards but as a piece of entertaining TV this will do the job for most, be it fans of the man himself or those who just enjoy reality shows. It’s recommended as entertaining fluff. Now if only Dolph Lundgren could use his MIT skills and get involved with his own Brian Cox-style science programme, but with more roundhouse kicks, the world will be complete. Until that day this will suffice for action fans.

Dominic O’Brien