The Place For The Latest Movie Reviews
Cast: Alan Arkin, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins, Jr., Eric Christian Olsen, Kevin Chapman, Jason Spevack
Desperate to get her son into a better school, single mom Rose (Amy Adams) persuades her slacker sister Norah (Emily Blunt) to join her in the crime scene cleanup business to make some quick cash. With the help of their ill-fated salesman father (Alan Arkin), they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, finding themselves up to their elbows in murders, suicides, and… specialized situations. But underneath the dust and grime they also come to discover a true respect for one another, and create a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family.
I like many loved "Little Miss Sunshine" so I was looking forward to seeing this due to the fact this is from the same Producers. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt make a perfect pair as two sisters who barely get along but go into a "Cleaning" business together in hopes of making a better life for themselves. These two women are as talented as they are beautiful and it is a delight to see them on screen together. Alan Arkin is also fantastic here, I loved him in "Little Miss Sunshine" and he is terrific here as a father struggling himself but who still looks out for his daughters as well, this is the kind of role that is his alone, no one else does it better. The rest of the supporting cast members are also amazing here including, Steve Zahn,Mary Lynn Rajskub and Clifton Collins, Jr.. The girl's business of cleaning up crime scenes is not a pretty one but it leads to some very good drama between them as well as some very funny moments as well along the way. The film's main theme might be about taking a humorous look at crime scene cleaning but it is also a film about family and just trying to catch a break in life. You get to know each character very well and you feel both their joy and pain and like them you hope that in the end everything works out for family. "Little Miss Sunshine" might of been a funnier film but this story is more heart-felt, more human which makes the characters here more believable and the story more realistic. The film offers a roller coaster ride of emotions, at times it can be simply hilarious while other times it just breaks your heart. Sunshine Cleaning is a refreshing piece of cinema that is a delight to watch, you really fall in love with this broken family and in the end you share in their hopes for a much brighter future. Among all the brainless action films out their stands this gem that I cannot recommend enough. This is a film that simply defines the word classic in every sense. I think anyone who takes the time to see this film will love it as much as I did. The DVD comes with Special Features that include:
Featurette: “A Fresh Look at a Dirty Business” Featurette
Audio Commentary: Featuring Writer Megan Holley and Producer Glenn Williamson
Trailers: 1. Trailer 2. Sneak Peeks
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment. **** Out Of *****