"Sunshine Cleaning" (2009) is probably most like "Tender Mercies" (1983) and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed that film. But it is not quite as pure and restrained in its storytelling techniques; there are several visual flashbacks and bit of "Junebug" (2006) cuteness but these departures do not really get it the way (at least in part because the flashbacks are done so well). The promo material emphasizes "funny and gently heartbreaking" but don't get the film expecting to see a comedy. There are a few tension relieving black comedy moments in the style of "Breaking Bad" (coincidently Tess Harper of "Tender Mercies" plays Jesse's mother on that series). But mostly it is just portrayals of very wounded people trying keep it together enough to function in the world.The film does include an awesome and extremely unusual climatic sequence about 10 minutes before the actual ending. Just as things seem darkest, Rose (Amy Adams) and Norah (Emily Blunt) unexpectedly get to see their dead mother's appearance in an old made-for-TV movie that they have until then only heard exists. This film within a film sequence is amazingly moving as the editor cuts between three actresses who look so alike in features and complexions that the customary suspension of disbelief is unnecessary.Rose is a single mom desperate for money after her impulsive 7-year-old son is thrown out of his elementary school. Life has beaten her up and been downhill for her since high school. A chronic need for validation has her trapped in a one-way affair with Mac, her high-school boyfriend (Steve Zahn in a nicely restrained performance), who fathered her son but married someone else. Rose's younger sister, Norah, is a party hard slacker still living with her father and still traumatized by her mother's suicide when Norah was a little girl.Mac (a police detective) tips the two sisters to a business opportunity cleaning up messy crime scenes. The business gives Rose validation and allows her to break off the relationship with Mac. It gives Norah glimpses into the lives of other troubled families (they clean up a lot of suicides), she connects with their pain but has to learn that pain is a very individual thing.Credit the success of this film to Adams and Blunt, who became close friends during this production; this translated into a an effortless believability in their portrayal of the dynamic between two sisters (it has simply never been done better).The other inspired element involves Winston (Clifton Collins), a one-armed janitorial supply store owner. He baby-sits Rose's son and is a resource for Rose as she tracks up the learning curve of her new business. Collins gently teases this role and transcends a script that is otherwise a little too sunny.The DVD includes an excellent commentary special feature in which the writer and the producer discuss the dynamics of adapting the original script and producing the film. These are typically extremely lame but this one is very well done and quite useful.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.