Sunshine Cleaning

Can you handle a movie about overcoming dysfunction? Can you handle a story about suicide? Can you deal with a movie that is about dealing with the messes left behind by departed loved ones? If not, don't watch this movie. Among other things, these are the central themes of this movie.

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are very good as sisters who try to work together in a crime scene cleaning business. Toss into that mix of a well-intended but seldom successful entrepreneur father played by Alan Arkin. All are very likable characters but deeply flawed and scarred by a common occurrence.

Additional characters are also very strong. Steve Zahn and Clifton Collins Jr. are wonderful as the men next most involved in the sisters lives. These two veterans rarely get top billing but are masters at their craft.

A very young Jason Spevack is a very interesting side story here. While he is the son of the main character, his plot line is not a main story line but makes for very good entertainment. I'll wager we see more of this kid in future productions.

This movie is about very normal people who try very hard to lead happy lives. And despite their best efforts have a very hard time of things. You may or may not relate to these people, but hopefully you will find some respect for their trials. No everyone has it as easy as some of us.

Watch this movie with someone who knows what it means to struggle for just some of the basics.