Clean

Clean is a 2021 American film that takes its viewers on a vicarious ride into the darker alleys of an urban nightmare, while illuminating the journey of redemption through its protagonist's struggle for emancipation. With Adrien Brody in the lead role, the signature style of director Paul Solet becomes all the more enriching. The screenplay, written by Solet and Brody, latches on to its gritty and brooding premise, and projects a grim and grimy ambiance that seeps into the narrative.

Set against the backdrop of a nondescript city recovering from the afflictions of corruption and crime, Clean, as the title suggests, introduces us to the character played by Adrien Brody, who goes by the same name. Once an agent of violence and a part of the very corruption the city is struggling against, Clean has since separated himself from his past and lives in quiet anonymity as a garbage man. Every day, he navigates the narrow lanes of the city, collecting trash and keeping his head down.

However, every frame of the film screams out loud that there is more to Clean than that meets the eye, and that beneath the tough exterior is a man battling a painful past and the intense desire for redemption. Brody, with his poignant performance, makes the internal turmoil of Clean palpable. He incarnates the grimness of his character's past with panache while simultaneously showcasing an unwavering resolve to change the course of his life.

The movie takes an interesting turn when a tragic event forces Clean, against his will, back into the underworld he had left behind. The cautious equilibrium he had managed to maintain between his past and the present is shattered, and the reality of violence and crime queasily coexists with his struggle for salvation.

At this juncture, the narrative introduces us to a host of other characters that have their destinies intertwined with Clean. Among these, the most notable are the intimidating mob boss, played by Glenn Fleshler, and the naive yet edgy youth, portrayed by Richie Merritt. Their roles are crucial in further complicating the narrative and laying the labyrinth that Clean must navigate for his redemption.

Fleshler's character channels menace and authority, and exceptional acting performance by him successfully creates an eerie sense of dread that lingers throughout the movie. Simultaneously, Merritt depicts the helpless youth entrapped in the vicious circle of crime perfectly. The individual journeys of these characters are beautifully intertwined with Clean's path, thereby making the narrative more compelling.

Secondary characters, including a host of mobsters, police officers, and civilians, add different hues to the greyscale backdrop of the city, enriching the narrative with their versatile performances. Each persona woven into the storyline helps shape the narrative arcs of the main characters, acting as triggers for the chain of events that propel them towards their personal goals.

All throughout, the cinematography aptly promotes the tone of the film. Dark alleyways, grimy streets, and a grey cityscape enhance the feeling of urban decay, and there's a strong visual contrast created by the organic ‘cleanliness’ of the protagonist’s present against the metaphorically 'filthy' world of his past that he’s striving to wash his hands of.

Clean progresses not as a mere crime thriller, but as an emotional and psychological exploration of a man battling his inner demons. The intricacies of the narrative engross the audience, and the overall tone of the film makes a powerful commentary on violence, crime, redemption, and the hope for a cleaner future, ultimately transcending into a cinema that is imbibed with deeper meanings.

Clean leaves its audience pondering long after the screen goes dark, proving once again that sometimes the most potent stories come from the grimiest places. It won't be wrong to call it a cinematic masterpiece in the realm of crime-thrillers. This 2021 film is worth a watch for those who prefer their cinema served with a side of psychology and symbolism.