There are jobs that you may realize are necessary but you just don’t seem to think about anyone actually doing them. You intellectually accept the fact that the position exists but never met anyone so employed. Take the ever popular Inspector 6 whose tags are be found in our underwear. How many people know anybody who earns a living that way? I doubt there are many people who have not seen a detective show on television or murder mystery in the movies. The detectives and CSI scientists go over every tiny detail of the crime scene searching for incriminating clues. What few of us think about is who cleans up the bloody mess after the police leave. Since blood and other biological materials are typically all over the place there are biological dangers that preclude just calling a standard cleaning crew. At this point you require a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service. Such a quirky profession holds a lot of potential as the foundation of a movie and now it’s time has come with ‘Sunshine Cleaners’. The film was given a lot of hype especially surrounding the fact that it was made by the same Production team as the mega hit ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and for the most part this movie rises to those high expectations. Thankfully there is no connection between the films or attempts to create a strange ‘Sunshine’ franchise on audiences. The film starts out on a premise that usually would be conducive to situational humor nut what helps to make this one work as well as it does is how expertly to uses those funny situations as a spring board into a character study. The audience’s attention is quickly grabbed by the setting but what keeps you engaged is how you become emotionally invested with the characters, the film may make a few missteps along the way but ultimately it is able to deliver.

There is an honest that pervades this film that surely originates with the cast and crew; it is a story of two women and the fact that it was written, directed and stars very talented women the result is a believable and sincere narrative that does not get bogged down in a quagmire of Hollywood stereotypes. Authoring the screenplay was Megan Holley. This s her initial time with a script doing a remarkable job of blending drama and comedy proving a captivating story. It is relatable; members of both genders will readily identify with the plight of the character and perhaps come to some understanding of the offbeat solution. Holley has hit upon something in her first script that many screen writers take ages to understand. No matter how strange the situation becomes the audience will respond favorably if they can see part of themselves reflected in the characters. Most of us don’t cleanup crime scenes for a living but we have taken unusual jobs to make ends meet or provide for our families. Holley also demonstrates some respect for the audience by providing just enough of the back story to help explain why the two lead characters are so emotionally damaged but she doesn’t dwell on the matter; instead acknowledging it and moving on.

Directing this film is another talented woman on the rise in her career; Christine Jeffs. She has two prior work, both quite noteworthy; ‘Rain’ and ‘Sylvia’. They are not exactly films you would describe as ‘feel good movies’ but did supply an undeniable dramatic punch. It is difficult for a director, especially a relatively new one, to take on the hybrid genre comedy-drama. To do it correctly the director has to possess a fine control of the demonstrated emotions playing the audience to illicit the desired response. Jeffs is certainly close to mastering this although in this piece some of the emotional transitions feel too abrupt and a bit contrived. Fortunately, this doesn’t overwhelm the heart of the work and the overall presentation of the excellent performances. It is vital for telling a story such as this to avoid the new director temptation to over direct. Jeffs is wise enough to let the actors interpret the screenplay and tell the story.

Life certainly didn’t turn out for Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) the way she had expected. In high school she was captain of the cheerleaders, popular and her life seemed well on track. As John Lennon once noted ‘Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans and for Rose she is now in her thirties and a single mother. Her eight-year-old son Oscar (Jason Spevack) is perpetually getting into trouble at school and Rose has to find some way to afford sending him to private school. The father of the boy married someone else but Rose is still having an affair with him so at least some of her woes are due to bad choices. He can’t help financially but he does advise Rose to start a business cleaning up messy crime scenes. She takes the advice and together with her lay about sister Norah (Emily Blunt) forms Sunshine Cleaners. One of the reasons the young women are dysfunctional goes back to their childhood when their mother took her own life. Now they have to deal with people in the aftermath of violence and tragedy.

This film hinges on the performances and works so well because they are top notch. The two leading ladies are quickly become actresses to watch as they hone their craft. Adams has the combination of gently beauty, angelic singing voice and near perfect comic timing. She has already proven her veracity appearing in light musical comedy (‘Enchanted’ to dark drama (Doubt). In this film she carries the story with a realist style that is amazing to watch. Her co-star, Ms Blunt, has been paying dues with support role and it is great to see her given more to showcase her abilities.

The film is available in both Blu-ray and standard DVD but if possible go high def, the color balance is perfection and accompanied by audio that realistically fills the room.