Review of Sunshine Cleaning (2008) by Jeffrey M — 03 Jan 2014

Funny, poignant, endearing, and resonating, Sunshine Cleaning is an example of a dramedy done right. It's a film that captures the authentic family dynamics we can all relate to, in a story that is familiar, but with a narrative framework that is refreshing. The characters are flawed, the times are hard, yet the hopeful undercurrent is felt throughout.

The film finds Amy Adams as a single mom who, by happenstance, endeavors on a crime-scene cleaning business. She struggles to find balance between her own misgivings (an affair with a married man and high school sweetheart), her adrift sister, her mischievous son, and her well-meaning father. The film is full of humor, but never at the sacrifice for its central narrative. It gives us a tapestry of people who feel real, all with their own struggles, and manages to give all their due. The themes are familiar, yet executed in an uncanny way.

The performance of Amy Adams is, without question, the most successful thing about the film. She anchors every scene with a charisma, an energy, and comforting performance. We feel her insecurities, but appreciate her endurance. Her chemistry with Emily Blunt is also felt throughout, making for a very effective relationship between the two.

Above all, the film feels smart. It's not whimsical for the sake of whimsical, it's not cliché, but feels mature. The humor is organic, the performances are endearing. It's lighthearted at times, yet undeniably poignant at the end.

A very strong overall dramedy.

4/5 Stars.