6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Once the high school cheerleading captain who dated the quarterback, Rose Lorkowski now finds herself a thirty something single mother working as a maid. Her sister Norah is still living at home with their dad Joe, a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get rich quick schemes. Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and other...specialized situations. As they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find a true respect for one another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. By building their own improbable business, Rose and Norah open the door to the joys and challenges of being there for one another -- no matter what -- while creating a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family.
Starring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevack, Steve ZahnComedy | 100% |
Drama | 74% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
You are strong. You are powerful. You can do anything. You are a winner.
Originality. It's not a word that's often associated with motion pictures in this era of sequels,
prequels, remakes, and scripts yanked from the pages of a comic book or novel, but it fits the
independent
Sunshine Cleaning rather well. Constructed around a novel concept that allows a family to
come to grips with a past that they've placed behind them but not yet come to terms with,
Sunshine Cleaning tells a moving story that's not overly sentimental but instead just
poignant enough in its delivery of its more subtle themes that offer sound messages on the
importance of love, friendship, trust, faith, and family. Neither a tear-jerker nor a routine Comedy,
Sunshine Cleaning is a rare experience that offers everything in just the right proportions
and leaves the viewer feeling satisfied but not at all overwhelmed with the experience. Constructed
around an easygoing directorial style and several standout performances, Sunshine
Cleaning makes for yet another first-rate independently-minded moviegoing experience.
It could be worse...maybe.
Blu-ray puts the spit-and-polish on a top-notch 1080p, 2.39:1-framed transfer of Sunshine Cleaning. Colors sparkle throughout the film's brighter segments with a rich, natural appearance. The image remains consistently sharp and deep throughout, with both the foreground and the background exhibiting superb clarity and top-notch levels of detail that rival some of the very best images yet found on Blu-ray. Textures are wonderful throughout; many scenes bring the imagery to deep, three-dimensional life, though again not quite as perfect as the best the format has to offer, for instance The International. Some darker interior shots, such as a school conference in chapter three, don't enjoy quite the same level of crispness, clarity and color saturation as the exterior daytime scenes, but they do appear to remain true to the source. Black levels are superb, flesh tones retain a true-to-life shade throughout, and the transfer features no visible blemishes but does come with a thin veneer of grain that puts the finishing touches on what is a superb 1080p transfer from Starz.
Sunshine Cleaning comes to Blu-ray with a paltry but suitable Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Not the sort of mix to test the limits of any sound system, Sunshine Cleaning features a reserved track that's dialogue-heavy and boasts a fair sense of environmental ambience. Said dialogue is delivered naturally throughout, with no problems to report in discernibility and clarity. The front speakers carry what's left of the track; there's a palpable lack of rear-channel presence, but then again this isn't the sort of movie that lends itself to an all-out sonic attack, either. Atmospherics are good throughout; chirping birds and barking dogs are often heard in the distance, such nuances bringing the track to life. Music plays with the expected level of crispness and clarity across the front half of the soundstage. There's not much else to discuss with this one. It's a basic Comedy/Drama soundtrack that gets the job done and delivers all it has to offer with the utmost in clarity and realism. It's no great shakes, but it's not a letdown in any regard, either.
Sunshine Cleaning features only two extras of note. First up is a commentary track with Writer Megan Holley and Producer Glenn Williamson. The two deliver a fine but unremarkable commentary track, recalling how the project came about, shooting locations, the advice gleaned form a real-life crime scene clean-up outfit, the work of the ensemble cast, the emotional themes of the film, and more. Sunshine Cleaning: A Fresh Look at a Dirty Business (1080i, 11:17) is an all-too-short piece that recalls the basic plot line and features interview segments with cast, crew, and, primarily, a real-life biohazard recovery duo discussing what makes the film both real and funny and the effort that goes into cleaning up messes in the real world. Also included is BD-Live functionality and 1080p trailers for Sunshine Cleaning, Henry Poole is Here, The Visitor, and Sleepewalking.
Sunshine Cleaning's most remarkable feature is how unremarkable and understated it is. That's not to say that it's not a good movie or has nothing more than its superficial plot to offer; quite the opposite. In fact, its ability to weave a somewhat complex tale with a charming simplicity is what makes it work, and its understated nature serves it well. Supported by a collection of equally understated but nevertheless genuine and effective performances, as well as steady direction from Christine Jeffs, Sunshine Cleaning is another standout independent feature from Starz/Anchor Bay/Overture. Likewise, the Blu-ray release is of the high quality format aficionados should now expect from Starz. Boasting a pristine 1080p transfer and a reserved but perfectly effective lossless soundtrack, the disc is technically sound. Unfortunately, there aren't many extras to speak of, but Sunshine Cleaning nevertheless comes recommended based on the strength of the film and its technical presentation.
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