I quite liked the film. I would watch Amy Adams stare at grass and Emily Blunt is always top notch. One thing that stuck out for me about the film was that it offers a look at real working-class people doing real work, and does so in a respectful manner. Rose tries to put a positive spin on her post-mortem cleanup work to gathered yuppies in an awkward social setting and is clearly defensive. But you can see her coming to value the work for the good it does. There is nothing wrong with adventure thrillers about high crimes and misdemeanors, about the far-too-well-to-do, and about easy lives, but it is heartening to see hard-scrabble work valued, not just as a barrier to be overcome but as a thing that has intrinsic value and that does real good. Rose and Nora take on work that the yuppie ladies would never dream of tackling, and do real good for real people. This is a film that does not dazzle us with fireworks or glitter, but it has heart. We like that.
158 Reviews
A Blunt Ray of Sunshine through the Darkness
WriterDave22 March 2009
A struggling single mom named Rose (Amy Adams in her comedy/drama wheelhouse) gets tired of working for a maid service and boldly decides to branch out into crime scene clean-up with her lay-about sister Norah (Emily Blunt, ironically named) in Christine Jeffs' observant and easy-going "Sunshine Cleaning".
Although it has been marketed as one of those quirky dramedies the studios love to shove down our throats every year, Jeffs' film (from a solid screenplay from Megan Holley) is more in tune with somber yet hopeful indie character studies. The film deals with some dark subject matter and poignantly explores grief and family dysfunction but maintains a positive outlook and contains some solid situational laughs. The combination of an interesting set-up, smart writing, likable characters and winning performances make the film, even when it teeter-totters from dark to sappy, go down smooth. None of the characters seem forced upon us, unlike the overtly quirky family from "Little Miss Sunshine" or the stylized dialog spewing teens from "Juno". These characters talk and interact like real people and there's a naturalism in the way their relationships develop.
It makes for engaged viewing when a film like this doesn't feel the need to explain every detail or tie up every loose end so nicely. Some subplots involving Norah taking a personal interest in one of the clean-up jobs that leads to an awkward friendship with a blood-bank worker (Mary Lynn Rajskub of "24" fame) or a one-armed supply store guy (Clifton Collins Jr.) who takes a shine to Rose aren't resolved in a typical fashion, and some things are never made known or left open-ended. It makes the film feel truer to life. Even when Rose's precocious kid (Jason Spevack) tries to talk to heaven on a CB radio in what would normally be considered a contrived and cutesy moment, you feel like you've grown to know the character and it's just something he would do. Likewise, Alan Arkin as the sisters' scheming entrepreneurial father behaves and acts like a real guy who's had to struggle raising two girls alone and is just trying to help them catch a break.
Amy Adams, of course, is an absolute delight. Something about her girl-next-door good looks combined with her innate talents as a comedienne and her theatrical background that produces some of the best facial expressions and crying-on-cue you'll ever see make her the perfect choice for this type of role. While it's easy to sing the praises of Adams, and she's never been more endearing or relatable than here, Emily Blunt proves to be an excellent foil. It's Blunt's sharp portrayal and her character's story arc that provide the film its emotional weight. Both actresses deserve to be remembered come awards season, and "Sunshine Cleaning" is that rare spring-time bird: a film worthy of buzz.
Although it has been marketed as one of those quirky dramedies the studios love to shove down our throats every year, Jeffs' film (from a solid screenplay from Megan Holley) is more in tune with somber yet hopeful indie character studies. The film deals with some dark subject matter and poignantly explores grief and family dysfunction but maintains a positive outlook and contains some solid situational laughs. The combination of an interesting set-up, smart writing, likable characters and winning performances make the film, even when it teeter-totters from dark to sappy, go down smooth. None of the characters seem forced upon us, unlike the overtly quirky family from "Little Miss Sunshine" or the stylized dialog spewing teens from "Juno". These characters talk and interact like real people and there's a naturalism in the way their relationships develop.
It makes for engaged viewing when a film like this doesn't feel the need to explain every detail or tie up every loose end so nicely. Some subplots involving Norah taking a personal interest in one of the clean-up jobs that leads to an awkward friendship with a blood-bank worker (Mary Lynn Rajskub of "24" fame) or a one-armed supply store guy (Clifton Collins Jr.) who takes a shine to Rose aren't resolved in a typical fashion, and some things are never made known or left open-ended. It makes the film feel truer to life. Even when Rose's precocious kid (Jason Spevack) tries to talk to heaven on a CB radio in what would normally be considered a contrived and cutesy moment, you feel like you've grown to know the character and it's just something he would do. Likewise, Alan Arkin as the sisters' scheming entrepreneurial father behaves and acts like a real guy who's had to struggle raising two girls alone and is just trying to help them catch a break.
Amy Adams, of course, is an absolute delight. Something about her girl-next-door good looks combined with her innate talents as a comedienne and her theatrical background that produces some of the best facial expressions and crying-on-cue you'll ever see make her the perfect choice for this type of role. While it's easy to sing the praises of Adams, and she's never been more endearing or relatable than here, Emily Blunt proves to be an excellent foil. It's Blunt's sharp portrayal and her character's story arc that provide the film its emotional weight. Both actresses deserve to be remembered come awards season, and "Sunshine Cleaning" is that rare spring-time bird: a film worthy of buzz.
Adams and Blunt are remarkable
Simon_Says_Movies27 July 2009
Of late, independent films seem to fall into three ruts; the quirky indie film, the contrived indie film and the quirkily contrived indie film. Thankfully, for the most part, Sunshine Cleaning manages to avoid these associated pitfalls, and is instead a benchmark for how two sensational performances can succeed in drastically improving the quality of a film.
These aforementioned indie clichés are quite the conundrum when looked at thoughtfully. The birth of independent film-making stemmed from creativity and desire to be liberated from the shadow of the major movie conglomerates. Yet now, most of these offbeat flicks are as cold and calculated as any big budget summer movie and often drown in wacky plots and bizarre characters which are not of what free film should be an expression.
Starring the consistently stellar and always delightful leading ladies of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, Sunshine Cleaning tells the bittersweet story of two sisters (Adams and Blunt) and their struggles to purge the horror of their mother's suicide and live normal lives. Adams as Rose and Blunt as Norah are polar opposites; Rose was the head cheerleader in high school and aches to regain that notoriety in her adult life and Norah the 'screw-up', the black sheep of the family. They are held together loosely by Rose's son Oscar and their father (Alan Arkin) that is until they find themselves in need of work. Through a less than professional police connection of Rose's (Steve Zahn) they come to start a crime scene cleanup service called Sunshine Cleaning and while they sought money, they ended up finding something more profound.
