Sunshine Cleaning
Kiwi director Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia) makes her American debut with this comedy drama. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, Sunshine Cleaning centres on Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams), once the high school cheerleading captain who dated the quaterback, now a thirty something single mother working as a maid. Her sister Norah (Emily Blunt), is still living at home with their dad Joe (the brilliant Alan Arkin), a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get-rich-quick schemes.
Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and other grisly situations.
- Director:
- Christine Jeffs ('Sylvia', 'Rain')
- Writer:
- Megan Holley
- Cast:
- Amy AdamsEmily BluntAlan ArkinSteve ZahnJason SpevackMary Lynn Rajskub
Reviews & comments
Feel Good Film
This film is just one of those hidden gems, that if you haven't heard about it, it's less likely that you'll seek it out to watch. But honestly? It's definitely worth it. More than anything, I like the way that the themes and messages aren't forced down your throat, but subtly placed around, waiting for us to figure things out. Emily Blunt and Amy Adams...
Variety
pressDirector Christine Jeffs, who previously helmed "Rain" and "Sylvia," tries to strike a balance between the yarn's dark currents and offbeat comedy, but the result is often uneasy, with the humor receding as things progress.
Total Film
pressSunshine Cleaning gets an A for Amy Adams. Injecting some heartfelt, three-dimensional zest into the wispy, two-dimensional story, she spares this copycat indie’s blushes and scores a winning combo with Blunt.
The New York Times
pressAll in all, it's a mess, and much as Ms. Blunt pouts, Ms. Adams twinkles, and Mr. Arkin growls, there's nothing they can do to clean it up.
Roger Ebert
pressThe material might have promise as a black comedy, but its attempt to put on a smiling face is unconvincing.
Otago Daily Times
pressWith Arkin's cantankerous fatherly presence casting a shadow over proceedings, it's a cinematic crime to let Sunshine Cleaning languish in unsatisfactory-ending land, but that is precisely what happens.
New Zealand Herald
pressAmy Adams and Emily Blunt are a winning combination, taking commercial cleaning to a whole new level.
Los Angeles Times
pressA smartly done morality tale that couldn't be more in sync with these troubled times.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAmy Adams and Emily Blunt are two highly attractive, naturally funny actresses on the cusp of stardom so their pairing here as two lost souls is genius.
Empire Magazine
pressCould have been a little more darkly comic in places but the performances are superb.
Dominion Post
pressKiwi director Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia) has crafted a film that is touching, original and, yes, funny.
Variety
pressDirector Christine Jeffs, who previously helmed "Rain" and "Sylvia," tries to strike a balance between the yarn's dark currents and offbeat comedy, but the result is often uneasy, with the humor receding as things progress.
Total Film
pressSunshine Cleaning gets an A for Amy Adams. Injecting some heartfelt, three-dimensional zest into the wispy, two-dimensional story, she spares this copycat indie’s blushes and scores a winning combo with Blunt.
The New York Times
pressAll in all, it's a mess, and much as Ms. Blunt pouts, Ms. Adams twinkles, and Mr. Arkin growls, there's nothing they can do to clean it up.
Roger Ebert
pressThe material might have promise as a black comedy, but its attempt to put on a smiling face is unconvincing.
Otago Daily Times
pressWith Arkin's cantankerous fatherly presence casting a shadow over proceedings, it's a cinematic crime to let Sunshine Cleaning languish in unsatisfactory-ending land, but that is precisely what happens.
New Zealand Herald
pressAmy Adams and Emily Blunt are a winning combination, taking commercial cleaning to a whole new level.
Los Angeles Times
pressA smartly done morality tale that couldn't be more in sync with these troubled times.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAmy Adams and Emily Blunt are two highly attractive, naturally funny actresses on the cusp of stardom so their pairing here as two lost souls is genius.
Empire Magazine
pressCould have been a little more darkly comic in places but the performances are superb.
Dominion Post
pressKiwi director Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia) has crafted a film that is touching, original and, yes, funny.
Feel Good Film
This film is just one of those hidden gems, that if you haven't heard about it, it's less likely that you'll seek it out to watch. But honestly? It's definitely worth it. More than anything, I like the way that the themes and messages aren't forced down your throat, but subtly placed around, waiting for us to figure things out. Emily Blunt and Amy Adams...
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