Le Jardinier

This stupid French action comedy starring Jean-Claude Van Damme relies on tropes that don’t work in today’s world. It wraps an absurd story around a more serious one but, even after we learn of the serious story, we don't feel anything because there’s too much unbelievable and absurd stuff happening.

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Van Damme is the gardener of a politician who is slated to be assassinated. All through the movie, the politician condescends to the gardener, even though it’s the gardener who is killing the bad guys and keeping the family alive. The movie tries to be scary (but it’s not) and funny (but it’s not).

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On a personal level, Van Damme has been accused by the Romanian Government of trafficking women, he cheats on his wives, and has questionable political views, but at 64 years old, he is not only still in great shape, he seems to be a better actor in his native language than he is in English.

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I can’t really recommend this, but if you do watch it, watch it in French with English subtitles.

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