Adams and Blunt truly are remarkable and give bonafide Oscar worthy performances. Their characters never fall to any deprecating indie quirks, and are fully realized individuals. Zahn is solid in a smaller role, as is Clifton Collins Jr. as a clean-up store owner and all lend to a story that did not by any means conclude where I was suspecting. Many of the subplots are left open, but not in a unsatisfying way and while featuring ups and downs along the way, Sunshine Cleaning manages to find a hopeful tone without being sticky sweet. Perhaps by favourite aspect outside of the performances was Adam's character. We have seen in many films the former cheerleader who has grown up under the shadow of the 'losers' of their school, but never have I seen such an honest look from the view of the former. Perhaps this is a testament to Adams acting skills, but I was impressed nevertheless.
Sunshine Cleaning keeps you involved based on characters alone. There is certainly humour, tragedy and emotion to drive the story but all is born from the relationship between this broken family. I wish fresh faced director Christine Jeffs had forgone all the trends of the recent independent film movement, but there is still more then enough to admire about Sunshine Cleaning, and even more to love.
These aforementioned indie clichés are quite the conundrum when looked at thoughtfully. The birth of independent film-making stemmed from creativity and desire to be liberated from the shadow of the major movie conglomerates. Yet now, most of these offbeat flicks are as cold and calculated as any big budget summer movie and often drown in wacky plots and bizarre characters which are not of what free film should be an expression.
Starring the consistently stellar and always delightful leading ladies of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, Sunshine Cleaning tells the bittersweet story of two sisters (Adams and Blunt) and their struggles to purge the horror of their mother's suicide and live normal lives. Adams as Rose and Blunt as Norah are polar opposites; Rose was the head cheerleader in high school and aches to regain that notoriety in her adult life and Norah the 'screw-up', the black sheep of the family. They are held together loosely by Rose's son Oscar and their father (Alan Arkin) that is until they find themselves in need of work. Through a less than professional police connection of Rose's (Steve Zahn) they come to start a crime scene cleanup service called Sunshine Cleaning and while they sought money, they ended up finding something more profound.
Adams and Blunt truly are remarkable and give bonafide Oscar worthy performances. Their characters never fall to any deprecating indie quirks, and are fully realized individuals. Zahn is solid in a smaller role, as is Clifton Collins Jr. as a clean-up store owner and all lend to a story that did not by any means conclude where I was suspecting. Many of the subplots are left open, but not in a unsatisfying way and while featuring ups and downs along the way, Sunshine Cleaning manages to find a hopeful tone without being sticky sweet. Perhaps by favourite aspect outside of the performances was Adam's character. We have seen in many films the former cheerleader who has grown up under the shadow of the 'losers' of their school, but never have I seen such an honest look from the view of the former. Perhaps this is a testament to Adams acting skills, but I was impressed nevertheless.
Sunshine Cleaning keeps you involved based on characters alone. There is certainly humour, tragedy and emotion to drive the story but all is born from the relationship between this broken family. I wish fresh faced director Christine Jeffs had forgone all the trends of the recent independent film movement, but there is still more then enough to admire about Sunshine Cleaning, and even more to love.
Underdog
kosmasp6 August 2009
I watched this movie in a sneak Preview, so I had no idea, what I had to expect from this. The title is not giving away too much, which I will respect, so if you want to read something about the story, read the summary here on this site.
The acting in this is really great, but some might have a problem with the pace of the movie. It moves along slowly and it's not "in your face" funny, but more a subtle kind of humor (most of the times). It's actually more a drama than a comedy. And Alan Arkin is exceptional as ever, even if he's not the main role here. With a few up and downs, this nice little film has a winning charm, that is worth a view.
The acting in this is really great, but some might have a problem with the pace of the movie. It moves along slowly and it's not "in your face" funny, but more a subtle kind of humor (most of the times). It's actually more a drama than a comedy. And Alan Arkin is exceptional as ever, even if he's not the main role here. With a few up and downs, this nice little film has a winning charm, that is worth a view.
Really good acting--just not all that great a script.
planktonrules28 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
"Sunshine Cleaning" is not a bad film at all. However, it really is not a particularly pleasant or engaging one either. As a result, it's a film worth seeing but not at all one you should go out of your way to watch.
Sunshine Cleaning is the name of a company started by two sisters. It does a much needed but very disgusting service—cleaning up after deaths. In other words, once the ambulance or police removed the corpse, the women would clean up all the bodily fluids and smells. The story centers on a highly dysfunctional family that looks almost as if they could be featured on "The Jerry Springer Show" if their self-imposed problems continue to steamroll. The grandfather (Alan Arkin) is doing his best to help raise a dysfunctional young grandson. His aunt is just an irresponsible flake. And the mother (Amy Adams) is like a poster child for a screwed up mother. Her child was fathered by a married man—and he and Adams have been having an affair for many years while he still is married. You certainly can't respect these folks and at times you wonder why you should care about them or their problems. Now they make some efforts to change but by the end of the film they still are a mess and still difficult to love. And this is the biggest obstacle I had in watching the film. The characters failed in any attempt to get us to care. This is sad since the acting was quite good—very, very good at times.
By the way, I didn't know it until after I finished the movie, but this is the same Emily Blunt in this film that starred in "The Young Victoria"--what an amazingly different sort of character and acting experience--I never would have suspected they were the same actress!
Sunshine Cleaning is the name of a company started by two sisters. It does a much needed but very disgusting service—cleaning up after deaths. In other words, once the ambulance or police removed the corpse, the women would clean up all the bodily fluids and smells. The story centers on a highly dysfunctional family that looks almost as if they could be featured on "The Jerry Springer Show" if their self-imposed problems continue to steamroll. The grandfather (Alan Arkin) is doing his best to help raise a dysfunctional young grandson. His aunt is just an irresponsible flake. And the mother (Amy Adams) is like a poster child for a screwed up mother. Her child was fathered by a married man—and he and Adams have been having an affair for many years while he still is married. You certainly can't respect these folks and at times you wonder why you should care about them or their problems. Now they make some efforts to change but by the end of the film they still are a mess and still difficult to love. And this is the biggest obstacle I had in watching the film. The characters failed in any attempt to get us to care. This is sad since the acting was quite good—very, very good at times.
By the way, I didn't know it until after I finished the movie, but this is the same Emily Blunt in this film that starred in "The Young Victoria"--what an amazingly different sort of character and acting experience--I never would have suspected they were the same actress!
