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Clean, 2021
A garbage man known only as Clean (Adrien Brody) has a shady, violent past. He has paternal feelings toward a teenage girl in his neighborhood named Dianda (Chandler DuPont), eventually leading to Clean attacking several young men who are attempting to rape Dianda. But one of the assailants is a teenage boy named Mikey (Richie Merritt) who also just happens to be the son of a violent local mob boss (Glenn Fleshler).
I'm sure it's not fair to blame Taken for what has been an absolute glut of films where gravel-voiced "everymen" reveal their violent pasts in the defense of a young woman's honor or safety. Add this one to the pile of decent-ish films where a guy brushes off that special set of skills to save a loved one.
What gives this film a bit of a boost above its many brethren is a little something called character development. Is it super strong character development? No, not necessarily. But the movie takes the time to lay groundwork for the dynamics between Clean and Dianda and between Mikey and his father that results in some actual emotional heft in the last act.
That said, the characters aren't super deep. The most development is probably given to the character of Mikey and his volatile relationship with his father. In comparison, Dianda's character is a bit weak, despite a perfectly good performance from DuPont. Dianda is mainly used as a catalyst---the kind of characters who makes whichever good or bad decisions the plot requires to move players into position for maximum bloodletting.
The film does get some lift from its supporting performers, including the RZA as a pawnshop owner who has a friendship and understanding with Clean, who fixes up appliances he finds on his garbage route. Mykelti Williamson is also a warm and welcome presence as a friend and support group pal to Clean.
Again, this is a perfectly serviceable variation on the dude trying to live a normal life who ends up having to mow down a few dozen baddies.
Clean, 2021
A garbage man known only as Clean (Adrien Brody) has a shady, violent past. He has paternal feelings toward a teenage girl in his neighborhood named Dianda (Chandler DuPont), eventually leading to Clean attacking several young men who are attempting to rape Dianda. But one of the assailants is a teenage boy named Mikey (Richie Merritt) who also just happens to be the son of a violent local mob boss (Glenn Fleshler).
I'm sure it's not fair to blame Taken for what has been an absolute glut of films where gravel-voiced "everymen" reveal their violent pasts in the defense of a young woman's honor or safety. Add this one to the pile of decent-ish films where a guy brushes off that special set of skills to save a loved one.
What gives this film a bit of a boost above its many brethren is a little something called character development. Is it super strong character development? No, not necessarily. But the movie takes the time to lay groundwork for the dynamics between Clean and Dianda and between Mikey and his father that results in some actual emotional heft in the last act.
That said, the characters aren't super deep. The most development is probably given to the character of Mikey and his volatile relationship with his father. In comparison, Dianda's character is a bit weak, despite a perfectly good performance from DuPont. Dianda is mainly used as a catalyst---the kind of characters who makes whichever good or bad decisions the plot requires to move players into position for maximum bloodletting.
The film does get some lift from its supporting performers, including the RZA as a pawnshop owner who has a friendship and understanding with Clean, who fixes up appliances he finds on his garbage route. Mykelti Williamson is also a warm and welcome presence as a friend and support group pal to Clean.
Again, this is a perfectly serviceable variation on the dude trying to live a normal life who ends up having to mow down a few dozen baddies.