Steri-Clean and the Human Element

I liked Cleaner. The storyline was predictable, yes, but the solid acting kept the momentum going. The plot didn't 'wow' me, but did I really need to be wowed? If the content of Cleaner had been reworked, the director's vision tweaked, sans mystery and intrigue, I believe it could have made for a gripping independent-style film; something akin to Sunshine Cleaning, though more intense, especially given the chops of the cast. Then again, maybe Renny Harlin purposely straddled the indie/mainstream fence since the heart of the story is the human element (I especially enjoyed the dinner at Miguel's) and felt obligated to use cliched plot devices to appease the studio and its backers.

The cast is enough to carry Cleaner as is. They would have excelled if the more poignant story had been told.


Objection, your Honor. You can't preface your second point with "first of all."