The Cleaner

"The Cleaner" is about a working class man who gets unexpectedly embroiled in something messy. The story itself is fairly interesting, but character development is inadequate, so I don't find myself caring for any of them.

It doesn't really weork as film, tale, or entertainment piece. There really just isn't enough going on, and the life of a cleaner looking for a strange woman's son does not a story make, even if there are a palette of small details tacked on to add some depth and breath.

Its a very low key story with most of the characters having little or nothing to add to the proceedings. I'm not even sure why the films is called the cleaner since he never actually does any cleaning, and aside from the opening scene, there isn't any reference to it, nor does it have any baring on the screenplay.

The performances are actually quite good and the characters do well with the roles they are given. In fact, I'd not say the film is bad, or even uninteresting, just that there isn't enough going on to flesh out a film, and the frequent periods where the screenplay creeps along at a snails pace make watching little more than a chore.

Truthfully, it's not that bad, but its lacking in some essential elements to make it interesting enough to watch. The unfortnate thing is that basically it is a good story and had a little more time and effort been spent to add some dimension, I think it could have been at least, a decent film.

Ok, I can't reccomend it, and were it not for the suspect 10/10 reviews listed here, I'd not have bothered in the first place. I think 4 is a fair score, 5 at a stretch on a generous day.

There were a few story problems but overall, a very enjoyable film. I loved the cinematography, the settings and the cast. Outstanding performances from Lynda Carter, Shelley Long, Eden Brolin, and King Orba.

The excellent production design underscored the off-the-wall tone of a story about a man (King Orba) living with his mother (Shelley Long) on the edge of poverty in a trailer. To make ends meet, he takes an assignment to find a woman's (Lynda Carter) son, who's estranged from her. An assignment he shouldn't have taken.

Got quite a kick out of it. Seeing Shelly Long and Lynda Carter again was a treat. I thought the whole production was well done. Probably classed as an independent movie, it surpassed all my expectations. One of the reasons for the review was to add a viewpoint to the 1s and 10s. It's not a 10 but it is far, far from a 1.

The seller for me was the setting and the characters. These are real characters in real settings, not "movie people." I could buy in to the story quite easily because you've sorta known people like this or lived some it yourself if you're an average Joe or Jill. That's what makes it fun. The reality. But there is a tongue in cheek feeling to it as well. They're definitely winking at you as they run the story by you. I like noir and this is a modern take.

And the script and the production value and the acting were all great for the story conveyed.

Probably a 7 1/2. If you like this type of thing, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Worth a look, for sure.

Something to watch at a laid out night, then ''the cleaner'' will be on top of my advice list. Its a mum and son story from the lesser middleclass trailer park neighbourhood somewhere in L. A usa.

Making a living as a housecleaner, people come up to him and asks for other favours too, and this is what the film is all about. It starts in situ, then rolls back and reveals a story so simplebut engaging that you will dash in whether you will or not.

Cast consists of many fallen but not yet forgotten acting stars of hollywood, shelly long of cheers couldnt hide cause her voice are a brandmark and king orba does an orson welles like performance as the cleaner.

Its a story of loveand hate, violence and death, and a heart filled with hope till the bitter end. It aint a bloody shootout movie, its more a search and rescue story that you wont regret taking a part in.

The production is solid as a rock, low budget butmade in a warm glow that only a few of todays filmographers can make. Plot and storyline good, playtime perfect, so the grumpy old man recommends.