SUGAR

Directed By: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck

Review By: Kim Jindra

SUGAR is an uncompromising look at the world of professional baseball through the eyes of one young player from the Dominican Republic.  It starts with Sugar, played convincingly by Algenis Perez, working hard at an academy owned by the Kansas City team.  When Sugar attracts the attention of a scout he is soon on his way to spring training in Arizona much to the delight of his family and village.

His dedication to his sport pays off and he is soon off to a farm team in Iowa where he stays with a farmer and his wife.  Sugar must deal with a new language, new food, a new style of religion and new cultural mores.  One of my favorite scenes is when the waitress in a restaurant explains the different ways to cook eggs.  It felt just like my experiences hosting international guests.  The more adjusted Sugar becomes to life off the diamond the more his game suffers.  When a foot injury sets him back, Sugar takes an unexpected path.  And his journey begins anew.

This is not your average sports movie.  It does not lead to the big game.  It is a movie about life, choices and consequences.  It is eye opening with respect to baseball and the broken dreams of young men who come to pursue their sport but stay for a chance at a better life. There were wonderful performances  all the way around.