You are My Sunshine

Many critics will probably proclaim Sunshine Cleaning "this season's Little Miss Sunshine." Yes, the similarities abound: a cranky grandfather played by Alan Arkin? Check. An adorable child that's wiser than their years? Check. A broken down van that helps bring a down-on-their-luck family together? Check. While there is a lot in common with 2006's Oscar darling, Sunshine Cleaning is a heartwarming dramedy that stands on its own.

The film follows Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams), a struggling single mother, who's life is a mess. She's having an affair with a married cop (Steve Zahn), she's pretending to take real estate classes, and she can barely make ends meet working as a maid. However, she catches a break when she starts her own crime-scene cleanup company. In her quest to become the queen of biohazard disposal she enlists the help of her younger, angry-at-the-world sister Nora (Emily Blunt). The two cheerfully (and hilariously) begin cleaning up after Albuquerque's recently departed while Rose's illegitimate son, Oscar (Jason Spevack) -- there's an amusing subplot involving the b-word-- and father (Alan Arkin) spend quality time together since Oscar "is too smart" for public school.

Sunshine Cleaning is not a perfect film. A subplot involving 24's Mary Lynn Rajskub as the daughter of one of Rose and Nora's "clients" feels forced and unnecessary. Arkin's character also seems underutilized -- he's mainly there for quick one-liners that act as a diversion. However, Adams shines as the films heroine while Blunt does her best to steal the show.

While Little Miss Sunshine was hailed as a terrific ensemble, Sunshine Cleaning is the Amy Adams show. Since her Oscar-nominated debut in Junebug, Adams has done an excellent job of choosing roles that showcase different sides of the trademark innocence. In fact, Sunshine Cleaning may be her best performance on screen. She infuses Rose with vulnerability and warmth, which make her impossible to root against. Blunt also continues to impress as Nora, but it's impossible to overlook Adams each time she's on screen.

Sunshine Cleaning may not be groundbreaking or original, but two fantastic performances by two of Hollywood's fastest rising stars, make it memorable.

Grade: B+