Sunshine Cleaning

I wasn't really sure what to expect from the movie Sunshine Cleaning, but it turned out to be one of the best movies I've seen in a while. The movie deals with some tough topics, including single motherhood, financial struggles, affairs/unrequited love, and family relationships. Though Rose starts out as a fragile, hurting woman, she recognizes her potential and her desire is to show others what she can do- including standing up to the man who is using her. Her sister, Norah, is my favorite character. She pulls off a tougher appearance than Rose, but is just as fragile in some ways. Despite their struggles, both sisters pull through hard times and show that there is more to women than filling in society's standards of popularity and beauty. There are not enough movies with strong female characters, and Sunshine Cleaning was very refreshing in its portrayal of women.

Emily Blunt, who played Norah, is now one of my favorite actresses- I loved that in this movie she was not the stereotypical "pretty" girl, but had a darker edge to her which made her character that much more appealing. If anyone knows of any other good Emily Blunt movies, please let me know!