Rated R for language, disturbing images, some sexuality and drug use.
Directed by Christine Jeffs
Starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin and Steve Zahn
Todd’s Word: Sunshine Cleaning isn’t as happy or clean as the title might suggest.
Jonathan’s Word: Yes, this film isn’t really a pick-me-up. Even though the film was creative and had a good message… it treaded through some dark waters to arrive there.
Give us the synopsis Todd.
Synopsis: The Producers of the indie hit Little Miss Sunshine are back seeking cinematic gold once again with Sunshine Cleaning. This time the story revolves around two sister, Rose (Amy Adams) and Norah (Emily Blunt), who struggle to make ends meet and with day to day life since losing their mother when they were young. Rose is the “responsible one” who keeps busy cleaning homes and raising her seven-year-old son Oscar. She's also having an affair with her high-school sweetheart Mac (Steve Zahn), who is a married cop. Norah is a flaky free-spirit who can't hold down a job. Their dad, Joe, is as quirky as they come. When Oscar is expelled for odd behavior, Rose wants to earn enough to send him to private school. Mac suggests she clean up after crime scenes, suicides, and deaths that go undiscovered for awhile. Rose enlists Norah, and Sunshine Cleaners is born. Norah bonds with the dead, Rose discovers all the regulations in her new business, and too many complications arise.
Jonathan’s Word: Nicely done.
Todd’s Word: Thank you. There's no denying the human drama in this story. I wasn’t exactly counting down the days for the DVD release but I quickly found myself rooting for the ever-hopeful Rose as she tries everything to rise above the hopelessness of her no-where life. At times it was painful watching her struggle to make a better life for herself and her son. It seems no matter how bad life gets, Rose is willing to press on. Her perseverance and the family loyalty are clearly the high points.
Jonathan’s Word: I agree. My wife Lori and I saw the previews and thought it looked worthwhile. The film definitely delivered a quirky combination of both humor and heart… emphasis on the word “quirky.”
I agree with you Todd, I found myself rooting for Rose. She was really a likable character. Very real.
Todd’s Word: Yeah, but as much as I was rooting for her, I found the movie to be so offensive that it was unenjoyable. The tag line reads, “Life’s a messy business” and Sunshine Cleaning is pretty messy.
Jonathan’s Word: I guess it depends on the audience. Much of today’s audience won’t find it offensive at all. No nudity (although there are some quick “no-nudity” sex scenes), and no real on-screen violence (just pictures of the aftermath), so some might actually call it clean. I call it bizarre.
Todd’s Word: Sure it has a great cast, a big heart and some good laughs; but the movie’s dialogue is as nasty as one of the crime scenes. Not to mention Rose’s affair with a married man—a little uncomfortable.
Jonathan’s Word: The performances were great and the casting was spot on. As for how offended you’ll be by the film, it will all come down to how “artsy” you are. Some will really enjoy this film.
It was a little over the top for me.
Todd’s Word: I’m pretty confident that I would have loved Sunshine Cleaning if it just cleaned up a little bit. Since they didn’t, I say Skip It.
Jonathan’s Word: I enjoyed it a little, enough to score it, Only If It’s Free.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No, the R-rating actually describes it well with this one: language, disturbing images, some sexuality and drug use.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
