From the producers of Little Miss Sunshine comes another Sundance film with the word “Sunshine” in the title, featuring Alan Arkin as a hilarious grandfather.
Initially, the plot seems typical. Rose (Amy Adams), a single mother, struggles to support her son Oscar (Jason Spevack), who is extra imaginative and constantly acting out in school (at one point, he licks his teacher’s leg). An ex-cheerleader, Rose remains in a secret relationship with her high school quarterback boyfriend, Mac (Steve Zahn, or the amazing Lenny from That Thing You Do!) who is now a married police chief. When the maid service she works for ends up cleaning one of her old cheer-mates mansions, Rose is embarrassed and determined to make something of herself, all the while hoping Mac will leave his wife and begin the life she’s always dreamed of.
Then, out of financial desperation, she accepts Mac’s offer to start working in the “biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up business” (a.k.a. the people who clean up all the blood and guts after murders and suicides), dragging her cynical unemployed younger sister, Norah (Emily Blunt), with her. The girls soon realize there is more to crime scene clean-up than they thought; physically and emotionally.
Entertaining subplots include Norah stalking and befriending the daughter of a victim whose pictures she finds at a crime scene, Grandpa Joe attempting to sell cheap popcorn and stolen shrimp to local businesses, and a charming supply store owner becoming a great friend and an unlikely father figure for Oscar.
The film’s otherwise upsetting theme feels balanced by Oscar’s innocent curiosity and Rose’s unprecedented optimism despite all of her struggles. The cast displays impeccable chemistry, showing all the right emotion in all the right places.
Sunshine Cleaning brings originality to the traditional independent story line, shining light on a gruesome (but necessary) occupation and all of it’s blood and glory. A downer at times, but definitely worth seeing.
Spoiler: You will see Steve Zahn’s butt.
Sounds unlike any movie I have ever seen! Great review…it sounds like something we should see.
P.S.
That was MY comment…but I was logged in under Jake.
I really liked this movie! Amy Adams and Emily Blunt did a nice job as the leads. And like you said, the story brought some refreshing “original” moments. Good review!