Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

DPMovieReviewSunshineCleaning
What’s it about?


After her son is removed from school, a mom begins an unusual business of biohazard removal/crime scene clean up service with her enigmatic and unreliable sister. Through her desperation and operation of the business she learns more about herself, her son, her father, and that life is indeed the messy business.

Who is in it?

Amy Adams – Rose Lorkowski

Emily Blunt – Norah Lorkowski

Alan Arkin – Joe Lorkowski

Jason Spevack – Oscar Lorkowski



Favorite Scene


Rose attends a baby shower for a friend from her high school days. As she attempts to impress her friends from high school who are expecting greats things from the former head cheerleader, Rose, who struggles with self confidence, realizes that although what she does may not be impressive to her friends, it was valuable in what really matters in life.

Favorite Quote:

Rose: Since 1963?
Alan: Yeah, it gives a sense of stability. People like that.
Rose: It’s a lie.
Alan: It’s a business lie. It’s different from a life lie.
Rose: [laughs] OK, I can live with that.

Review:

Sunshine Cleaning is a film that is another example that well-thought out independent films are much better than high-budget glitzy productions. Sunshine cleaning is a movie that connects with the majority of its viewers due to it’s realism, genuine issues, and authentic situations.

From Rose who is attempting to straighten out her life, to her sister, Emily, who is unreliable with no direction, who suddenly finds a connection of coping and appreciation for her mom after her suicide, to Alan who is a crazy father, and Rose’s son, Oscar, who is as imaginative as they come, Sunshine Cleaning depicts a family learning about life, and most importantly, learning about their desires to connect with one another.

A film that is entertaining, funny, and thought-provoking with real characters, great dialogue, and better actors that bring it through. 90 minutes that will most certainly not disappoint.

Grade: 3.5/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Knicks Postseason 2026, NBA Finals vs. San Antonio Spurs

Part of me is in disbelief that we are here...the other part is raging and ready to go. Four more wins! Let's. GO! So much of this NBA Finals feels poetic, historical, and dream-worthy, for so many reasons, to so many different parties. This includes the NBA office. I'm sure they are loving this matchup for their biggest stage.  While defeating the Spurs does exercise some demons from 1999, I'm not sure I care about that at all. As noted from my thoughts in the Eastern Conference Finals, at this point, just win. Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Review Thoughts from Eastern Conference Finals Just. Win.  I don't care who the opponent is. The narrative that comes with it, or how we do it.  Just. Win. The NBA Cup win seems like whiteboard material for them, yet a serving example for us to match up with them. Again, it doesn't matter. Both teams are completely different beasts since November, through growth and experience.  This all comes down to...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 6/7/26

Artificial Intelligence in K-12 This week, I had the opportunity to talk to two dads who work in K-12 education. One is a teacher, and the other is a tech engineer who provides the digital infrastructure for a school district. What I came away with was that artificial intelligence was being slowly integrated into teachers' everyday lives, with some restrictions. However, the tech engineer gave me real insight (with real-time laptop evidence) of some of the tools being built to automate everything from bus schedules and communications to medical visits and disciplinary processes.  All of that to say, just when you think you understand the power of A.I., there are so many levels to it all .  So many... Sports Media Space With the recent run of my New York Knicks (you can see my comments after every game), what I have come to realize wholeheartedly, and also appreciate, is that so much of the sports media know very little about the topics they discuss daily.  No, really....