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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
The Cleaner
EMAILPRINTSERIES: A&E, Tuesday 10:00p (60 minutes)
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 23 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Drama, True Story
Created By:
Jonathan Prince
Robert Munic
First Air Date: July 15, 2008
Summary
Starring Benjamin Bratt, Amy Price-Francis, Grace Park, Kevin Michael Richardson, Esteban Powell, Brett Delbuono, Liliana Mumy, and Gil Bellows
William Banks (Benjamin Bratt) is a former drug addict out to help those addicted in this drama based in part on the life of William Boyd.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Sun-TimesMisha Davenport
Some may take issue with the cynical tone of both series [Saving grace and The Cleaner] or the fact that there is very little divine intervention in either.
Read Full Review >Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall
It's not a bad show, but the mechanics of how they're going to abduct their latest target are far less engaging than how the team interacts with each other and how each member fights his or her compulsions.
Read Full Review >Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
The Cleaner is the latest in a string of unremarkable basic cable dramas with a brand-name star playing the tough but damaged lead.
Read Full Review >New York PostLinda Stasi
This brings up the writing, which is strictly discount--and so are the plots, which don't tell us enough in the victims he saves.
Read Full Review >NewsdayVerne Gay
The thing looks stylish, has a nice cast, is well written, and Bratt--scruffy, unkempt, a little more than off-center here--has the requisite intensity for the role. But it also is jarringly slick and borderline seamy; maybe that's just part of the fast world Banks and his cohorts find themselves in, but the tone ultimately robs the show--or at least the pilot--of heart and passion.
Read Full Review >The New York TimesGinia Bellafante
You see Mr. Bratt with his goatee and expressions of martyrdom, but you hear the voice of Nancy Reagan.
Read Full Review >San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman
It's solid for what it is, despite the worrisome gimmick and sometimes obvious story.
Read Full Review >Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
The show is an extremely mixed bag, but he's an extremely likable extreme interventionist.
Read Full Review >USA TodayRobert Bianco
It's all meant to be exciting, but like everything else about The Cleaner, it comes across as almost profoundly silly.
Read Full Review >Entertainment WeeklyGillian Flynn
I'd describe it as ludicrous, but that might give the impression that it's remotely entertaining.
Read Full Review >Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron
Without more skillful dialogue and lively stories, this won't help A&E kick the reality habit.
Read Full Review >SalonHeather Havrilesky
If these dorky team-on-the-move scenes look like something out of "Charlie's Angels," the shiftless-druggie scenes in the show's premiere look like they were pulled straight from an "Afterschool Special" about the dangers of snorting heroin.
Read Full Review >Washington PostTom Shales
It's the end of the hour, and we're still waiting for the real show to begin, too.
Read Full Review >VarietyBrian Lowry
A&E bet heavily on "The Sopranos" reruns to brand the channel, but its grit and blue language notwithstanding, The Cleaner doesn't represent the kind of hour destined to build on that foundation.
Read Full Review >Orlando SentinelHal Boedeker
Despite a fine cast and a harrowing topic, The Cleaner rarely gets beyond the surfaces.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 6.1 (out of 10) based on 23 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Andy P. gave it a10:
What the press doesn't understand, and the viewers commenting here don't seem to get, is that this show is a remarkably real and honest portrayal of a man of faith struggling through life. Here's an idea for everyone going to a nice suburban church in the safe section of town where nobody can intrude on your ideal picture of life... show an episode of this the next time you have a study... and discuss. This show gets a remarkable conversation started if you're willing to listen - I think A&E is brave for putting it on the air with how raw it can be at some points - and I really appreciate that. The first season was fantastic and I can only hope that successive seasons will be just as good.
Andrew V. gave it a5:
Ambitious concept, unique idea, terrible writing and dialogue. This could be a good show, but the writers need to be fired. A procedural drama about drug addiction is intensely stupid, and borderline offensive.
Brian K. gave it a0:
This seriously has to be one the most convoluted things to come to television......at least among the shows I've watched.
W gave it a1:
This shows paints a very, very wrong picture of what helps someone to achieve recovery. Ex-cons engaging in criminal activity is NOT the way to help people who need help. Thumbs down.
Dave W gave it a2:
Veers between stupid sentimentality and grotesque heroic posturing. Waste of time.
Elin J. gave it a10:
I love the show and find Will's trying to balance work and family a really dynamic thing to watch.
lsh gave it a9:
Surprised by all the negative reviews, I happen to love this show - Bratt's performance is edgy and the show gives a realistic view of the struggles families of drug addicts go through after recovery begins - it's not pretentious nor ridiculous that Bratt's character talks to God; it's reassuring that the writers actually understand that recovering addicts believe in a higher power and need to communicate with that higher power continually to maintain. Critics may not like it, but those of us who've been affected by the abuse of drugs by loved ones appreciate this true to life account of someone who is trying to make a difference.
