More sobering than laugh-out-loud funny, Sunshine Cleaning gives full weight to the impact of death without rubbing our faces in the crime scenes.
Comment
12/17/09
Sunshine Cleaning (2009)
72
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:152
Fresh:109
Rotten:43
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Despite a sometimes overly familiar plot, Sunshine Cleaning benefits from the lively performances of its two stars.
Theatrical Release:Mar 13, 2009 Limited
Box Office: $12,033,702
Synopsis: From the producers of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE comes the charming Sundance hit SUNSHINE CLEANING, a spirited comedy-drama starring Amy Adams (DOUBT, ENCHANTED) as single-mom Rose Lorkowski, a plucky... [More]
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Reviews for Sunshine Cleaning
The movie never quite knows how to tackle the material because it literally jumps all over the map...
12/09/09
Megan Holley's script feels like it's been Sundance-workshopped to death. However, the cast - led by Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin - establishes a vibrantly odd family bond that sustains "Sunshine Cleaning" through its dimmer portions.
09/30/09
Sunshine Cleaning has that "Sundance" vibe, in that it feels overly developed and tested for a bittersweet 'indie" feel and for maximum quirkiness.
08/28/09
Shows there's nothing indie dramedies can't turn into faux-regional quirk
08/25/09
Not entirely insubstantial, even as the bulk evaporates from the mind.
08/25/09
The sort of movie you root for, hoping it'll break through to be something special. It never quite does, but it still has the not-insignificant value of two fine actresses cast as sisters. [Blu-ray]
08/20/09
While it may sound like Little Miss Sunshine's poor relative, or Sundance by-the-numbers, this is an enjoyable, poignant, moving and - yes - funny film in its own right.
08/17/09
There's close to nothing about this film that isn't contrived, forced and reminiscent of movies that twist themselves into knots to achieve Harold and Maude-like quirky charm.
08/14/09
Everything Amy Adams touches turns to gold, and even here where she is playing a character thoroughly down on her luck, she is luminous.
08/10/09
Jeffs makes a good fist of the direction and Blunt proves that she can do comedy, but it’s Adams’s comforting, charismatic central turn which really gives the film its lift.
07/03/09
Ultimately, the film is too neat, and too cloyingly sweet to tackle anything resembling real life.
07/03/09
Instead of something fresh and funny, this film is as formulaic and empty as any Hollywood blockbuster.
07/03/09
This is nearly a decent family comedy - but like the mantra-chuntering character Adams plays, it's just not confident enough of its strong points to really stand out.
07/03/09
Far from being a tragic grind, Sunshine Cleaning is one long, wonderful irony. It feels like a first film – delicate, fresh and female.
07/03/09
Jeffs shows economy in her direction and steers through the potentially difficult script with skilful handling of tone and mood, wonderfully striking balance between laughs and tears. What a relief it is to unearth this quietly sparkling gem.
07/03/09
Sunshine 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.
07/03/09
The film has poor commercial prospects, as its plot is too slender, its tone too blandly upbeat.
07/03/09
It's a film so achingly average it almost deserves an award for mediocrity.
07/03/09
The plot dithers and zigzags but only because human credibility, helped by excellent acting, has been allowed to prevail over Sundance-institutionalised designer whimsy.
07/03/09
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