Le jardinier

Watched about half of this move and then walked, so maybe during the second half it completely turned around, but I don't think so. And my expectations weren't that high: I was expecting just another typical JCVD movie, but was disappointed badly. Even for a JCVD vehicle the characters were caricatures, and in case of Micheal Youn's character, simply annoying. The acting is flat, the lines delivered like they were red from a teleprompter.

It's trying very hard to be an action comedy and it is failing miserably. The level of comedy would maybe mildly amuse my 5 year old niece at some points, but even that is a maybe. If you want French comedy try a Louis de Funes movie, if you want action watch an older JCVD movie, but this one is best skipped.

In short: it is a waste of time.

...it turns out the movie is a mess.

It tries to walk that line between comedy and action but the thing is it's never funny - not once. I mean it, it NEVER has a funny moment. And, as far as the action goes it's pretty geriatric and slowpaced. It's hard to write this but - the action is boring.

I gave it a 3/10 because of JCVD but...I mean...that's being generous.

...it turns out the movie is a mess.

It tries to walk that line between comedy and action but the thing is it's never funny - not once. I mean it, it NEVER has a funny moment. And, as far as the action goes it's pretty geriatric and slowpaced. It's hard to write this but - the action is boring.

I gave it a 3/10 because of JCVD but...I mean...that's being generous.

...it turns out the movie is a mess.

It tries to walk that line between comedy and action but the thing is it's never funny - not once. I mean it, it NEVER has a funny moment. And, as far as the action goes it's pretty geriatric and slowpaced. It's hard to write this but - the action is boring.

I gave it a 3/10 because of JCVD but...I mean...that's being generous.

Le jardinier (2025), directed by David Charhon, is a political thriller that follows Serge, a man burdened with a state secret, and his family as they find themselves on a government death list. Along with their gardener Leo, they attempt to devise a plan to survive, all while being hunted by forces beyond their control. While the premise offers a thrilling setup full of tension and intrigue, the film struggles to fully capitalize on its potential.

The performances, while competent, don't fully resonate with the stakes of the story. The cast, including the lead actor, delivers their roles effectively, but the emotional depth required to truly engage the audience is lacking. The characters, particularly Serge, feel one-dimensional, and the relationships between them fail to develop in a way that could heighten the emotional impact of their dangerous situation.

The film's pacing is another issue. The suspense builds at a steady pace, but the plot often feels disjointed, as if key moments are rushed or underexplored. The intrigue of the government conspiracy and the tension of the family's survival are present but fail to fully engage the viewer due to the lack of significant twists or character development. The screenplay, written by Charhon, Vincent De Brus, and Sébastien Fechner, keeps the story moving, but it often relies on genre clichés that diminish the film's originality.

Visually, the film has a polished look, but the cinematography lacks the style and energy needed to elevate the suspense. There are moments of tension, but the film doesn't fully lean into its potential for creating an immersive, high-stakes atmosphere. Instead, the tension often fizzles out before reaching a satisfying climax.

While Le jardinier has a strong premise and offers some moments of excitement, its lack of emotional depth and reliance on predictable thriller tropes make it difficult to fully invest in the characters and their journey. It's a film that could have been far more engaging with stronger character development and a more intricate plot.

Rating: 4/10. A tense thriller with a solid premise, but hindered by underdeveloped characters, pacing issues, and a lack of emotional depth.

This TV movie sees a gardener confronted by a group of Special Forces-type policemen who are trying to kill Michael Youn. The reason doesn't matter; it's a pretext for confronting the gardener, Jean-Claude Van Damme, with these policemen. So this is not a treatise on ethology. Although...

²not Michael Youn, but Matthias Quiviger, who has hilarious dialogue and is the only one who's good.

For lack of fun, for lack of suspense (the film contains none), the film seems pathetic for its Z-movie feel, for Michael Youn's performance (long gone are the days of Fatal Bazooka), for Jean-Claude Van Damme's performance (the few fights are badly cut and, above all, framed in such a way that you can't see that Jean-Claude Van Damme is being double-crossed). Not to mention the final car and motorcycle chase, worthy of a TV movie, whose transparencies are reminiscent of MGM films from the sixties, for very limited interest.

A word of advice to future writers: a comedy should last no longer than ninety minutes.

The Gardener is a mixed bag: it has spirit, it has moments, and Van Damme still shows flash when needed. But it's not quite a coherent or polished experience. For fans of Van Damme, or those who enjoy absurd action/comedies with a political edge, it can be fun. But viewers hoping for sharp satire, a tight thriller, or strong character arcs may feel disappointed.

My rating would be roughly about 3 out of 10 stars. Good for a light, guilty pleasure; not one to expect deep impact.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes, with reservations. Definitely if you're curious, especially if you like Van Damme or enjoy films that mix genres in imperfect but interesting ways. Probably skip or lower your expectations if you want something tighter, more serious, or deeply impactful.