Synopsis: In Sunshine Cleaning, a single mother goes into the crime scene clean-up business with her black sheep sister in order to raise the money to send her son to a private school.
Release Date: March 13, 2009 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Comedy, Drama
Film Review
Production
If you are seeking a film that is heartfelt, touching, and wholly believable, Sunshine Cleaning is it. The characters are full of range and emotion, and meld together on screen with a simplistic ease. Sunshine Cleaning is a story about family, about overcoming ones past, finding your future and accepting who you are and the choices you have made. More importantly, it will make you feel something while bringing you laughter and possibly a few tears.
Writing
The entire screenplay is packed full of one-liners and a dry, real-to-life dialogue that portrays the family dynamics of the story wonderfully. Sunshine Cleaning’s characters are not fantastical people, they are simple and reminiscent of those you would find living next door to you in Middle America. It is with the lack of complexity to the dialogue that makes the film unique for it is telling the story of real characters, of real circumstances, and real obstacles anyone may have to overcome in their life. As the comedy flows so does the drama and the words emanate from the characters so simply you would swear they were coming from someone you know or your own mouth. It is an excellent example of dramedy, and in that, life.
Cinematography
Throughout a variety of Sunshine Cleaning the framing of shots is poorly done. The framing appears awkward due to the fact that the tops of the heads of characters are cut-off or positioned to close to the top of the frame. This may not bother the casual viewer but as one really looks at the scenes before them it is irritating as it takes away from the action occurring by making you wonder if there is an issue with the print you are watching since the characters are not being seen correctly. Based on the film as a whole, and the lack of cinematographic technique it has, it is clear this is a misjudgment on how individuals should be framed for a shot and not a device used to convey the story.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Christine Jeffs
- Screenwriters: Glenn Williamson, Megan Holley
- Cast: Amy Adams (Rose Lorkowski), Emily Blunt (Norah), Alan Arkin (Joe), Jason Spevack (Oscar), Steve Zahn (Mac)
- Country Of Origin: USA
