Cleaner (2007)

Friday, 05 December 2008 00:00

Reviewed by Lisa Fore

Genre: Thriller/Drama
Released: (DVD Premiere) 27 May 2008
Rating: R for bloody images, some violence and language

Director: Renny Harlin
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Features
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Bonus digital copy
Commentary with director Renny Harlin
Deleted scenes

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Even wonder what happens to the scene of a crime after the state takes the body away?

Tom Cutler (Samuel Jackson) gives us a basic run-down, as he introduces us to his job of being a 'Cleaner,' and being a former cop Cutler is no stranger to the mess of a crime scene. By the time he finishes the tips and rituals of the job, we realize he's relaying probably the best "What I'm Up To" story ever told to a group at a high school reunion.

After a few moments of dead air between his former classmates, one of them mentions that his sick mother-in-law is currently living in his house..."hardly leaves the room most days..." and then quickly asks for Cutler's card. And just to prove to more business people that reunions are the best place to network, everyone in the group grabs up Cutler's cards as well.

As a recent widower and single father, the only stresses in his life seems to be avoiding the subject of his wife's murder with his daughter Rose, and an old friend, Eddie Lorenzo (Ed Harris) - who seems to be as adamant about talking to him as Cutler is in avoiding his call.

All that changes when he returns to finish up the Norcut house (his latest job), and he becomes the center of a surprise party by mistake. The hostess, Ann Norcut (Eva Mendes), walks him to the door and further confusion ensues as Cutler tries to explain the work he did yesterday, to which Mrs. Norcut coldly says that she never hired him. Naturally sensing trouble, and after awkwardly pretending to be at the wrong house, he researches the order: a police officer ordered the job, but according to the station, the cop doesn't exist, and there's no case number or paperwork on their end that refers to Norcut at all.

A few days later, Mrs. Norcut is waiting for him in his office with questions and barely-contained suspicion as she now mentions that her husband is missing. Soon his old cop-friends come calling when it looks like Cutler may have cleaned up crucial evidence of Norcut's death, placing him in the center of a possible conspiracy.

Cleaner has the fabulous flavor of a good old-fashioned detective story with a unique occupational twist and crisp, strong performances from the entire cast. Although the truly powerful natures of film legends Ed Harris and Sam Jackson aren't really brought to the fore here, it's always great to see them at work. Mendes takes a nice step up from her standard quiet, sexy arm-candy roles but her character is still rather underused. Surprisingly, I found the brightest performance come from Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee), as Tom's daughter Rose Cutler, proving she can stand on her own intense ground alongside a heavy-weight like Jackson.

Cleaner is definitely on my re-play list.

Overall Rating: 4

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Last Updated ( Friday, 27 March 2009 15:17 )