Sunshine and clouds
C-Younkin1 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Sunshine Cleaning" is an odd mix of gross-out comedy and melodramatic family drama, possibly why it's being compared to its producer's first film "Little Miss Sunshine." The other reason might be that Alan Arkin is in it. But if the goal was to capture all of the sweet gooey fun of "Little Miss", then "Cleaning" comes up a couple inches short. This flick from director Christine Jeffs and screenwriter Megan Holley is less about being cute or sweet and more about how a person's death can shape our lives. It can be very funny at times and also a downer at times but what keeps things fairly level are the two fantastic performances coming from Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.
They play sisters Rose (Adams) and Norah (Blunt). Rose was once a high school cheerleader dating the star quarterback, but now wonders what happened to her life. A single mother forced to work as a maid to support herself and her young son (Jason Spevack), Rose clings to what's left of the good in her life by being the mistress to the former HS Quarterback (Steve Zahn) and hoping that one day she has enough money to get her real estate license. Norah is the younger sister, still living at home with dad (Alan Arkin) and too irresponsible to even hold on to a waitressing job. Desperately in need of money, the two hear about the gross yet apparently lucrative business of biohazard clean up and before you know it they're the Martha Stewarts of murder/suicide aftermath.
It's a funny premise and you can just imagine the morbid and disgusting fun the movie can have with blood, body excretions, horrible smells and other sloppy situations one might encounter with dead-body mess. A scene where Rose and Norah are carrying a mattress is gross-out humor at its funniest. Holley likes these things but doesn't revel in them. She wants to add some heart as well and succeeds in being both honest and introspective as the job encourages both girls to think about how the death of their own mother has shaped them into the women they've become. Unfortunately the laughs stop in the second half and the family stuff is pushed to the point of being a drawn-out downer.
Another thing I thought the movie could have done better was the subplot of the girls bringing some comfort to the remaining family of the deceased. Rose sits with a woman whose husband just committed suicide and Norah befriends one's aloof daughter (Mary Lyn Rajskub) and tries to connect with her because of her own mommy issues. Just I wished the movie spent more time inserting the girls into the lives of these people and fleshing them out to a point where they're not just tools for sympathy. A supply clerk (Clifton Collins Jr.) is also tossed into the script as a possible love interest for later but nothing ever happens with him either.
The melding of gross comedy and heartfelt family drama doesn't really work but what holds this movie together are what I believe to be the two best female performances i've seen all year so far. Adams is very sympathetic and resourceful as a woman trying to achieve respect again whereas Blunt plays the wayward younger sister role as both irresponsibly endearing (her going on about the story of lobster man and how being a bastard is badass makes her a fantastic aunt) and painfully vulnerable. The two of them together counteract each other and make a funny, heartfelt pairing. The rest of the cast includes Alan Arkin, whose quirky but doesn't really get that much funny material, Clifton Collins, who shows considerable charm and charisma despite playing a one-armed supply store clerk, and Jason Spevack, whose cute but not in that annoying little kid way.
"Sunshine Cleaning" works on the backs of its two stars though. Overall it doesn't feel as much of a complete work as say "Little Miss Sunshine", not that I'm trying to compare the two or saying that "Cleaning" is a bad flick, because it's not. I'd say its one of the better movies I've seen this year, but it could have benefited from a tighter script.
They play sisters Rose (Adams) and Norah (Blunt). Rose was once a high school cheerleader dating the star quarterback, but now wonders what happened to her life. A single mother forced to work as a maid to support herself and her young son (Jason Spevack), Rose clings to what's left of the good in her life by being the mistress to the former HS Quarterback (Steve Zahn) and hoping that one day she has enough money to get her real estate license. Norah is the younger sister, still living at home with dad (Alan Arkin) and too irresponsible to even hold on to a waitressing job. Desperately in need of money, the two hear about the gross yet apparently lucrative business of biohazard clean up and before you know it they're the Martha Stewarts of murder/suicide aftermath.
It's a funny premise and you can just imagine the morbid and disgusting fun the movie can have with blood, body excretions, horrible smells and other sloppy situations one might encounter with dead-body mess. A scene where Rose and Norah are carrying a mattress is gross-out humor at its funniest. Holley likes these things but doesn't revel in them. She wants to add some heart as well and succeeds in being both honest and introspective as the job encourages both girls to think about how the death of their own mother has shaped them into the women they've become. Unfortunately the laughs stop in the second half and the family stuff is pushed to the point of being a drawn-out downer.
Another thing I thought the movie could have done better was the subplot of the girls bringing some comfort to the remaining family of the deceased. Rose sits with a woman whose husband just committed suicide and Norah befriends one's aloof daughter (Mary Lyn Rajskub) and tries to connect with her because of her own mommy issues. Just I wished the movie spent more time inserting the girls into the lives of these people and fleshing them out to a point where they're not just tools for sympathy. A supply clerk (Clifton Collins Jr.) is also tossed into the script as a possible love interest for later but nothing ever happens with him either.
The melding of gross comedy and heartfelt family drama doesn't really work but what holds this movie together are what I believe to be the two best female performances i've seen all year so far. Adams is very sympathetic and resourceful as a woman trying to achieve respect again whereas Blunt plays the wayward younger sister role as both irresponsibly endearing (her going on about the story of lobster man and how being a bastard is badass makes her a fantastic aunt) and painfully vulnerable. The two of them together counteract each other and make a funny, heartfelt pairing. The rest of the cast includes Alan Arkin, whose quirky but doesn't really get that much funny material, Clifton Collins, who shows considerable charm and charisma despite playing a one-armed supply store clerk, and Jason Spevack, whose cute but not in that annoying little kid way.
"Sunshine Cleaning" works on the backs of its two stars though. Overall it doesn't feel as much of a complete work as say "Little Miss Sunshine", not that I'm trying to compare the two or saying that "Cleaning" is a bad flick, because it's not. I'd say its one of the better movies I've seen this year, but it could have benefited from a tighter script.
Doesn't break any ground but profoundly entertaining
eshwarmail6 January 2017
Reviewed August 2010
Though you know how the story is going to turn out, it was made captivating by fantastic performances by ever too reliable Amy Adams and fast shining Emily Blunt.
I have seen references to Little Miss Sunshine by some of the critics, what's the relation? Checked the writer and director's past movies doesn't include it. I wonder at this this because I thought it felt like Little Miss Sunshine at some level before reading the references. It's a story of a positive minded slightly dysfunctional family who are going through some tough times for bad choices made in the past. The screenplay and conclusion are conventional and made to the writer's comfort. Emily Blunt has a terrific voice diction, hope to see her in some good animated character.
