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Sunshine Cleaning

Play trailer Poster for Sunshine Cleaning R 2009 1h 42m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 177 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 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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Sunshine Cleaning

Sunshine Cleaning

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Faiz D Although it ended abruptly, Sunshine Cleaning is a decent movie thanks to the wonderful performances by Amy and Emily. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review David H Adams and Blunt make this movie great Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/05/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Geke g You will get this even you so hign. Amazing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Sunshine Cleaning

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Cast & Crew

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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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Sunshine Cleaning

Alan Arkin as Joe in "Sunshine Cleaning." (L-R) Emily Blunt as Norah and Amy Adams as Rose in "Sunshine Cleaning." Jason Spevack as Oscar in "Sunshine Cleaning." (L-R) Amy Adams as Rose and Emily Blunt as Norah in "Sunshine Cleaning." (L-R) Jason Spevack as Oscar, Amy Adams as Rose and Emily Blunt as Norah in "Sunshine Cleaning." Amy Adams as Rose in "Sunshine Cleaning." (L-R) Mary Lynn Rajskub as Lynn and Emily Blunt as Norah in "Sunshine Cleaning." Steve Zahn as Mac in "Sunshine Cleaning." (L-R) Jason Spevack as Oscar and Alan Arkin as Joe in "Sunshine Cleaning." (L-R) Emily Blunt as Norah, Jason Spevack as Oscar and Amy Adams as Rose in "Sunshine Cleaning." View more photos

Movie Info

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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