Slashing The Seats

This is the latest effort from Little Miss Sunshine producers Big Beach, and as such it’s possible to forgive a little box ticking on their part as they try to recreate that breakout success. Alan Arkin’s role as a cranky huckster in particular sails a little too close to that movie, but luckily this is an altogether darker affair that boasts some well-conceived performances, offsetting its numerous sins.

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt star as two New Mexican sisters with an unusual business idea: A cleaning company specialising in grisly crime scenes.

The desperation to escape their mundane lives that sees them forming this enterprise is nicely underplayed and the energetic good humour with which they approach the job is a joy to watch. Adams in particular puts on a sparkling, nuanced show, balancing quiet despair with an upbeat, can-do attitude. Indeed, the two leads are so likable that it’s often difficult to believe that they would be in such dire straits to begin with – but the scripting is solid enough to make us believe how easily this can happen to the most popular girls in school, life leaving them stuck in a rut with their grumpy, oddball family members.

While the core is solid, however, we’re also forced to sit through several ker-azy sub plots that try far too hard to move things into indie-ville, their forced quirkiness ultimately distracting and annoying.

As they move from mopping up after motel shootings towards insurance company big bucks, the balance between laughs and darkness is sometimes off balance, things taking a darker turn as ill-advised relationships and trying to raise a young son take their toll on the strained relationships at the heart of things. Unfortunately, those subplots turn up again, meaning we’re eventually treated to some overtly complex exposition that results in a disappointing end.

That said, it’s an interesting, if try-hard movie that’s worth checking out for some excellent, subtle character acting – with special nods here to Clifton Collins Jr’s support, and a nice debut from writer Megan Holly.

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