Sunshine Cleaning

"Sunshine Cleaning" (2009) is probably most like "Tender Mercies" (1983) and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed that film. But it is not quite as pure and restrained in its storytelling techniques; there are several visual flashbacks and bit of "Junebug" (2006) cuteness but these departures do not really get it the way (at least in part because the flashbacks are done so well). The promo material emphasizes "funny and gently heartbreaking" but don't get the film expecting to see a comedy. There are a few tension relieving black comedy moments in the style of "Breaking Bad" (coincidently Tess Harper of "Tender Mercies" plays Jesse's mother on that series). But mostly it is just portrayals of very wounded people trying keep it together enough to function in the world.The film does include an awesome and extremely unusual climatic sequence about 10 minutes before the actual ending. Just as things seem darkest, Rose (Amy Adams) and Norah (Emily Blunt) unexpectedly get to see their dead mother's appearance in an old made-for-TV movie that they have until then only heard exists. This film within a film sequence is amazingly moving as the editor cuts between three actresses who look so alike in features and complexions that the customary suspension of disbelief is unnecessary.Rose is a single mom desperate for money after her impulsive 7-year-old son is thrown out of his elementary school. Life has beaten her up and been downhill for her since high school. A chronic need for validation has her trapped in a one-way affair with Mac, her high-school boyfriend (Steve Zahn in a nicely restrained performance), who fathered her son but married someone else. Rose's younger sister, Norah, is a party hard slacker still living with her father and still traumatized by her mother's suicide when Norah was a little girl.Mac (a police detective) tips the two sisters to a business opportunity cleaning up messy crime scenes. The business gives Rose validation and allows her to break off the relationship with Mac. It gives Norah glimpses into the lives of other troubled families (they clean up a lot of suicides), she connects with their pain but has to learn that pain is a very individual thing.Credit the success of this film to Adams and Blunt, who became close friends during this production; this translated into a an effortless believability in their portrayal of the dynamic between two sisters (it has simply never been done better).The other inspired element involves Winston (Clifton Collins), a one-armed janitorial supply store owner. He baby-sits Rose's son and is a resource for Rose as she tracks up the learning curve of her new business. Collins gently teases this role and transcends a script that is otherwise a little too sunny.The DVD includes an excellent commentary special feature in which the writer and the producer discuss the dynamics of adapting the original script and producing the film. These are typically extremely lame but this one is very well done and quite useful.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

The premise of this movie is dark so I was pleasantly surprised that the story ended on a high note. A single mom (Amy Adams) cleans houses for a living and worries about how she's going to pay for private school after her bright but hyperactive young son is deemed a troublemaker in his current school. Her on-the-sneak boyfriend (a cop who is married to her high school cheerleading rival) tips her off to a more lucrative career path: cleaning up gruesome messes at the scenes of crimes or suicides. Never mind that her own mother committed suicide and she is haunted by the memory. Out of sheer desperation, she follows her boyfriend's advice and enlists the help of her younger sister (Emily Blunt) who also feels like a lost soul. The sisters don't know about the proper ways to go about this business. They make a lot of mistakes on the job, both minor and huge. Eventually, they learn the ropes, adhere to regulations,and most importantly, regain their self-esteem after years of feeling useless and unloved. Both actresses are excellent in their roles, as is Alan Arkin who plays their dad. Another interesting tidbit. The actor who plays the married cop is Steve Zahn, familiar to anyone who loves the movie "That Thing You Do!"

Absolutely criminal she didn't make headway with the handsome, stable man at the cleaning shop, yet leaned on him. Diminishes her character. Not even a glimmer of hope at the end; everyone seemed to have moved on.

Disc played perfectly. Packaging was in great condition. Product arrived quickly.

This generational family story is delightful. Grandfather/Granddaughter relationship is very moving and well acted, written and directed. Still holds up after many years.

