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Movie Review: "Sugar"

via swipelife.com

Every baseball fan should see "Sugar". After a limited theatrical release this spring, the DVD will be out on September 1 and I was lucky enough to get sent an advance copy for review. Written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who did "Half Nelson" in 2006, this film is well worth your time.

The basic story line is simple: Miguel "Sugar" Santos is a 19-year-old pitching prospect from the Dominican Republic who is attending a baseball academy run by the fictional Kansas City Knights (obviously based on the Royals). After being taught a knuckle curve by an older Dominican mentor, he gets on the fast track to spring training.

That's where the storyline gets deeper and richer. We learn much about Sugar's family and way of life in the DR and see exactly how so many families there hope and wish and dream of a better life when they have sons with baseball talent.

Sugar does exceptionally well in spring training (you'll recognize the Oakland A's facilities at Papago Park and Phoenix Municipal Stadium if you've been there) and is assigned to "Bridgetown", the Knights' low-A affiliate in Bridgetown, Iowa. The city is fictional, but the team's home park is clearly John O'Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa (visible ads on the stadium outfield walls promote businesses in Davenport), and the team is even called the Swing, which was the name the current Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League used from 2004-2007.

Star-divide

And that's when his dream begins to fall apart. Sugar (you'll learn his nickname has nothing to do with his baseball ability) is hosted by a family on a farm in Iowa who speaks virtually no Spanish; since he speaks almost no English (despite classes given in English for ballplayers at the academy), it limits how he can communicate in this land so alien to him. There's only one other Dominican on the team, and though Sugar pitches well at first, some very realistic (in baseball terms) things happen that cause Sugar to question his goals, even while trying to make his family think he's still pursuing them. He's lonely and isolated and it begins to affect his performance on the field.

I found both the acting and the baseball action (including the actions of fans in the stands) much more real than in most baseball films; the on-field play in particular is quite good in "Sugar", as opposed to the typical baseball movie where we watch actors like Kevin Costner attempting to impersonate major league players. There's a funny scene where the local radio broadcaster attempts to interview Sugar about a good game he's just thrown, and his catcher translates the questions and answers -- but not exactly the way they were actually spoken. Quite a number of major league players, past and present, were enlisted to accomplish all of this realism; ex-Cincinnati Red Jose Rijo is listed as "baseball consultant" in the credits, but others, including Jesus Alou, Junior Noboa and current Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch also contributed to making this baseball movie very true-to-life.

It also helps you understand the struggles and conflicts of young men who come to a country that is so different from their own, and how only the best of the best survive to become an Aramis Ramirez or Vladimir Guerrero (who was painfully shy and spoke virtually no English when he first came to the USA).

Get this DVD when it becomes available and watch this film. Highly recommended.

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Looking forward to seeing it.

I may save it for winter when I start going through my annual baseball withdrawl.

The Knights is also the name of the team in “The Natural” although I believe it was the New York Knights. The family farm in Iowa, may be a nod to “Field of Dreams.”

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 25, 2009 8:21 AM CDT reply actions  

I just became depressed

thinking about the winter withdrawl.

That being said, it was nice to have a break from the Cubs, last two weeks have been tough.

Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air...

by slocs55 on Aug 25, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions  

I remember seeing previews for this

when it was in the theaters. I just never was able to make it out to see it. Definitely looks to be an interesting movie.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Aug 25, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions  

I saw this movie in the theater.

I thought it was very well done and had some funny moments, but from a strictly personal standpoint, I didn’t like it. I’d give it a good rating, but I wouldn’t want to see it again, if that makes any sense.

Good pitching beats good hitting, and vice versa.

by tibbelkrunk on Aug 25, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions  

Same Reaction

Without giving anything away, it actually is kind of depressing. It is believeable, but there are undertones of a political message and Sugar’s behavior doesn’t completely make sense.

by 08Cubs on Aug 25, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions  

I thought so at first too.

But then thinking about some of the things he was told at the academy, and what actually happened, it does make sense.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

There was a FanShot about another movie like this a few months ago. I can't seem to search for it, though,

because I do not remember the title of the film.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 25, 2009 9:39 AM CDT reply actions  

you could search for "film" or "movie"

Maybe that would help you find that.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions  

Can't wait to see this movie...

I only live about a half hour from Modern Woodmen (John O’Donnell to us older guys)… so I’ve spent a lot of time there. I really am intrigued by the storyline of this film, so Al, your good review, coupled with my interest and personal connection to the filming, has me really excited to see this movie.

by Fonzie2178 on Aug 25, 2009 11:04 AM CDT reply actions  

I saw a trailer for this film recently...

…though, for the life of me, I can’t remember where. In any case, it sounds like a good movie (unhappy endings don’t scare me away). I’d hope MLB Network picks it up during the off-season.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Aug 25, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions  

Saw it on a plane

back from France. I was quite surprised that they would show this low-budget indi.

Well-written, imo.

Also, without giving much away, I really liked the pacing as well as the idea that “success” and “happiness”, can mean different things – or may come out differently than expected.

by The E-Man on Aug 25, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions  

Glad you finally saw it

Al knows I am a purist and think films should be seen in theaters with an audience. I thought it was fine film but really last steam in last part.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 25, 2009 1:27 PM CDT reply actions  

I saw this movie

I’ve also seen this movie. Having been to the Dominican Republic and seen some of the places where these players actually grew up, the film was true to what they have — or don’t, as the case is. The English the guys are taught has nothing to do with everyday life, only on field, and it is obvious in one scene that Sugar was only repeating what he had been told without understanding what he was saying. He does finally get it.

Later on there’s a great scene in the kitchen with the host family where you see how quickly he does learn English.

I highly recommend this film. It made me have a little more respect for the young guys who are coming over and know nothing but baseball.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Aug 25, 2009 2:40 PM CDT reply actions  

Yeah...

…I saw this in the theatre as well, with… oh, three other people in the same viewing. It definitely came and went…

Still, I thought it was great. I plan on buying it as soon as it comes out; this is one of those baseball movies that belongs in everybodies collection right next to Major League, The Natural, and Bull Durham.

Rickey has spoken. Keep the Athletics in Bump City.

by LeSaboteur on Aug 25, 2009 3:58 PM CDT reply actions  

After this review

I’ll definitely go an give this a try.

Monopoly, twenty-one, checkers, and chess...

by Buzz on the Moon on Aug 25, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions  

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