Sunshine Cleaning
for language, disturbing images, some sexuality and drug use.
Reviewed by: Misty Wagner
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Extremely Offensive |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
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| Primary Audience: | Adults |
| Genre: | Crime Comedy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 42 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2009 |
| USA Release: |
April 3, 2009 (expansion—500 theaters) March 27, 2009 (wide—250 theaters) March 20, 2009 (expansion—50 theaters) March 13, 2009 (limited—4 theaters) |
Drunkenness in the Bible
About murder in the Bible
Death in the Bible
Adultery in the Bible
SUICIDE—What does the Bible say? Answer
If a Christian commits suicide, will they go to Heaven? Answer
GAY—What’s wrong with being gay? Answer
Homosexual behavior versus the Bible: Are people born gay? Does homosexuality harm anyone? Is it anyone’s business? Are homosexual and heterosexual relationships equally valid?
What about gays needs to change? Answer
It may not be what you think.
| Featuring |
Amy Adams Emily Blunt Alan Arkin Jason Spevack Steve Zahn Mary Lynn Rajskub See all » |
| Director |
Christine Jeffs |
| Producer | Back Lot Pictures, Big Beach Films, Clean Sweep Productions, Jeb Brody, Bob Dohrmann, Dan Genetti, Peter Saraf, Marc Turtletaub, Glenn Williamson |
| Distributor | Overture Films |
“Life’s a messy business.”
Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) cleans homes for a living. Miserably so, she attempts to include herself in the pace society keeps, but somehow continually gets left in the dust of the luxury automobiles racing past her. She finds herself stuck—stuck as a maid in Albuquerque, cleaning million dollar homes; stuck as a single mother whose son appears giftedly bright with no school willing to take the time to understand him—and lastly, stuck in a relationship with her high school sweetheart (Steve Zahn) who is now married to another woman. Rose wakes up every morning and recites positive affirmations to herself, in the bathroom mirror. She hopes for more, but settles for exactly what she has.
Norah (Emily Blunt), Rose’s younger sister, is stuck in entirely different ways—drugs, drinking and dead end jobs that she can’t seem to keep… Both girls now adult products of a tragically dysfunctional childhood.
When Rose finds herself needing money right away, she realizes that it’s time to take the leap and strive for more. When she learns what kind of money can be made from bio-hazard removal and crime scene clean-up, she decides this is the stepping stone she needs to get where she is going. Recently unemployed, Norah pitches in reluctantly and thus, Sunshine Cleaning is born.
“Sunshine Cleaning” is an honest portrayal of life. Its honesty isn’t censored or candy-coated. Though endearing, poignant and sometimes funny, there are parts of this film that are not easily swallowed. There are difficult subjects from beginning to end including murder, suicide, homosexuality and adultery. There is heavy profanity scattered throughout the majority of this film, as well. Those easily offended should definitely not watch this movie.
While this film was quite heavy in content, I truly enjoyed it. With every sub-plot line and character, I found myself appreciative of the story within the film. As these characters reached their lowest moments, and then found the courage to walk towards something better—I internally cheered. Life is hard, often ugly and always uncensored, and sometimes it’s refreshing to see a film that is realistic and relatable.
Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Moderate
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
none
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
The two leading characters are believable as two sisters who are desperately trying to support themselves, but they indulge in adultery, casual sex, drug use, lawlessness, and there are some homosexual moments. The serious issues of immorality are clouded by the appealing actors and the well-written screenplay.
As well-made as the movie is, I can only recommend it for its artistic qualities and the themes of sisterly love and forgiveness, a father’s care, as eccentric as it is, for his family, and the little bit of humor cleverly thrown in.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½