The character Oscar is charming and Grampa is the same as in Little Miss Sunshine. Though this movie does not break any ground, I couldn't find anything that I did not like in it.
Though you know how the story is going to turn out, it was made captivating by fantastic performances by ever too reliable Amy Adams and fast shining Emily Blunt.
I have seen references to Little Miss Sunshine by some of the critics, what's the relation? Checked the writer and director's past movies doesn't include it. I wonder at this this because I thought it felt like Little Miss Sunshine at some level before reading the references. It's a story of a positive minded slightly dysfunctional family who are going through some tough times for bad choices made in the past. The screenplay and conclusion are conventional and made to the writer's comfort. Emily Blunt has a terrific voice diction, hope to see her in some good animated character.
The character Oscar is charming and Grampa is the same as in Little Miss Sunshine. Though this movie does not break any ground, I couldn't find anything that I did not like in it.
Well crafted family story
ceeingred1329 February 2012
I find that when people ask me what this movie is about I have a hard time successfully telling them. Read the synopsis by all means, but like most summaries it barely scratches the surface. It's a story about a mother who leaves her family in the most permanent way imaginable. It's about a father struggling to maintain his unflappable optimism, a sister whose self-esteem leads her into self-sabotaging habits, another who is in complete emotional freefall, a son who is becoming aware of his family's dynamic and how it compares to the rest of the world's and how they manage to regain their footing by pursuing a very unusual profession. At its heart it is always about family. At their best Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are some of the most talented actresses working today and I was happy to see them both in a script worthy of their skills. Both are gifted at line delivery, but some of their most powerful scenes are nonverbal. The dynamic between all the characters is thoroughly real and enjoyable. I found myself very satisfied by all their resolutions. It was an excellent story to watch unfold.
Well Done
pc9524 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
After seeing quite a few espionage-type duds lately, this movie is a fresh surprise. It's quirky, introspective, observant, and features a knock-out cast. Everyone involved here pulls their weight, and it's a wholly satisfactory result. The comedy is well placed while the drama mixed in with the Adams character touching and identifiable. Rose Lorkowski is interesting and pathetic simultaneously. The world has beaten her down, and she seems to be straining under the weight of taking care of her whole family. I enjoyed the sister's relationship best of all including especially the first several cleaning episodes. The memories and mourning of their mother became a little heavy-handed a times, but it didn't get too much in the way to pull down it's good rating. Definitely worth a rental.
"Sunshine Cleaning" Shines
jon.h.ochiai5 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
In confronting her big sister Rose (Amy Adams), emotionally bare Norah (Emily Blunt) declares, "I don't need you to take care of me anymore. It's not your job
It never was." Director Christine Jeffs's "Sunshine Cleaning" is very unexpected, in the best way. It is funny and wonderfully quirky. The surprise is its poignancy and brilliant resolve. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are amazing, and have a stark chemistry. Their relationship is unquestioned love, and explosive conflict. Meg Holly's screenplay set in Albuquerque, New Mexico follows the unlikely story of Rose and Norah as they pursue their business in the biohazard removal/ crime scene cleaning service. Now that is novel. But "Sunshine Cleaning" is really about touchingly completing Rose and Norah's relationship with their dead mother. Adams balances vulnerability and brave resilience. Blunt is brilliant bravado masking profound suffering. Jeffs and Holly demonstrate a natural compassion and power throughout "Sunshine Cleaning".
Rose is the dedicated single mom raising Oscar (natural Jason Spevack). Oscar is having problems in school, displaying anti-social behavior such as licking his teacher's leg. Oscar requires special schooling, something Rose can't afford with her current cleaning service job. This is a far cry from her glorious cheerleader days. Oh yes, she is having an affair with the former quarterback Mac (jerky good Steve Zahn), who has no intentions of leaving his wife. Rose's life is broken. At one point she breaks down telling Winston (Clifton Collins Jr.), "I was good at getting guys to want me " But she can't get them to love her.
Younger sister Norah is the smart ass brazen slacker, who can't hold a job. Norah lives with their Dad Joe (wonderful Alan Arkin). Widower Joe, instead of having a real job, always has some sort of business scheme brewing whether it is selling candy pop corn or moving shrimp in bulk. Arkin restrains Joe's idiosyncrasies enough to provoke our compassion. As it turns out his grandson Oscar is really bright, just a victim of the family weirdness, which is not fatal. Spevack has the right charm to carry this off.
At the urging of Mac (Zahn) and using some of his police detective pull, Rose falls into the biohazard removal and crime scene cleaning niche business. Of course she enrolls Norah into the business as well, after all what else is Norah going to do. Rose forms a close bond with Cleaning Supply Owner Winston (compassionate Clifton Collins), but she is too blind to see that he is a decent man, unlike Mac.
The captivating narrative thread involves Norah's obsession to watch their mother's TV movie appearance, where she plays a waitress. Both Rose and Norah deal with the tragedy of their mother differently. And it is not coincidence that their job deals with death and cleaning up all aspects of the aftermath, the physical and the human. It's hysterical as Norah falls into a bloodied mattress. It is touchingly solemn as Rose sits with the elder widow, whose husband killed himself. Jeffs reminds us of our humanity throughout. There is a mesmerizing scene as both Rose and Norah watch TV.
"Sunshine Cleaning" is wonderfully quirky, at times morbid with a twisted sense of humor. "Sunshine Cleaning" also reminds us that sometimes the people we least expect will step up and be great. Adams and Blunt are awesome. Take a chance on "Sunshine Cleaning".
Rose is the dedicated single mom raising Oscar (natural Jason Spevack). Oscar is having problems in school, displaying anti-social behavior such as licking his teacher's leg. Oscar requires special schooling, something Rose can't afford with her current cleaning service job. This is a far cry from her glorious cheerleader days. Oh yes, she is having an affair with the former quarterback Mac (jerky good Steve Zahn), who has no intentions of leaving his wife. Rose's life is broken. At one point she breaks down telling Winston (Clifton Collins Jr.), "I was good at getting guys to want me " But she can't get them to love her.
Younger sister Norah is the smart ass brazen slacker, who can't hold a job. Norah lives with their Dad Joe (wonderful Alan Arkin). Widower Joe, instead of having a real job, always has some sort of business scheme brewing whether it is selling candy pop corn or moving shrimp in bulk. Arkin restrains Joe's idiosyncrasies enough to provoke our compassion. As it turns out his grandson Oscar is really bright, just a victim of the family weirdness, which is not fatal. Spevack has the right charm to carry this off.
