Rating: NNN
Cleaner (Sony, 2007) D: Renny Harlin, w/ Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris. Rating: NNN DVD package: NNN
Once the clues start popping up, the murder isn’t too hard to solve. Still, such character-driven mysteries are thin on the ground, and this one benefits from a script that gives weight to the personal elements and backstory, integrating them fully into the crime story.
Samuel L. Jackson as the crime-scene cleaner who’s stumbled into a murder, Ed Harris as his buddy on the force and Luis Guzmán as a crooked cop deliver solid, low-key performances, and newcomer Keke Palmer shines as the cleaner’s troubled daughter.
On his friendly commentary, Renny Harlin sounds positively pleased to be away from effects extravaganzas like Deep Blue Sea. When he isn’t thanking everybody but god, he’s got some good stories and low-budget shooting tips.
EXTRAS Harlin commentary, deleted scenes, copy to PC or PSP program. Widescreen. English, French, Thai audio. English, French, Chinese, Thai subtitles.
