Month: May 2019

Today’s quick review: Sunshine Cleaning. Rose (Amy Adams) and Nora (Emily Blunt), two sisters with dead-end jobs, decide to go into business for themselves as Sunshine Cleaning, a cleaning service specializing in crime scenes and hazardous waste. As the sisters learn the ropes of their new business, Rose works to raise her son with the help of her father (Alan Arkin), while Nora grieves for the mother she lost as a child.

Sunshine Cleaning is a slice-of-life comedy with an unusual premise and a poignant tone. The film follows Rose and Nora in the daily struggles of their lives, from Rose’s affair with Mac (Steve Zahn), an old flame who married someone else, to Nora’s attempts to connect with Lynn (Mary Lynn Rajskub), the daughter of a woman who passed away. In spite of their setbacks and disappointments, the movie never loses its sense of quiet optimism.

Sunshine Cleaning’s greatest strength is its characters. Rose and Nora are fleshed out in considerable detail, a pair of sisters with complementary personalities and realistic issues. Rose is the responsible older sister, preoccupied with finding work, managing her personal relationships, and raising her son. Nora is her younger sister, a free spirit who has difficulty holding down a job and lingering scars from her mother’s death years before.

Sunshine Cleaning has little in the way of plot. Instead, the story has the undirected ebb and flow of real life. Rose and Nora experience the same mixture of success and failure as anyone else, and the film follows them through the twists and turns in the various aspects of their lives. The benefit of this approach is a grounded story and relatable characters. However, the story lacks the fixed direction and tidy arcs of other fiction.

Sunshine Cleaning also has little in the way of overt humor. Its comedy arises naturally from the quirks of its characters and their interactions. Instead of canned punchlines, Sunshine Cleaning focuses on cultivating a light, sentimental tone. The sisters’ business gives them an intimate look at the lives of strangers, but the film does a skillful job of tempering drama with comedy and tragedy with hope.

Give Sunshine Cleaning a watch if you’re interested in an understated comedy with well-drawn characters and plenty of heart. Sunshine Cleaning misses out on the payoffs afforded by sharper humor and a richer plot, but its charm lets it carve out a worthwhile niche for itself for the right viewer. For a more elaborate comedy with a similar tone, check out Little Miss Sunshine. For a comedy from Wes Anderson with similar themes, try The Darjeeling Limited.

6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for rich characters and a satisfying blend of levity and meaning.

Today’s quick review: U-571. During World War II, a crippled German U-boat presents the Allies with a rare shot at one of the Enigma machines used to encrypt German radio transmissions. An American submarine commanded by Mike Dahlgren (Bill Paxton) is sent to capture the German sub and retrieve the Enigma device. The success of the mission depends on Andy Tyler (Matthew McConaughey), a young lieutenant eager for his first command.

U-571 is a naval thriller that depicts the American efforts to capture the Enigma machine during World War II. The uncertain nature of submarine warfare lends itself well to the film’s tense naval battles, where bravery, resourcefulness, and a hefty dose of luck are required to survive. Dahlgren and Tyler are forced into a series of ploys and desperate measures when their mission doesn’t go as smoothly as planned.

Apart from its climactic battles, U-571 also tries to capture the personal side of war. Andy Tyler wants command but is unprepared for the difficult choices it requires. His men are young and ill-equipped for the close-quarters fighting their mission requires. The magnitude of what they are trying to do and the tenuous nature of the success are driven home by the script itself and a fairly capable dramatic cast.

However, U-571 falls short of its ambitions. The drama it sets up has potential, but the film never quite figures out how to cash in on it. Rather than complement each other, the plot and the characters fight for the same screen time. What should be rich character arcs are merely sketched out, depriving the story of some of its emotional payoff. The plot also has pacing issues brought about by its long setup and sharp twists.

As a result, U-571 is a competent thriller that does not rise to the level of its peers. U-571 has enough to offer in terms of drama and tension to make for a satisfying watch. Fans of war movies or naval combat should give it a watch for its story and its action alike. But those hoping for a fuller realization of its potential may be more impressed with The Hunt for Red October, Dunkirk, or Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a tense plot and solid acting, lacking the depth and cohesion of other war movies.

Today’s quick review: The Thin Man. When a scientist goes missing, his daughter Dorothy (Maureen O’Sullivan) implores Nick Charles (William Powell), a retired detective and a friend of the familiy, to locate him. Nick refuses at first, preferring to spend his retirement entertaing with his wife Nora (Myrna Loy). But when the missing scientist’s secretary is murdered, casting suspicion on him, Nick agrees to take the case.

The Thin Man is a classic crime comedy based on a novel by Dashiell Hammett. The film is a murder mystery with a comedic twist: Nick and Nora Charles are a pair of easygoing socialites who treat the case with the same nonchalance as everything else. William Powell and Myrna Loy make a fantastic couple, and their perpetual banter forms the core of the movie. They are backed by a witty script and a fairly involved mystery for a plot.

The Thin Man’s greatest draw is its leads. Nick and Nora Charles have a unique dynamic that makes them a delight to watch. Their relationship is built on booze, wit, and an unshakable, if largely unspoken, foundation of love and trust. Their friendly ribbing is the highlight of the film, a thoroughly enjoyable mixture of verbal sparring and cooperation. Their supporting cast complements them well, filling out the more serious roles in the plot.

The mystery side of the movie is generally satisfying, but it has a few drawbacks. Dorothy’s missing father makes for a strong plot hook, and his family and associates makes for a long list of suspects when the murdering starts. However, the film’s pacing is peculiar. Nick and Nora themselves are late to the party, and while the investigation goes through several stages, there are fewer twists than the lengthy setup would suggest.

The Thin Man is a refreshing blend of comedy and mystery, ably written and excellently performed. Its plot is a little less substantial than the usual noir fare, and its setup, though interesting, delays the arrival of its stars. But these factors are easy to overlook in favor of the movie’s substantial strengths, making The Thin Man a worthwhile watch for any fan of the classics. Skip it if you’re looking for blunt comedy, slapstick, or a tense thriller.

8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a good plot and a phenomenal pair of leads.