What attracted me to this movie was the casting of Emily Blunt and Amy Adams, two of my favorite female actors, as well as Alan Arkin. The acting was top notch and even though the subject was dark, there were many light moments. It was well worth the time invested and one of my favorite movies so far this year.

They had me at Amy Adams and Emily Blunt. Throw in Alan Arkin and you’re off to a great start. The story is interesting as are the characters, and the writing/dialogue are also excellent. No reason to not watch this one.

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt deliver excellent performances in this movie about two sisters trying to get by and recover from the loss of their mother many years ago. There's trouble galore, including a scheming father, a troubled young boy, and the past that looms large over these two. When the financial crunch pinches hardest, Amy Adams goes from maid to bio haz cleaner in an effort to pay for her son's private school. This affords the viewer some comedic and dramatic looks at how we die and the effects on the living. These poignant scenes punctuate a meandering story where no one gets any traction and enable the viewer some insight into Adams' and Blunts' past with their mother. However, things don't exactly improve for the pair, culminating in a minor disaster that throws the whole thing down the drain. This is a movie about loss and lost love of the familial and romantic type. Yet there is the slightest glimmer of hope, otherwise it would be a total bummer.

This movie arrived in record time and in perfect condition. I haven't watched it yet but I hear it's a great movie.

Film frais malgré le sujet.

L'idea di partenza mi sembrava carina e mi piacciono molto entrambe le protagoniste, ma il risultato finale è ampiamente inferiore al previsto. Non c'è nulla che non vada, ma non si è creata la giusta alchimia tra la storia, la regia e le interpretazioni. Non mi ha divertito né emozionato come speravo.

"Sunshine Cleaning" ist ein sehr ergreifender Film über die Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens zweier ungleicher Schwestern (Rose und Norah) die einen ungewöhnlichen Plan realisieren um ihre Existenz zu sichern. Norah, die bis dahin noch recht planlos in den Tag hinein lebt und noch ambivalent über ihren Platz in der Welt scheint, steht im Kontrast zu ihrer Schwester Rose, die sehr organisiert im Alltag ist und die als Mutter eines hochbegabten Sohnes, stets bemüht ist seinem schwierigen Verhalten gerecht zu werden und von dessen Intelligenz zunächst nur sein exzentrischer Großvater ernsthafte Notiz nimmt. Schon bald aber wird die marode Einstellung der Schwestern zu ihrem Leben durch ihre sehr morbide Arbeit stark relativiert - sie entdecken Parallelen zu ihrer eigenen Vergangenheit und jede beginnt auf ihre Weise sie zu verarbeiten. Während Norah die Arbeit sehr nahe geht und dies auch offen zeigt, versucht Rose sich emotional zu distanzieren und es als ihren "Job" zu betrachten. Es geht um den Umgang mit Leben und Tod, um das Loslassen und das Festhalten, um Freude und Trauer - und wie nah dies alles beieinander liegt. ganz schnörkellos erzählt der Film vom einfachen Leben einer kleinen amerikanischen Familie, die danach strebt ein besseres Leben zu führen. Es ist ein lebhafter Film dessen Ebene aber trotzdem subtil bleibt. Wer verstehen will muss also auch seine Vorstellungskraft spielen lassen. Inzwischen ist es einer meiner Lieblingsfilme geworden, er ist so wunderbar authentisch das man ihn einfach lieben muss - unbedingt ansehen.Es sei noch erwähnt das Emily Blunt und Amy Adams wunderbar in ihren Rollen harmonieren, es sollte mehr Filme mit den beiden geben. Wer diesen hier einmal gesehen hat wird vielleicht genauso denken ;-)

Must admit, probably not the first topic of a film that I would jump for but what a joy to watch, cleaning crime scenes or where people have just died. It was funny, sad, rough and a joy to watch all the way through the blood splatter and other dangerous bio-hazards. Amy Adams (always great) and Emily Blunt (likewise) were superb throughout. Was slightly surprised by the end but I suppose life doesn't always turn out in a perfect perfect ending,