Sugar - a Gaslamp Ball movie review

by matthewverygood on Mar 1, 2010 3:00 PM PST

After reading the less than glowing review of Open Road, I felt like it was time to share my thoughts on a baseball movie that's actually quite good. The movie is called Sugar and is about a young Dominican pitcher trying to make it to the Majors while dealing with a multitude of issues. It's definitely one of the best baseball movies of all time. Don't believe me? Well, let me try and convince you after the jump.

Sugar tells the tale of Miguel Santos (ably played by future star Algenis Perez Soto) aka "Sugar." He's a solid prospect for a fictional Kansas City franchise, working out of their facility in the Dominican Republic. On weekends, he goes home to his village where he's a bona fide celebrity. In front of the crowds and some of his friends, Sugar displays a hearty confidence and relishes his stardom, but behind the scenes with his family and girlfriend, he's just another young, vulnerable kid who wants to provide a better life for those he loves.

The filmmakers made a fantastic decision in presenting a side of the baseball world that is rarely seen. Aided by superb performances from every principal actor, it's impossible to not become fully engrossed in the story. We're right there with Sugar as he goes from the Dominican, to Spring Training, and then to Single-A ball in Iowa.

via i.usatoday.net

His journey takes many surprising turns and we learn a lot about the struggles that come with being a minor leaguer, especially one who can barely speak the language of the country. The cultural differences between the DR and Iowa are of course numerous, but Sugar soon partially adapts. One of the more touching moments of the film occurs when Sugar attempts to order eggs at a local diner.

As Bill Simmons said in his review, the film is "deeply affecting" and "brilliantly executed." Even if I wasn't a baseball fan, I still would love this movie. It is a smart and thought-provoking film. I emphatically place it in the elite group of Best Baseball Movies, right there with The Bad News Bears, The Sandlot, Bull Durham, and Major League.

Want to see Sugar? Go get it at Amazon or try a rent from Netflix.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Gaslamp Ball community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Gaslamp Ball managers or SB Nation.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good review.

I’ll be sure to check it out.

www.FriarsOnCardboard.blogspot.com
"jbox does not drink coffee, as it makes him clean house big time." ~Kev

by TheThinGwynn on Mar 1, 2010 3:13 PM PST reply actions

If Bill Simmons likes it, it cannot be good.

Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
Bolts From The Blue "There’s a gleam men. Let’s go get the gleam! Focus and Finish!!! One play at a time!!! Let's Go!!!"
it kind of reminds me of that movie "You've got mail"...I'm Tom Hanks he's Meg Ryan -- Padres prospect Matt Antonelli on sdsuaztec4

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Mar 1, 2010 3:31 PM PST reply actions

Get out

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you? ◔ヮ◔
Uncommon Sportsman :: Absurdity in play

by Axion on Mar 1, 2010 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

Sounds good.

I have had this in my netflix queue since it came out and Darren Smith interviewed the writer or director. I think I will bump it up in the queue now.

Thanks.

by goldfyngor on Mar 1, 2010 3:32 PM PST reply actions

I just returned my copy so maybe you'll get mine

twitter.com/matthewverygood

by matthewverygood on Mar 1, 2010 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

Did you mark it so I can tell?

Once in a while I get one with crud on the sleeve. Maybe that is how GLB’ers say hi to each other via netflix.

by goldfyngor on Mar 1, 2010 4:08 PM PST up reply actions

Me too. Glad to know it’s worth the watch.

by scout1222 on Mar 2, 2010 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

Totally agree

I loved this movie. Really, really good.

Thank you for waving at me.

by Winfield's Ghost on Mar 1, 2010 3:52 PM PST reply actions

Great flick

I really enjoyed it.

by sacpadre on Mar 1, 2010 4:02 PM PST reply actions

Hmmm... I remember seeing a preview for this and thinking it looked good.

I’m gonna have to see it now.

by theodore donald kerabatsos on Mar 1, 2010 4:41 PM PST reply actions

GLB Entertainment Correspondent matto619

by Drama on Mar 1, 2010 6:49 PM PST reply actions

Be careful if you're buying from amazon

The DVD version of the movie was toned down so as to be kiddie safe, though the Blu-ray edition retains the original R rating.

by dontkickthebaby on Mar 3, 2010 6:34 AM PST reply actions

Good point

Here’s the differences as laid out by DVD Talk

Worth noting: word is that Sugar has been re-cut from its original R rating to a PG-13 version for its standard-def release. While these alterations are certainly minimal (a few isolated profanities and a quick shot of a porn movie playing on a hotel television), the PG-13 version does not represent the film as it was released to theaters; its creation is apparently an attempt to open the film up to a family audience. At any rate, the good news is that the Blu-ray disc presents the film in its original, unaltered form.

twitter.com/matthewverygood

by matthewverygood on Mar 3, 2010 6:58 AM PST up reply actions