Review of Sunshine Cleaning (2008) by Octavio M — 19 May 2011

Perhaps its films like this one that force demands its audience to look at our own lives--to evaluate or reevaluate our own progress. From the outset of its promotional campaign, the premise was pitched as an offbeat situation comedy, which in reality turned out to be an earnest thematic study of a family enduring times of hardship. Sure at face value appears to be a typical presentation of the Lifetime Movie Network, but its much more than that.

We're introduced to Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) a hard working and responsible single mother who aspires to become a real estate agent. The downside is that she is having difficulty raising the money while working at a Merry Maids type of company, where she is essentially looked down upon by a few of her customers, who turned out to be her old high school friends. In short, she is strong, confident, and a looser.

Just one good look at this character tells its audience everything we need to know: she was a high school cheerleader who pretty much had her entire future in front of her, squandered in being the object of desire for those who seek her. Despite having her future in front of her, she has little to noting to show for. One can guess at this point in her life, that her past--in a way has caught up to the point where she is vilified by the majority of her peers, including the cop (her old high school sweetheart) with whom she is having an affair with.

Afterward, we're introduced to sister Norah, a naive and irresponsible individual who seems to have no real direction-hell, she can't even hold a job to save herself; the only support that she seem to be receiving is from her father, Joe (Alan Arkin).