At the urging of Mac (Zahn) and using some of his police detective pull, Rose falls into the biohazard removal and crime scene cleaning niche business. Of course she enrolls Norah into the business as well, after all what else is Norah going to do. Rose forms a close bond with Cleaning Supply Owner Winston (compassionate Clifton Collins), but she is too blind to see that he is a decent man, unlike Mac.
The captivating narrative thread involves Norah's obsession to watch their mother's TV movie appearance, where she plays a waitress. Both Rose and Norah deal with the tragedy of their mother differently. And it is not coincidence that their job deals with death and cleaning up all aspects of the aftermath, the physical and the human. It's hysterical as Norah falls into a bloodied mattress. It is touchingly solemn as Rose sits with the elder widow, whose husband killed himself. Jeffs reminds us of our humanity throughout. There is a mesmerizing scene as both Rose and Norah watch TV.
"Sunshine Cleaning" is wonderfully quirky, at times morbid with a twisted sense of humor. "Sunshine Cleaning" also reminds us that sometimes the people we least expect will step up and be great. Adams and Blunt are awesome. Take a chance on "Sunshine Cleaning".
A Light Family Drama Touches Down
tabuno20 January 2019
13 April 2009. Take Amy Adams ("Enchanted" 2007), Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada" 2006), Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine" 2006), and even Mary Lynn Rajskub ("24" television series 2003-2009) and the comedian actor Steve Zahn in a serious role and you have a rather interesting family drama that was billed more as a comedy. "Sunshine Cleaners" doesn't have the sparkle and delightful humor as "Little Miss Sunshine," instead this film captures more of a brief moment in time where by two sisters learn more about themselves and their relationship with each other. There aren't so much as explanations as experiences from which to learn from and nothing really turns out the way one might expect in this more realistic this-is-life perspective. The pacing of this movie is somewhat ragged and slow, particularly the first half of the movie. This movie provides no great insight, has a mild but solid twist at the end, and provides the audience with two decent human interest stories that reveal human development and human improvement over time. It's a positive if not stunning message about being human. Seven out of Ten Stars.
If you're sick of Hollywood, but still don't want to think to hard, here's your movie.
ellieforpeace12 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is a study in mediocrity. This is what American indie has become. I am not very fond with the American indie movie scene at the moment. It has become about folksiness, and "this is your life" situations. What it hasn't realized is that Hallmark movies have been doing this since forever, and it has never been very good. So indie movies think they can quirk it up a little and put the indie label on it, and it'll fly. And for the most part it does.
That is Sunshine Cleaning. A single mother (Amy Adams) raising her son (Jason Spevack) in Albuquerque turns to cleaning up crime scenes with her screw-up of a sister (Emily Blunt). And they have a dad who's always up for get rich quick schemes (Alan Arkin). Doesn't it sound like every movie ever?
And it basically is. I must admit, there is not much exceedingly good in the movie. The highlight is Clifton Collins Jr.'s acting. He makes a one-armed, mustachioed industrial cleaning vendor very likable, and the parts involving him and Amy Adams are wonderful. Because Adams is also acting wonderfully, as always, in her best role as the always happy heroine..
It's the small things in this movie that frustrate. Like how the kid works as the balance in the movie. When it gets to heavy, he says, "I want a sandwich." When it gets too light, he asks, "What happens when we die." And we're supposed to go, "Oh, kids say the darndest things," but it's hard to excuse. Or the half-hearted attempts at actual jokes. Or how the screw-up sister screws up. Or how all the people are exactly like you think they are, just typecasts. How the movie leaves loose plot strings all over the place.
Little Miss Sunshine got it right. It explored the darkness and the levity. It was happy. It too had a quirky family going on a roadtrip. It started in Albaquerque. It was indie. It had all the same elements, and yet, worked. It worked because it was on the move. Because it knew it was a comedy with dramatic elements. Because it had a focus and solid characters. Characters that worked on their own, that weren't symbols, but their own entities. That's what Little Miss Sunshine had, and what Sunshine Cleaning lacks.
But it's made capably enough. It's not terrible. Many people like it. And if you want to relate to typical suffering in the world, but not feel too bad, it's probably a good one for you. It's a movie that won't challenge you in any way, and it's a departure from mainstream cinema. So whatever. Sunshine Cleaning is a bust.
That is Sunshine Cleaning. A single mother (Amy Adams) raising her son (Jason Spevack) in Albuquerque turns to cleaning up crime scenes with her screw-up of a sister (Emily Blunt). And they have a dad who's always up for get rich quick schemes (Alan Arkin). Doesn't it sound like every movie ever?
And it basically is. I must admit, there is not much exceedingly good in the movie. The highlight is Clifton Collins Jr.'s acting. He makes a one-armed, mustachioed industrial cleaning vendor very likable, and the parts involving him and Amy Adams are wonderful. Because Adams is also acting wonderfully, as always, in her best role as the always happy heroine..
It's the small things in this movie that frustrate. Like how the kid works as the balance in the movie. When it gets to heavy, he says, "I want a sandwich." When it gets too light, he asks, "What happens when we die." And we're supposed to go, "Oh, kids say the darndest things," but it's hard to excuse. Or the half-hearted attempts at actual jokes. Or how the screw-up sister screws up. Or how all the people are exactly like you think they are, just typecasts. How the movie leaves loose plot strings all over the place.
Little Miss Sunshine got it right. It explored the darkness and the levity. It was happy. It too had a quirky family going on a roadtrip. It started in Albaquerque. It was indie. It had all the same elements, and yet, worked. It worked because it was on the move. Because it knew it was a comedy with dramatic elements. Because it had a focus and solid characters. Characters that worked on their own, that weren't symbols, but their own entities. That's what Little Miss Sunshine had, and what Sunshine Cleaning lacks.
But it's made capably enough. It's not terrible. Many people like it. And if you want to relate to typical suffering in the world, but not feel too bad, it's probably a good one for you. It's a movie that won't challenge you in any way, and it's a departure from mainstream cinema. So whatever. Sunshine Cleaning is a bust.
Engaging
ajs-1023 October 2010
The title of this movie gives very little away. We know it's about a cleaning company, but that's about it. Well, the company specialises in crime scene clean-ups. That's all the mess that's left after the body has been removed and the police have finished their investigation. This engaging independent film tells how two sisters in New Mexico got into the business and what happened as a consequence.
The sisters in question are Rose and Norah Lorkowski. Rose has a son, Oscar and Norah still lives with their father, Joe. Oscar gets expelled from school and Rose has to make more money to get him into another one. She is having an affair with a cop, Mac, who suggests she goes into the lucrative crime scene clean-up business. Having looked into it she ropes Norah in and they start cleaning up after all kinds of deaths, quite badly at first. Then they meet Winston who runs a store that sells cleaning supplies. He takes pity on them and helps them with paperwork and the like. During this tale we learn a lot about the girls and their lives and some of the reasons they turned out the way they did.
