What’s it about?
A baseball player from the Dominican Republic leaves his family and earns his way out of a Dominican baseball academy to Single-A baseball in the United States. Along the way of chasing his dream of playing in the big leagues, he endures the rigors of a trying odyssey that often goes untold with so many foreign players. He goes through various trials and tribulations that mold him and help him find his place in this world.
Who is in it?
Algenis Perez Soto – Miguel “Sugar” Santos
Rayniel Rufino – Jorge Ramirez
Favorite Scene:
The scene where Sugar finally gets to New York and decides to visit Yankee Stadium. His ride on the 4 train which passes through an opening looking into the stadium lasts about two seconds. A symbolic scene of his life and dreams in regards to baseball.
Favorite Quote:
“Life is full of opportunities. However in baseball, there is only one.”
Review:
Sugar is a great film. So often, players such as Roberto Clemente and Pedro Martinez are acclaimed for their talents and abilities, however, what goes unnoticed are the thousands of other hopefuls that immigrate in order to achieve that dream, and the struggles they face in doing so.
However, what takes Sugar to the next level is it’s ability in humanizing the film. Miguel “Sugar” Santos and his process of figuring out where he belongs in life is the true main story in Sugar. After giving up on what was his ticket out of the Dominican Republic, Sugar seeks friendship, education, and happiness all while keeping himself and his family back home afloat.
Sugar is presented in a unique way without the glitz and glamour of other big productions. Much of what makes Sugar a great film is its ability to present quick and intelligent scenes with creative camera angles and concise dialogue, sometimes with no dialogue at all.
A great film that entertains, informs, and leaves some to the viewer’s imagination.
Grade: 3/5