Sunshine Cleaning

Two sisters in a struggling Chicago suburb pool their grit and humor to change their fortunes by starting an unlikely business cleaning up after crimes and tragedies. Rose Lorkowski, a single mom determined to send her son to private school, takes on a string of odd cleaning jobs that others won’t touch, while her younger sister Norah brings quick wit and street smarts to the operation. As the sisters juggle bills, school choices, and the morally gray world of biohazard cleanup, they discover that this offbeat work can reveal strengths they didn’t know they had. The business becomes a lens on family, loyalty, and the stubborn hope that small acts can spark bigger changes. Its tone stays human throughout, always.

Directed by Christine Jeffs from an original screenplay by Megan Holley, Sunshine Cleaning arrived in 2008 as an offbeat drama with a comic edge, anchored by a strong duo of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt and a solid supporting cast.

With a modest budget of five million, the film grossed about 16.17 million worldwide, signaling solid returns for an indie dramedy. It found its strongest audiences in North America and performed steadily in select international markets worldwide in this release.

Critics tended to balance warmth with realism, praising the performances of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt as sisters who channel fear and frustration into practical grit. The film weighs class and family, showing how imperfect choices can still point toward growth and mutual respect, while humor arises from everyday missteps.

While not a blockbuster, Sunshine Cleaning contributed to the early 2000s wave of female-led indie dramas that mix humor with social realism. It is often cited for the chemistry between Adams and Blunt and its frank portrayal of working-class resilience. It resonates with audiences who appreciate quiet character studies globally.