Sunshine Cleaning

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Sunshine Cleaning

R

Released Mar 27, 2009

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

178 Reviews

63%

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100,000+ Ratings

Though they once seemed to have a bright future, life seems to be passing by the Norkowski sisters. Rose (Amy Adams), once the most popular girl in high school, is a single mom and works as a maid. Norah (Emily Blunt) still lives at home with their father (Alan Arkin) and parties all the time. When Rose's married lover tells her about the lucrative field of crime-scene cleanup, she pours all her remaining resources into her new business, and recruits the squeamish Norah to help.

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Critics Consensus

Despite a sometimes overly familiar plot, Sunshine Cleaning benefits from the lively performances of its two stars.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Filled with touching moments and relatable agony in the midst of financial and personal meltdowns, Blunt and Adams effortlessly portray two characters on the verge of a breakthrough...

Rated: B+

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Keith Uhlich

Time Out

[B]leach this one fully out of sight and mind.

Rated: 1/6

Nov 16, 2011

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Jordan Hoffman

UGO

There's close to nothing about this film that isn't contrived, forced and reminiscent of movies that twist themselves into knots to achieve Harold and Maude-like quirky charm.

Rated: C-

Aug 14, 2009

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Relying on a contrast between the bright leads working in grim situations, the story never quite comes together.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 1, 2023

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Sunshine Cleaning succeeds because Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, and Alan Arkin are so good at their jobs.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 18, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Oddly whimsical for a dark foray into the humorous side of crime-scene clean-up.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 29, 2020

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David H

Adams and Blunt make this movie great

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

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ira m

I saw this for a second or fourth time after seeing it year/ decades ago. Heart felt and humanistic. Sensitive with understated sense of humor. Can't go wrong watching this.. unless you want an everything blows up movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

Full Review

Gustavo R

Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin (RIP) star on this drama comedy film. I remember watching this movie before not thinking too much about it but this time I really liked it. Making it one of my favorite movies. Rose is a single mom, former cheering squad captain, now she cleans houses and her life is not the best. She stars an unusual business of cleaning dead scene places. Heartfelt, funny, great great acting by Amy and Emily and Alan, even the kid is orettt good. Highly recommended 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿/5 on Prime

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

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Leopold S

A TOTAL bore and dud. I hated Little Miss Sunshine too. Love Blunt & Adams usually -- but this was a real ZERO

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/28/24

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Geke g

You will get this even you so hign. Amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

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Munkhchimeg T

Movie like a rainbow after rain. so relaxing and peaceful after her overcomes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

Full Review

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Christine Jeffs

Director

Amy Adams

Rose

Emily Blunt

Norah

Alan Arkin

Joe

Jason Spevack

Oscar

Steve Zahn

Mac

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Synopsis

Though they once seemed to have a bright future, life seems to be passing by the Norkowski sisters. Rose (Amy Adams), once the most popular girl in high school, is a single mom and works as a maid. Norah (Emily Blunt) still lives at home with their father (Alan Arkin) and parties all the time. When Rose's married lover tells her about the lucrative field of crime-scene cleanup, she pours all her remaining resources into her new business, and recruits the squeamish Norah to help.

Director: Christine Jeffs
Producer: Peter Saraf, Marc Turtletaub, Jeb Brody, Glenn Williamson
Screenwriter: Megan Holly
Distributor: Overture Films
Production Co: Big Beach, Back Lot Pictures
Rating: R (Drug Use|Disturbing Images|Language|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.1M
Runtime: 1h 42m

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