Review: A&E 'The Cleaner' with Benjamin Bratt

LeaJul 16th, 2008 - 09:58:16

Just saw the pilot for 'The Cleaner.' My initial attraction was, of course, the fact that Ben Bratt was in the lead role, and then the idea of an 'extreme interventionist' sparked my curiosity too.

Well, after watching the pilot, I'm not sure whether this show does it for me or not. Bratt's Banks seems likable enough, though his character and that of the supporting roles could use some fleshing out, as well as a bit more back story concerning their histories. We're sort of thrown into the action without preamble and with the lightspeed fast pacing and dialogue, it's extremely hard to follow what's going on. The show could also use a more measured pace and character expansion for the viewer to feel some sympathy for their situations.

That said, Banks comes across as an engaging, if conflicted, character, committed to his cause occasionally at the expense of his family. I wanted to like this show, and I'll watch a few more episodes before weighing in my final vote, but for now, I give it a tentative 3 out of 5.

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r baileyJul 16th, 2008 - 18:54:11

Improve the scripts. The program should be about the rescued persons life and all of the efforts by the cleaners team to set up the rescue. Use the 'Intervention' show as a guide. Too much weak material about the members of the team.

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Mr BobJul 17th, 2008 - 22:54:10

I agree, this has potential and Bratt has the star power to bring in the audience. But it needs an infusion of other writers with a little humor, and the ability to capture the positive part of these interesting stories as well. They could do a ton with this and I hope they do. After Bratt's dissapointing performance in 'The Great Raid' I was hoping for something that would allow him to stretch himself more.
This could do it...IF and only IF the writers write it in.

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G NeuhartApr 2nd, 2009 - 03:29:48

Benjamin Bratt is a fantastic actor and I am thrilled to hear The Cleaner will be back for 13 new shows in 09. Some of my friends have said that the shows are too 'dark', but that's the way drugs are. The writters and actors have it down to the dirty reality that it is which mosts often isn't pretty.

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