Sunshine Cleaning
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
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  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Stina Chyn
    80
    Beneath its morbid exterior, Sunshine Cleaning projects a tender portrait of how people help out others and seek a better life for themselves.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Betsy Sharkey
    80
    A smartly done morality tale that couldn't be more in sync with these troubled times.
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    80
    It's a solid indie effort with plenty of nice character strokes by screenwriter Megan Holley and razor-sharp performances by Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    75
    This funny and touching movie depends on two can-do actresses to scrub past the biohazard of noxious clichés that threaten to intrude. Adams and Blunt get the job done.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    75
    The director, New Zealander Christine Jeffs ("Sylvia"), loosens the plotting as best she can, letting the interactions breathe. Her work, and the film, is strictly about the performers.
  6. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Connie Ogle
    75
    Its overall ability to balance humor and drama, attention to emotional detail and a few winning performances outweighs its maudlin tendencies.
  7. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    This bittersweet comedy is a fine showcase for a pair of distinctive and appealing talents.
  8. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    75
    Kudos to Clifton Collins Jr., who appears as a dispenser of cleaning products and common sense.
  9. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    75
    That Sunshine Cleaning was made by women is best revealed in the filmmakers' willingness to let the story breathe on its own terms, without bringing in anything extraneous, unwelcome and exciting.
  10. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Cammila Albertson
    75
    It's a solid depiction of a relatable story, and it's absolutely modest about all of it, especially stylistically, where things stay remarkably reeled in.
  11. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    75
    Dark humor intersperses with poignant moments. Though the conclusion feels forced, the movie works.
  12. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    75
    Perhaps the most compelling reason to see Sunshine Cleaning is the pairing of two of the best and most charismatic young actresses today.
  13. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Michael Sragow
    75
    Amy Adams beguiled audiences in "Junebug" and "Enchanted" and breathed humanity into the histrionic "Doubt." In the eccentric comedy-drama Sunshine Cleaning, set in the least picturesque parts of Albuquerque, N.M., she tops her own proven talent for epiphany.
  14. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    70
    Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are two highly attractive, naturally funny actresses on the cusp of stardom so their pairing here as two lost souls is genius.
  15. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    70
    Though this well-observed, wry drama is determined to be quirky, its most endearing quality, like that of its heroines, is a willingness to wallow in foul moods and come out the other side.
  16. Slate
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    70
    Alan Arkin virtually reprises his Oscar-winning role from "Little Miss Sunshine."
  17. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    70
    You'll miss out on some really great stuff if you don't see this surprising movie.
  18. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    67
    This peachcolored comedy about a wacky family who shove their sadness into a bulging closet is being marketed as ''from the producers of Little Miss Sunshine'' All that's missing from the formula is a Volkswagen Microbus.
  19. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    67
    Alan Arkin is charm itself as the girls' dreamy father. Indeed, director Christine Jeffs coaxes only good work from the whole of her cast.
  20. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    67
    The best thing to come out of Sunshine Cleaning is the confirmation that Adams, one of Hollywood's most delightful comediennes, is also capable of piercing drama.
  21. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    63
    An intelligent, often touching, sometimes pedestrian drama.
  22. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Olivia Putnal and Krista Soriano
    63
    This is definitely one to make you feel good all over.
  23. Empire
    Reviewed by: Angie Errigo
    60
    Could have been a little more darkly comic in places but the performances are superb.
  24. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    58
    There is a time and a place for scruffy independent also-rans like this, and that time and place is the 2 a.m. slot on IFC.
  25. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    50
    The material might have promise as a black comedy, but its attempt to put on a smiling face is unconvincing.
  26. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Rick Groen
    50
    It's like an elevated form of sitcom acting, which may be inevitable because this movie, and all its quirky/heartfelt kin, are an elevated version of the sitcom itself.
  27. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Josh Rosenblatt
    50
    Sunshine Cleaning doesn't exist in relation to the outside world but only to other movies. Its characters aren't human beings but cultural signifiers and indie-movie stereotypes created to survive in the laboratory safety of the festival circuit but never meant to actually walk the streets or talk to strangers.
  28. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    50
    How you'll feel about Sunshine Cleaning probably depends on your tolerance for slender, semi-hip comedic dramas about oddball families grappling with sometimes overwhelming problems.
  29. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Robert Wilonsky
    50
    More than a year after its first twirl at Sundance, this Amy Adams–Emily Blunt dramedy finally shrugs its way into theaters, and it feels almost like an afterthought.
  30. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    50
    Director Christine Jeffs, who previously helmed "Rain" and "Sylvia," tries to strike a balance between the yarn's dark currents and offbeat comedy, but the result is often uneasy, with the humor receding as things progress.
  31. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    40
    All in all, it's a mess, and much as Ms. Blunt pouts, Ms. Adams twinkles, and Mr. Arkin growls, there's nothing they can do to clean it up.
  32. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Dan Zak
    40
    A boring, choppy dramedy.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
  1. worleyjamers
    7
    Released as a highly anticipated feature at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and distributed by the producers of the acclaimed comedy, Little Miss Sunshine, everyone hoped Sunshine Cleaning would be brilliant. It is for those reasons that I think Sunshine Cleaning is not as liked as it should. I feel like because it was not as good as Little Miss Sunshine, viewers and critics unfairly judge the film. In doing so they missed out on a great movie experience. What I found in this film was a touching, emotional story fueled by a fantastic cast, and an indie flare that holds it all together. The story was so depressing, more depressing than I thought it would be. I imagined a comedy, but this film is most definitely a drama. The cast was absolutely fantastic. Amy Adams amazed me as I knew she would. She's my favorite actress and she does not disappoint here. She delivers a great performance, portraying multiple emotions and experiences so much. She was so convincing and I felt for her character through the whole film. Emily Blunt also gives a fantastic performance as the sister. She experiences similar things as her sister, but still the character required a special approach, and Blunt delivers. The combination of Adams and Blunt is incredible...and they're both so cute. I can't resist the two of them together. Alan Arkin also is convincing as the lonely father. His character could have been more developed, but I thought he did a very nice job. Supporting actors Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Clifton Collins Jr., also work nicely in the film. Great cast! I loved this film. I expected to like it, but I also was prepared for disappointment, but the movie delivered for me. I definitely think this film had opportunities to completely "hit it out of the park," but I still really really enjoyed it. I recommend this film!… Full Review »
  2. dev92
    6
    I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy this film but it is actually a very good film. It is warm-hearted and funny despite the obvious morbid surroundings and the main protagonist is easy to warm to due to her hard-working nature.… Full Review »
  3. tonyGreen
    7
    It has gravity but it's not overdone. Great performances from all the cast, but particularly Amy Adams. Not a lot happens, but there is a lot going on underneath.… Full Review »
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