Sugar

Name: Sugar
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: April 3, 2009
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Algenis Perez Soto

2009

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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Sugar

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO Films | Release Date: April 3, 2009 | R

Starring: Algenis Perez Soto

Summary: Sugar follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Sugar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro De Macorís, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States’Sugar follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Sugar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro De Macorís, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States’ minor league system; but when his play on the mound falters, he begins to question the single-mindedness of his life’s ambition. (Sony Pictures Classics)… Expand

Director: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ann Hornaday

A film of rare intelligence, beauty and compassion. Read full review

100

Claudia Puig

Sugar is that sweetest of films: A sensitive and memorable story that surprises at every turn. Read full review

100

A.O. Scott

It is both sad and hopeful, but the film's sorrow and its optimism arise from its rarest and most thrilling quality, which is its deep and humane honesty. Read full review

Shawn Levy

There's quality, wit and emotion throughout. Read full review

Dana Stevens

The most remarkable thing Sugar does is give American viewers a sense of how our country must seem to a newly arrived immigrant, without caricaturing or condescending to either guest or host. Read full review

J.R. Jones

This is a drama of shifting values and compromised ideals, arriving at a view of life that's wise, complicated, and tinged with melancholy. Read full review

Kimberley Jones

Sugar is a curiosity – too somber for a picaresque, too arm's-length for much emotional effect – and while it's interesting, it's never truly absorbing. Read full review

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User Reviews

MarkP

Apr 24, 2009

A superb, engaging, cliche busting film that is about far more than baseball. Excellent performances from non-pros, marvelous cinematography. One of the best little films of the year.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

dragonpenchant

May 29, 2009

Utterly fantastic. breaks formula without trying too hard. transcends stereotypes and totally gets baseball right.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

paigeg

Sep 1, 2009

Brilliant film, engaging and beautifully filmed. Also worth seeing though so the doc Road to the Big Leagues as it is the real story!

1 of 1 users found this helpful

RyanD

Sep 1, 2009

Was shocked they had this movie in my local Redbox. It did not disappoint. The acting is phenomenal, and the emotion is raw. The script had me constantly guessing what would happen next. A real, honest examination of life, its many paths, and the choices we make.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

PatG

Apr 10, 2009

I have no interest in baseball, and I thought this was an engaging movie. The human interest story is rich and thought-provoking. All of you who have no interest in baseball, fear not! This movie is well worth your time. And those who love baseball will get a double reward from the sports I have no interest in baseball, and I thought this was an engaging movie. The human interest story is rich and thought-provoking. All of you who have no interest in baseball, fear not! This movie is well worth your time. And those who love baseball will get a double reward from the sports and the life. It does give an intriguing look at the immigrant experience, among other riches. I highly recommend it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

judyby

Apr 22, 2009

I applaud the fact that this film forces us to decide what is won and what is lost in this story. The character of Sugar is rich, complex and hits just the right notes. The Christian granddaughter plot doesn't carry its own weight, I'd edit. A little backstory on what happened to I applaud the fact that this film forces us to decide what is won and what is lost in this story. The character of Sugar is rich, complex and hits just the right notes. The Christian granddaughter plot doesn't carry its own weight, I'd edit. A little backstory on what happened to Sugar's father was needed. And, my final question: Was Mrs. Higgins supposed to be Susan Sarandon from Bull Durham in her later years?? Then a few scenes were DEFINITELY missing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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