Cleaner (2008) Movie Information:

Cleaner (2008) Directed by: Renny Harlin Cleaner (2008) Written by: Matthew Aldrich Cleaner (2008) Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, Keke Palmer, Eva Mendes, Christa Campbell

Cleaner (2008) U.S. Distributor: MGM Cleaner (2008) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Cleaner (2008) Synopsis:

The project centers on Jackson's character Tom, an extremely hygienic man who uses this urge in his professional life as a crime scene cleaner. When he somehow becomes involved in a job he later finds out was a covered up murder, he gets tied in to a web of deception, that unearth his own family's long buried pain and secrets.

Cleaner (2008) Movie Review:

Action filmmaker Renny Harlin has had his ups and downs in the industry, from delivering terrific action films (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger) to one of biggest financial flops ever (Cutthroat Island), to horrible teen thrillers (The Covenant). Looking to redeem himself, he reteams with his Deep Blue Sea and The Long Kiss Goodnight star Samuel L. Jackson with Cleaner. The film is more of a thriller than action and is neither terrific nor horrible, but right in the middle of being modest.

Jackson plays Tom Cutler, who is an ex-cop that now specializes in cleaning up bloody scenes after the deceased are taken away by the police. Besides running the company named “Steri-Clean,” is also a widower raising his teenage daughter Rose (Keke Palmer). After finishing up a job at upscale home with no one around, Tom forgets to leave the key to the house under a plant as instruction by the job request paperwork. However, when he arrives back at the house, the owner Ann Norcut (Eva Mendes) has no idea of who he is and Tom learns that her husband has mysteriously disappeared. Tom smells a setup and looks to the assist of his old partner, Eddie (Ed Harris) for assistance. As the impatient Ann’s continues to ask questions, Tom begins to pinpoint clue after clue as to what happens as he learns he is in a lot more than he first anticipated.

Harlin keeps the pace of the film smooth and very simple transitions make it look effortless. However, Cleaner is nothing fresh, the setup is solid, the execution is formulaic, and the conclusion is sour. The concept is something to work with, but the film itself is still just an ordinary thriller, with no real bite to it. First time screenwriter Matthew Aldrich drenches Jackson’s character with too many past flaws or sketchy areas, but hardly fleshes out any of the other characters. The entire third act is a letdown, with the supposed twist of the murderer obviously pointed out to you. Aldrich set the film up a lot better than he ended it; the voice over by Jackson gives insight to his job, but could have been left out. There is also mention of a huge corrupt character named Vaughn that is central to some of the characters’ actions, but the character is never unveiled to the viewer.

Samuel L. Jackson is a spark in this film and he keeps the audience’s attention. Without him or Ed Harris in their roles, this thriller might have been good going straight to television. Eva Mendes is really just there in her role and Luis Guzman arises as a crooked detective on the case of the missing husband. Young Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee) continues to show she is an actress on the rise as Tom’s outspoken daughter that loves classic movies.

Cleaner is not a terrible, nor a good film, but it is watchable mostly for Jackson’s presence and his character’s job concept. Renny Harlin does not return to his capable form with this film, but it is a lot better than his last few outings.

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Cleaner (2008) review written by: Bailey Henderson