SUNSHINE CLEANING

SUNSHINE CLEANING IS SPOTLESS
Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) wants a better life for her son and herself. After her mother died when sh was young, she has spent her life taking care of everyone but herself. Full of high hopes and positive affirmations, she works as a housekeeper until she can earn her real estate license; her ticket out. She passes the time in a "relationship" with her high school boyfriend, now married to someone else. She struggles to care for her handful of a son, her get-rich-quick scheming father, Joe (Alan Arkin) and her emotionally bruised sister Norah (Emily Blunt). She tries to find solace in the arms of her married ex-high school boyfriend, Mac, but she comes up alone and broken. An opportunity comes knocking; working as a crime scene clean-up worker to which she dives into full force, dragging her sister behind her. Rose exudes confidence and starts to glow with the pride of doing meaningful work and feeling like she is making a difference. Her sister reluctantly joins her as she seems allergic to working in general.
She doesn't like it, but tries her best, perhaps to please her sister and even finding her own self worth. She has spent a lifetime morning the loss of her mother without being sure exactly how to do just that. She is a pathetic mess trying to find some peace of mind.
There is not one actor in this film that does not pull an incredible performance out. Adams authentically follows a range from joy to despair as her character struggles. She is flawless. Arkin is easily laughed at, but genuinely human and struggling. After Prada, I wasn't sure how to take Blunt since the characters could not be more different. However, they are both human and she portrays a complicated and damaged woman who only wants to be loved. Now for Steve Zahn, Mac, Rose's married boyfriend, once high school sweetheart. When did he turn into a romantic lead??? He has always been cast as the smart-alec buddy, or dumb, funny side-kick. I can't recall another film where he has shown this ability. He is buff, looks good and is buff! I spent most of his first scenes trying to decide if that was indeed him. It was. His role is very small, but his presence is very big. I hope we see more of this. Check out the extras on the DVD which includes an interview with two real biohazard cleaners.

BIG BITE: Fine performances from the whole cast; funny and dramatic all in one. Swell job.