Sunshine Cleaning (2008)
Amy Adams fans, put Sunshine Cleaning at the top of your list. Known to be highly critical of Amy’s dramatic performances, I was truly impressed with her in this movie. She’s very believable as a low-class woman with low self-esteem and few options. This comedy-drama gives her a great range and balance between being optimistic and realistic. When she’s exposed at the start of the movie for being a housecleaner when she used to be the top dog in high school, she’s humiliated but tries to salvage what’s left of her pride. She also has an exposing speech in which she admits her faults and explains why she chooses married men, and it’s very effective.
Steve Zahn plays her married boyfriend – what a shock! I’ve usually seen him in sweet, goofy parts, but this is a strict dramatic role. Emily Blunt puts on an American accent and plays Amy’s purple-haired, offbeat, rule-breaking sister. When Amy gets the idea to switch from cleaning houses to cleaning up crime scenes, Emily agrees to join her. It’s a pretty gruesome job, with blood and body parts everywhere. When you think about it, though, who does clean up after a murder or suicide? No one wants to think about it, and it’s a thankless, very important job. Watching a movie about two women who dirty their hands and give themselves nightmares is pretty sobering – which is why there’s a lot of comedy mixed in with the drama. Alan Arkin plays the girls’ father, which is no surprise since Big Beach Productions also produced Little Miss Sunshine. Know what you’re getting into with this indie flick; don’t expect the charm of Enchanted or the symbolism of The Master. It is a very good independent movie, but it feels like an oddball.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to adult subject matter and bloody crime scenes, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More Emily Blunt movies here!
Steve Zahn plays her married boyfriend – what a shock! I’ve usually seen him in sweet, goofy parts, but this is a strict dramatic role. Emily Blunt puts on an American accent and plays Amy’s purple-haired, offbeat, rule-breaking sister. When Amy gets the idea to switch from cleaning houses to cleaning up crime scenes, Emily agrees to join her. It’s a pretty gruesome job, with blood and body parts everywhere. When you think about it, though, who does clean up after a murder or suicide? No one wants to think about it, and it’s a thankless, very important job. Watching a movie about two women who dirty their hands and give themselves nightmares is pretty sobering – which is why there’s a lot of comedy mixed in with the drama. Alan Arkin plays the girls’ father, which is no surprise since Big Beach Productions also produced Little Miss Sunshine. Know what you’re getting into with this indie flick; don’t expect the charm of Enchanted or the symbolism of The Master. It is a very good independent movie, but it feels like an oddball.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to adult subject matter and bloody crime scenes, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More Emily Blunt movies here!