This is a pretty well made film which has quite a slow pace. It does tend to wander off on a tangent now and then, but I didn't find that too distracting. Excellent performances all round, particularly from Amy Adams as Rose, Emily Blunt as Norah and Alan Arkin as Joe. Honourable mentions should also go to; Jason Spevack as Oscar, Steve Zahn as Mac and Clifton Collins Jr. as Winston.
Over all I found the gentle pace of this film quite refreshing. It allows the audience to absorb what's going on rather than have it thrust at you like some crazy 3D piranha. The film is very much about feelings, sorry, no blood and guts here, unless it's already on a wall, of course. I guess it will be enjoyed more but female viewers, but still, as a male in touch with his feminine side (she made me say that), recommended.
My score: 7.1/10
The sisters in question are Rose and Norah Lorkowski. Rose has a son, Oscar and Norah still lives with their father, Joe. Oscar gets expelled from school and Rose has to make more money to get him into another one. She is having an affair with a cop, Mac, who suggests she goes into the lucrative crime scene clean-up business. Having looked into it she ropes Norah in and they start cleaning up after all kinds of deaths, quite badly at first. Then they meet Winston who runs a store that sells cleaning supplies. He takes pity on them and helps them with paperwork and the like. During this tale we learn a lot about the girls and their lives and some of the reasons they turned out the way they did.
This is a pretty well made film which has quite a slow pace. It does tend to wander off on a tangent now and then, but I didn't find that too distracting. Excellent performances all round, particularly from Amy Adams as Rose, Emily Blunt as Norah and Alan Arkin as Joe. Honourable mentions should also go to; Jason Spevack as Oscar, Steve Zahn as Mac and Clifton Collins Jr. as Winston.
Over all I found the gentle pace of this film quite refreshing. It allows the audience to absorb what's going on rather than have it thrust at you like some crazy 3D piranha. The film is very much about feelings, sorry, no blood and guts here, unless it's already on a wall, of course. I guess it will be enjoyed more but female viewers, but still, as a male in touch with his feminine side (she made me say that), recommended.
My score: 7.1/10
Amy Adams shines
chapsmack22 July 2009
After my recent débâcle with H.P. and the H.B.P., I needed to get my mind out of a rut to continue watching films. Sunshine Cleaning doesn't disappoint - not one bit. Amy Adams is absolutely wonderful in the film, and I wouldn't be surprised if she got a nomination for portraying Rose. The casting was I believe the key for this film and it was bang on. Kind of reminds you of Little Miss Sunshine - from what I have read the team was involved - with the van also being a central figure apart from the characters. Although the storyline looks as if it would be a black comedy with the opening sequence, the movie settles down to a more modern setting dealing with the social realities of a single mom and her family. Watch it for Amy Adams. 7/10.
Sunshine Cleaning Review
felipepm1711 November 2019
The movie is fun, nothing spectacular, but it's funny at times. Perhaps a little more connection between the plots and a less vague ending would make everything better. The performances are good, especially Emily Blunt's as the troubled sister.
"From the Same People Who Brought You 'Little Miss Sunshine'!" PROMO Really Didn't Set Well With Me!
Tony-Kiss-Castillo23 December 2023
From Pasto, Colombia-Via: L. A. CA, CALI COLOMBIA&ORLANDO, FL
GREAT TITLE! ...BUT BEFORE DIVING RIGHT IN.... FIRST LET´S FOCUS ON THE TITLE´S CONTENT AND CONTEXT:
Cinema that provokes a strong reaction from me, for good or for bad, is easier to review. "Movies in the Middle", like "SUNSHINE", always present much more of a challenge. "From the same people who brought you 'Little Miss Sunshine'..." This phrase was used a lot in the SUNSHINE PROMOs. Maybe it got in the way of me getting more out of the film. It didn't set very well with me that...
A) Both titles employ the word "SUNSHINE".
B) Alan Arkin basically does a warmed over version of his role in "LITTLE MISS"
C) Both films are about dysfunctional families with a precocious KId.
Taken as a whole, it just seemed too obvious that "The same people who brought you..." wanted desperately to cash in, AGAIN, and SUNSHINE(2???) is just a vehicle for doing so!
Still, it does have ingratiating qualities. If you can tolerate the slow as molasses initial 30 minutes...(OK-Wait, make that as DELIBERATE as Molasses!), you'll probably feel it was worth your while, a pretty good little indie film, which could easily have been a lot better.
Catharsis, healing, coping, forgiveness and moving on, are some of the operative buzz-words for "Sunshine Cleaning". Perhaps just a tad too dreary for such a cheery title? "Sunshine" would have benefited from the injection of just a little more comic relief in the mix. The acting fell a little short of expectation. With Amy Adams (Junebug/Doubt) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) perhaps my expectations were too high! Something was missing. The script was spotty and rather lackluster at times.
The on-screen chemistry was variable. Often, Alan Arkin's presence seemed to be a hindrance to the flow and balance of the scene and the story. SUNSHINE did have a very down-to-earth, realistic feel to it. The problems, reactions to them, and solutions encountered, or not, as the case may be, were believable and mundane; stuff that we all can relate too. Immediately after viewing, I had settled on a 6 Star rating, thinking "Sunshine" was going to be sans ricocheting...But, there has been some of that going on in that 'ID' of mine, hours after viewing. So, we'll up it 7 Stars!
..... ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA!
Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome!
GREAT TITLE! ...BUT BEFORE DIVING RIGHT IN.... FIRST LET´S FOCUS ON THE TITLE´S CONTENT AND CONTEXT:
Cinema that provokes a strong reaction from me, for good or for bad, is easier to review. "Movies in the Middle", like "SUNSHINE", always present much more of a challenge. "From the same people who brought you 'Little Miss Sunshine'..." This phrase was used a lot in the SUNSHINE PROMOs. Maybe it got in the way of me getting more out of the film. It didn't set very well with me that...
A) Both titles employ the word "SUNSHINE".
B) Alan Arkin basically does a warmed over version of his role in "LITTLE MISS"
C) Both films are about dysfunctional families with a precocious KId.
Taken as a whole, it just seemed too obvious that "The same people who brought you..." wanted desperately to cash in, AGAIN, and SUNSHINE(2???) is just a vehicle for doing so!
