CLEAN

US, 2021, 94 minutes, Colour.

Adrian Brody, Glenn Fleshler, Richie Merritts, Chandler Ari DuPont, Mykelti Williamson, RZA.

Directed by Paul Solet.

1. The title, expectations? The central character’s nickname? Working as a cleaner, the focus on the rubbish, saving some for repair, disposing of the rest? The rubbish on the New York streets? The imagery of the human rubbish on the streets, the need for cleansing the streets? The criminal gangs, working with the fish, smuggling the drugs, needing for cleansing? Michael, crime boss, brutality, going to church, confession, wanting some spiritual cleansing? The final mission for Clean?
2. The New York streets, the neighbourhoods, at night, the darkness, the thugs in the street, the violence, the abandoned homes, the absence of families and children? The close-ups of the streets and the driving, the overviews of the lights at night? Atmosphere? Musical score?
3. The central character, nickname of Clean, collecting the rubbish, driving, repairing the hoover, going to the pawn shop, the encouragement of the pawn shop, his living alone, preparing the food, the contact with Dianda, her grandmother, the conversations, the food, his going to the groups, listening? His visit to the barber, the wise advice, the friendship? His observing life around him?
4. The enigma of his character, not knowing at the end and his reputation and action, his flashbacks, embrace and the little girl, the deaths?
5. The thugs in the street, his pursuit, his being bashed, the hospital, not wanting painkillers? Continuing on? Continued repairs? The encounter with Michael, the stench, taking away the rubbish, including the body, not taking payment?
6. Michael, the gangsters, the family, his subservient wife, disappointment with his son, wanting to make a man of him, the son getting out of jail, with his friends, the music, his father’s disdain? The confrontation with the Chinese, the smuggling of the drugs, not enough? The brutal murder, disposing of the body? The contrast with him being at church, listening to the gospel, later going to confession?
7. Dianda, her age, going to school, with her grandmother, the grandmother’s reaction to Cleag? Her going off, with the group, Clean finding her, the drink and the drugs, Michael’s son present, the filming, his weapon, his bashing the men, including Mikey? Mikey, the doctor, warming to his father? His father not taking him to hospital?
8. The buildup to the confrontation, Clean taking the grandmother and Dianda, seeing the corrupt policeman, Michael setting the bounty, the policeman and his pursuit, Clean and his evasion, at the diner, the women going to the toilet, his getting another truck, the thugs arriving, the confrontation?
9. Clean, going to the pawnbroker, buying the guns, the flare? In the truck, driving into the house, the shootouts, the massacre, the confrontation with Michael, Mikey coming in, bandage, the gun, shooting his father, no more bullets for Clean?
10. The aftermath? The women? Clean and his future?
11. American violence, focus, drug dealing, guns, vigilantes’ action, vigilantes’ justice, violence and brutality?