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

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 1, 2023

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

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 18, 2023

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

| Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 29, 2020

If you adored Little Miss Sunshine, Sunshine Cleaning will probably charm you too - but only if you have a taste for movies whose dark and bittersweet coating hides a slightly gooey, feel-good soft centre.

| Nov 22, 2020

A tremendously moving, heartfelt, and humorous film.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 24, 2020

Despite it's cloudy undertones, Sunshine Cleaning will bring a ray of sunshine to even the darkest day.

| Nov 15, 2019

Touching on universally recognisable themes of grief, trust and ambition, all wrapped up in those binding family ties, the film retains an intensely personal focus thanks to its small town setting... and those pitch-perfect performances.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 30, 2019

Another assured and thoroughly enjoyable film from the very talented Christine Jeffs, and well worth a gander.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 29, 2019

Mr. Zahn brings feeling to an often-cliched role, while Mary Lynn Rajskub is moving as a troubled woman who almost connects with the similarly confused Norah.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 10, 2018

This low-key, authentic-feeling drama with touches of comedy stars effervescent Adams, scene-stealing Emily Blunt and reliably crusty Alan Arkin as their dad.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 18, 2018

SunShine Cleaning is a lovely little film that's more gallows than humor.

| Sep 18, 2017

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...

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 12, 2017

Sunshine Cleaning a compelling and thoroughly adult picture, boasting an original plot and, in Adams and Blunt, two of the most talented young actresses working today.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 29, 2012

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

| Original Score: 1/6 | Nov 16, 2011

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, two fine actresses, get the opportunity to glow in strong lead roles as complex, emotionally fractured females who work hard to earn your respect -- and reclaim their own.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 29, 2011

New directions in chick flicks: dried arterial blood sprays, maggots, and heart tugs.

| Aug 16, 2011

Sunshine Cleaning is a decent film, especially if you already like this sort of thing, with a lot of subtlety and a desire to represent actual human beings without demonizing or beatifying any of them.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 30, 2011

Well worth a look for those who aren't too disillusioned with the post-Juno Indie film scene.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 1, 2011

Sunshine Cleaning, like numerous American films at present, independent and commercial alike, flirts with social reality-alternately approaching, veering away from, touching upon and avoiding it.

| Jul 6, 2010

This is a flick about two women who go into the business of cleaning up crime scenes. Somebody should be hired to clean up the mess of a script for "Sunshine Cleaning".

| Jan 4, 2010