Still, it does have ingratiating qualities. If you can tolerate the slow as molasses initial 30 minutes...(OK-Wait, make that as DELIBERATE as Molasses!), you'll probably feel it was worth your while, a pretty good little indie film, which could easily have been a lot better.
Catharsis, healing, coping, forgiveness and moving on, are some of the operative buzz-words for "Sunshine Cleaning". Perhaps just a tad too dreary for such a cheery title? "Sunshine" would have benefited from the injection of just a little more comic relief in the mix. The acting fell a little short of expectation. With Amy Adams (Junebug/Doubt) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) perhaps my expectations were too high! Something was missing. The script was spotty and rather lackluster at times.
The on-screen chemistry was variable. Often, Alan Arkin's presence seemed to be a hindrance to the flow and balance of the scene and the story. SUNSHINE did have a very down-to-earth, realistic feel to it. The problems, reactions to them, and solutions encountered, or not, as the case may be, were believable and mundane; stuff that we all can relate too. Immediately after viewing, I had settled on a 6 Star rating, thinking "Sunshine" was going to be sans ricocheting...But, there has been some of that going on in that 'ID' of mine, hours after viewing. So, we'll up it 7 Stars!
..... ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA!
Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome!
getting by
magnuslhad6 February 2016
Rose works as a maid while trying to raise her troublemaker (according to the school) son. Her sister Norah still lives with Dad, unable to hold down a simple job and fully immersed in her slacker lifestyle. The father Joe seems to have ambitions to be an entrepreneur in his retirement years. When Rose's lover and father of her child suggests she start a cleaning business taking care of crime scenes, it looks like she might be able to turn her life around. Amy Adams is full of neurotic energy as Rose. Stung by a chance encounter with an old schoolmate, she starts to make efforts to achieve the status she believes a former top cheerleader should attain. The storyline of starting the business, overcoming the queasiness and glimpsing success before setbacks kick in, is all nicely done. The characters are natural and engaging. Emily Blunt as Norah is aimless and affable. She makes a connection borne from misplaced compassion. The joyless sex she puts herself through with her sometime boyfriend, and her lack of work ethic, point to something missing in her life. But she is a doting aunt and empathetic being, who needs to go be her better self. And both women need to face up to the dark legacy of their mother. The narrative doesn't always hold up however, and some episodes appear random. Oscar's behavioural problems are overplayed, especially the licking. Dad buying shrimp is also a storyline that just dangles on the edges. Some conversations with heaven via CB radio do not quite convince. And a character having one arm seems too much of a deliberate play for quirkiness. The ending, involving some baby shower nonsense and a sibling fall out, seems rather forced and spoon-fed. Good acting, some nice relationships, but in the end this in no Little Miss Sunshine.
Illuminating as sunshine, this film is a sharp, sweet look at the working class
inkblot118 April 2009
Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) was once a popular cheerleader and a person of envy, back in those high school years. However, she has made some questionable choices since then and now works as a home cleaner to support herself and her young son, Oscar. She does a have a back-up system in her wheeler-dealer father, Joe (Alan Arkin) and in her frequently out-of-work younger sister, Norah (Emily Blunt), if she needs babysitters. She calls upon the eccentric Norah often, especially so that she, Rose, can have a late-night tryst with a married policeman, Mac (Steve Zahn). Ouch, she is still going in the wrong direction, it seems. However, Mac does give her a work tip. If she could get into the "crime scene" cleaning business, she would be pulling in large bucks, as removing blood stains is big stuff. Receiving some leads, Rose does begin to get some assignments, like cleaning up after suicide victims and folks that die in their slovenly homes. Reluctantly, Norah agrees to help and "Sunshine Cleaners" is born. But, with Oscar still having trouble in school and with Mac continuing to string her along in the love department, will Rose really rise above her present circumstances? This is a fine film about people who work hard and get nowhere. First, the cast is great, with Adams, Blunt and Arkin delivering terrific performances, ones worthy of honors. Blunt, especially, is a treasure as the unconventional woman, haunted by past circumstances, and having trouble fitting into "modern" existence. The lesser actors are also nice, but Zahn is, unfortunately, given no chances to show off his comedic touch. The setting in New Mexico is also lovely, while the costumes and look of the film are likewise wonderful. That said, special mention should also go to the very fine, sharply worded script and the secure direction. This is a heart-grabbing story, with unusual elements and unsettling realities. If you love films that are not of the typical, churn-em-out variety, this one is definitely a worthy choice. It is as illuminating as sunshine and as touching as they come.
Nothing extraordinary, but solid
chnutscher21 May 2017
An interesting story, somewhat different from the usual scripts. I mainly watched this movie due to the presence of Adams and Blunt together, two IMO very convincing actresses. The movie moves between mediocrity, hopes and melancholy in life. Well suited for both of them, here sisters, as Blunt makes an excellent presence in grim roles, as well as Adams is great and very credible playing characters who alternate between high hopes, confidence, and desperation. Another representative of roles of "difficult cases", Rajskub, adds a bit more to the movie. On the entertaining background of the semi-successful dad of the two sisters.
Nothing extraordinary, but a nice mix of comedy and drama elements, while none of both prevail, making it nor too lightweight, nor too dark. And with a fulminant final sentence, "you'll get used to it".
The mood of the movie has some similarities with and remainded me of another excellent movie, "You can count on me" (2000).
Nothing extraordinary, but a nice mix of comedy and drama elements, while none of both prevail, making it nor too lightweight, nor too dark. And with a fulminant final sentence, "you'll get used to it".
The mood of the movie has some similarities with and remainded me of another excellent movie, "You can count on me" (2000).
straight to the heart
KalamazooGal21 March 2009
Just saw the film. I thought I might be let down as I've been waiting with anticipation since I saw the trailer on youtube. I can say that not only was I not let down by this film, but that it superseded them in the most refreshing way possible. There was something I noticed about the movie. It had great comical moments, but it was not the funniest film ever. It had great acting, writing, and was filmed beautifully...and yet I'm sure that it is probably not the best film ever. What I loved about it though was that it was NOT like most films of late that try so hard to be the best film ever. You know the ones with the fancy film work and the melodrama...the lines written that are asking for an Oscar. Sometimes those just irritate me because they are trying so hard to be a great film and they forget to tell a great story. The film makers didn't forget that here. I was not distracted by anything. Everything came together in this film that I felt like I knew the people and I wanted to know what happened to them. I liked it because it reminded me that we're all human. I love that.
not very good, not very bad - a definite in-the-middle movie that cant stick to one side
Quinoa198417 April 2009
Sunshine Cleaning is a Lifetime movie in Little Miss Sunshine skin. It's not hard to figure; the producers of Little Miss Sunshine had a gargantuan hit, and so they thought they wanted to take on something that might have had a similar flavor and hit lightning twice. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, but it's not really the fault of the actors, as they- Amy Adams (who doesn't like her?), Alan Arkin, Clifton Collins Jr, Steve Zahn- are all likable to one extent or another (the exception's possibly Emily Blunt, though that's more for her character than herself playing the part, and that little kid playing Amy Adams' son who at one point talks to God on a CB radio in a cringe inducing scene).
