WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Ah, the ups and downs–no, perhaps the PERILS–of the heart and all it can lead us into. When we need that sense of acceptance and long for the feeling of being wanted, love is indeed a potent entity. Driving us to go to lengths sometimes beyond our own boundaries or moral compasses, the pursuit of being desired and giving that back to another is more than difficult to ignore or overcome when so blatantly obvious and poorly hidden. In 1970’s New England, mob boss Jilly (Justin Thibault) tasks his primary enforcer Nicky (Dustin Teuber) to “take care” of a present issue. Partnered with a fellow enforcer named Rose (Gabrielle Rosson), the situation quickly morphs from a simple job to a much more–complicated–circumstance.
Next, my Mind:
One could, at first anyway, argue this recent 10-minute short film effort from writer/director Kris Salvi, producer Gabrielle Rosson, and associate producer Deborah Del Negro is nothing more than a quickly-paced lesson in how crime doesn’t pay and the subsequent moral that living dangerously is simply–dangerous. Yet, you begin to strip away what’s on the surface and, for this critic, there is revealed a more dynamic myriad of thematic adventures being portrayed here, built up and explored through a foundational narrative centered on what amounts to your basic story of lawlessness, broken (even if implied) promises, and the seeking out of emotional attachment that finds itself quite out of place given the realm of employment the two primary protagonists inhabit.
Called upon to utilize a particular skill set that comes in handy when certain nefarious organizations choose to–relieve–themselves of a pesky nuisance, the tale of a mob enforcer just doing his duty turns into a deeper navigation of forbidden (or at least unwise) love between himself and another kindred spirit while on the job, finally coming to a head that may or may not lead to future bliss for either of them. Tackling their infatuation from a perspective that already screams “illicit affair!!” (NOT a superb bedrock to establish a solid pairing I would say), the film then delves into all the maze of hesitations, resistance, admissions of feelings, why it’s wrong/right arguments, and what-ifs involved with a somewhat surprising degree of intensity and purposeful punch that belies the overall simplicity of the project.
What then makes the film more effective for me is the manner in which the initial situation plays out, immediately followed by another one that carries us to the finale’s ultimate punch which reverberates for a spell afterwards as you come to realize it’s indeed been another exhibition about what it means to the mob to be non-expendable, loyal, safe, and committed while also making one take stock of what it is to likewise accept that there can always be someone else better than you waiting in the wings for the right time to make their presence known, hence showcasing that all the said factors above may NOT have the significance in “the family” that one first thought. We’ve seen this before, yet at least for me, it still maintains its resonance.
As hinted at above, this really is a very uncomplicated execution here, with the film’s 70’s-era setting and costuming nice and straightforward, the dialogue just as practical, and the grander tone and visual presentation all very apropos for the indie spirit shining within the heart and soul of the production. And that’s the thing–it’s all perfectly suited for this narrative and character-driven genre that can take such an approach yet not LOSE the entertainment value or wide-ranging quality it delivers just because it might appear “plain”. I constantly state that indie film deserves SO much more recognition for the sheer effort of those behind them MAKING a picture in the first place, as that alone is completely commendable to me. When it’s accomplished lucidly and with absolute, successful determination like here, the results are deeply satisfying.
Teuber furnishes us with an undemanding yet fully sincere and direct performance here in his role as Nicky, a New England mob enforcer whose quiet evening at the crew’s local establishment is upended upon his boss giving him an assignment to complete, with the usual no questions asked, or, at least none that are answered. Finding out he is partnered up on the job with a known associate the crew also utilizes, it soon becomes less about work and more about relationship-forming for Nicky, who finally has to fess up to sequestered feelings he has no idea whether will be requited or not. Even as events unfold, it is apparent situations may not always go as expected and watching Teuber guide the character through this growing dilemma is believable, unfeigned, and in several ways, even profound.
Rosson’s performance likewise catches us with a very similar sense of understated yet passionate fervency in her role as Rose, another New England crew enforcer who ends up being called upon to accompany Nicky on the night’s “errand”. Caught a tad off guard by what he then proceeds to advise her of once the operation is completed, she very much seems to want nothing to do with it until their conversation carries on long enough for her to begin to realize exactly how she DOES feel, which only gets her immersed even deeper in the ensuing emotional uprising within them both. But, will it or will it not actually be able to lead to long-lasting amore remains the question, and I loved how Rosson chooses to portray the character’s indecision then mutually shared passion, wonderfully displayed and enacted here by the actress.
Supporting roles first arrive via Justin Thibault as Nicky’s no-nonsense boss Jilly, who certainly strikes us as the “I know EVERYTHING that goes on in my circles” kind of guy, and who we can tell controls SO much more than what we are entreated to in the short runtime of the film, but still makes this known with excellent underlying menace. Additional turns come from Michael Lepore and Darby Lyons Jr. as other formidable “heavies” in Jilly’s crew. So, in total, “Cleaner” makes you appreciate the beauty of what short films can achieve through unadorned, fundamental storytelling that then carries with it the essence of human nature, our triumphs and missteps, and in this case, specific exercises in unwavering commitment, the possible hazards of attachment, and finding out that when it comes to secrets–there could always be SOMEONE who knows.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
