The Plot
Tom Cutler (played by Samuel L. Jackson) is a slightly anal-retentive ex-cop who leaves the force for a career as a crime scene cleaner after the murder of his wife. He lives with his teenage daughter, Rose, and they both continue to struggle with the violence of his wife’s death.
At the start of Cleaner, Tom gets a seemingly legitimate call to clean a crime scene. Little does he know that this crime has yet to be reported to the police and he unwittingly aids the murderer by obliterating any trace of the crime.
Upon realizing his mistake, he returns to the house and encounters the victim’s wife, Ann Norcut (played by Eva Mendes). Ann’s husband is subsequently reported missing and her suspicion about the confusing conversation she has with Tom grows. Knowing that he will certainly become the prime suspect if he goes to the police and reports the mix-up, Cutler decides to conceal his involvement with the crime scene clean-up. Enlisting the help of his ex-partner, Eddie Lorenzo (played by Ed Harris), he begins his own investigation of the murder.
As the story progresses the viewer gets a glimpse into Tom’s past. It seems that he and Lorenzo may have taken justice into their own hands after the death of Tom’s wife. These indiscretions seem to be vaguely connected to Tom’s current predicament. During the course of their investigation they discover a wide network of police corruption involving Ann Norcut’s late husband. Ann eventually shows Tom a ledger listing numerous payoffs and the correlating badge numbers of the police officers involved in the scheme.
The Actors
Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris and Eva Mendes all deliver outstanding performances in Cleaner. The viewer is instantly sympathetic to Tom’s plight. Cutler’s grief over his wife’s traumatic demise is palpable. In one heart rending scene, he takes a whiff of his late wife’s perfume, hammering home the significance of his loss. Ed Harris’ portrayal of Eddie Lorenzo is just as exemplary. Lorenzo is a lonely but loyal friend, always attendant in his duties to Tom and his daughter Rose. Although Eva Mendes’ role as Ann Norcut is altogether too brief, she too manages to flesh out a well developed character.
However, the best performance in Cleaner is given by Keke Palmer who plays Cutler’s daughter, Rose. Her depiction of an inconsolable teenager truly shines.
The Downfall
Despite the excellent performances in Cleaner, the key to this mystery is too easily found. Within the first thirty minutes the viewer can effortlessly connect the dots. Furthermore, the sub-plot of police corruption is unnecessary and confusing, continually referencing a character that is never actually seen in the movie.
- Cleaner
- Director: Renny Harlin
- Run Time: 88 minutes
- Rating: R
