It’s odd seeing the usually glamorous pairing of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt as struggling sisters trying to cope with an eccentric father and messy personal lives. Although the plot does meander through to a predictable conclusion, you are never less than utterly drawn into their world and in return the two leads give superb performances proving just why they are amongst the best actors working in Hollywood today.

Adams and Blunt were last seen in Doubt and Young Victoria respectively (we’re trying hard to forget about Night at the Museum, so no need to bring that up) giving great performances in weighty costume dramas. Sunshine Cleaning in its own way is just as weighty, with the contemporary nature of the characters making this arguably more appealing. Norah’s ‘emo’ infused depression and Rose’s struggles to bring up her son whilst trying to maintain a relationship with a married man might pain broad strokes with our expectations but eventually the story focuses on the fractured relationship between the siblings. This is the core strength of the film, especially when overseen by Arkin’s caring but erratic family patriarch.

It could have been much ado about nothing, yet the screenplay (by first-timer Megan Holley) manages to find emotion in the most unlikely manner. Even more surprising is the dark humour which runs through the story but never seems out of place. The ending (which we won’t ruin) does a great job of wrapping things up with the film never feeling too long or dragging in some of its quieter moments.

Rating: ****

Review by Cassam Looch