It's the script, as it tries too hard to meld the quirky (yes, I'm using the word quirky, it's appropriate here) comedy and some pretty dark drama and it doesn't really come off authentic either way. There are a few scenes here and there that vary with potential, but only scene, when Adams sits and comforts the old woman whose husband has committed suicide, felt completely and wholly emotionally satisfying (then again this scene is not populated with get-rich-quick shrimp schemes or a one-armed guy or a kid who talks to God through a CB radio, or another one of those "I'll hang from something and scream loud ala the canyon scene in Garden State).
I didn't ever really laugh either, and I was only pulled into any of the drama because of the actors in the roles (Adams is basically the best you'll get if you want an automatic tearing-up machine). If it had stuck either way it might have had something.
It's the script, as it tries too hard to meld the quirky (yes, I'm using the word quirky, it's appropriate here) comedy and some pretty dark drama and it doesn't really come off authentic either way. There are a few scenes here and there that vary with potential, but only scene, when Adams sits and comforts the old woman whose husband has committed suicide, felt completely and wholly emotionally satisfying (then again this scene is not populated with get-rich-quick shrimp schemes or a one-armed guy or a kid who talks to God through a CB radio, or another one of those "I'll hang from something and scream loud ala the canyon scene in Garden State).
I didn't ever really laugh either, and I was only pulled into any of the drama because of the actors in the roles (Adams is basically the best you'll get if you want an automatic tearing-up machine). If it had stuck either way it might have had something.
This Film Is Not Complete
petesea19 April 2009
There is something missing with this film - it is not complete. There is only a glimpse into a few days of these character's lives. Amy Adams is great, but Alan Arkin is turning into a caricature actor - this is NOT Little Miss Sunshine. The film's setting is New Mexico and is beautifully filmed. Amy Adams' Rose is "strong and a winner" as she tells herself each morning from a Post-It on her bathroom mirror. Then why is she stuck in a going nowhere affair with her married, ex-jock high school boyfriend? Emily Blunt's Norah also has issues - she cannot keep a waitress job at a "restaurant" that is really a lunch counter which does not need a waitress. There are tragic family issues beyond the Dad's business schemes that do not work out. And the crime scene cleanup business does not work out the character's or the family's issues. There are some cute scenes and some touching scenes; but this film leaves many, many questions unanswered.
Another Little miss Sunshine
blandiefam5 March 2011
It seems that Allan Arkin is the king of movies like this. The plot is simple and straight forward. It's like taking a trip to buy Christmas presents when you were 10. Car ride to Macy's is rather mundane but you know you are going to get something good. I felt really great about the story and the actors were top notch. I know most people love action and adventure but this was a movie full of another type of action and adventure. Action taken by the lead character is something we can all cheer and become a part of. I cannot imagine myself jumping from a bridge from a train or shooting my way out of a situation like the other movies call me to believe. Subtle action is still action and fun to watch. I highly recommend this movie partly because of the actors and secondly because of the the director. Amy Adams is like a princess looking for a frog in a world of ogres. Emily Blunt does another terrific job of being the supporting actress to Amy. Life like stories are sometimes boring and arduous. This one moves very well and the resolve is acceptable.
Somebody's Gotta Do It
gbkmmaurstad5 October 2017
Rose (Amy Adams), can't seem to catch a break. Her mother committed suicide when she and her flaky sister, Norah (Emily Blunt) were young. It hasn't gotten any better, she's a single mother with a child whose been kicked out of school, and begins to realize her married cop boyfriend is never going to leave his wife.
Rose's quirky Dad (Alan Arkin) tries to help out with Oscar, but he's already raised two girls on his own and wants to make more of himself. Fired from her housecleaning job and no money to get Oscar into a school that can help him, Rose's boyfriend Mac suggests she work some of the crime scene cleanups until she figures things out.
This is a dark comedy, similar to Fargo, not for young viewers.
Rose's quirky Dad (Alan Arkin) tries to help out with Oscar, but he's already raised two girls on his own and wants to make more of himself. Fired from her housecleaning job and no money to get Oscar into a school that can help him, Rose's boyfriend Mac suggests she work some of the crime scene cleanups until she figures things out.
This is a dark comedy, similar to Fargo, not for young viewers.
Nice drama
mistoppi15 May 2017
I chose to watch this movie because the plot seemed interesting enough, but mainly I even learned about this movie because Clifton Collins Jr. is in this movie.
Sunshine Cleaning is very simple yet delicate and vulnerable. It's exactly what drama movies should be like, when they are at their finest without trying too much. It's a slice of life, and while it moves you, it also makes you feel good, it makes you smile.
The emotional side of the characters is very easy to relate to. There was a scene where another person told the main character Rose she was nothing, and while I of course share that scene with no basis whatsoever, it was weirdly powerful in the movie. While I usually don't get bothered by this kind of exchanges, this felt very real and when I paused the movie to reply to a text I felt like someone had said something mean to me, that I had read that somewhere, that it actually was about me.
The cast of the movie is incredibly talented. Mostly I admire the talent of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt both show emotion in incredible well and believably for different characters with different personalities. Both are great actresses,
While the plot wasn't exactly what I thought, and I didn't like all the plot points and how certain things ended up, Sunshine Cleaning is still a very nice and emotional drama.
Sunshine Cleaning is very simple yet delicate and vulnerable. It's exactly what drama movies should be like, when they are at their finest without trying too much. It's a slice of life, and while it moves you, it also makes you feel good, it makes you smile.
The emotional side of the characters is very easy to relate to. There was a scene where another person told the main character Rose she was nothing, and while I of course share that scene with no basis whatsoever, it was weirdly powerful in the movie. While I usually don't get bothered by this kind of exchanges, this felt very real and when I paused the movie to reply to a text I felt like someone had said something mean to me, that I had read that somewhere, that it actually was about me.
The cast of the movie is incredibly talented. Mostly I admire the talent of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt both show emotion in incredible well and believably for different characters with different personalities. Both are great actresses,
While the plot wasn't exactly what I thought, and I didn't like all the plot points and how certain things ended up, Sunshine Cleaning is still a very nice and emotional drama.
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