ilania_a
A few instances in this film were aimed at people who really understand the rules of the game of Baseball. I missed why a fight started after one of Sugar's pitches. However, even if you miss a few spots, the film still merits watching. The main character in this story: SUGAR is played by a very charismatic actor Algenis Perez Soto - who will hopefully have a successful career. The plot brings to light the trials and tribulations of young immigrants who have to undergo the humiliations of living in a different world. Apart from being a bit too slow and lengthy, the story is at times heart-wrenching. The Latin music is pleasant to hear, and even Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah sung in Spanish performed by GEPE is a very good. The last piece of music chosen for the end of the movie while the credits are running....is a bit of an odd choice though. The film could have benefited from improved directing and better editing. Too much time spent on banal everyday life details. I had to stop the film a few times because it became a bit tiresome, but there was something quite fetching about it. I just wonder what Robert Redford or Clint Eastwood would have done with the same actors.
rjohnson88
I watched this movie because i am a self confessed sports movie sucker nearly anything with sport involved i will probably like and this film is no different. Don't get me wrong though this is so much more than a sports film about the player who wants to make it, its more of a documentary style film telling of the story of the immigrant looking for the American dream. This film is so achingly beautiful in its presentation and storytelling style that i found it simply sunning and a true presentation of the major league farm system and a young mans journey through its brutal system.This film was one of the most beautiful film i have seen in a long time and a complete masterpiece of modern understated cinema.P.S. if you like this style of film please watch 'Chop Shop', 'Boy-A', 'Half Nelson', 'Goodbye Solo' and 'Into The Wild'.
larry-464
I'm astounded at the great reviews for this movie. (BTW, some of the long reviews here recount in great detail the plot of the movie. Huh? Why do people do this? I don't need plot details, I need to know if the movie is well done and worth seeing). As I watched the movie (rented) I started calling out each of the predictable plot points to see if I could nail the exact number of seconds until they would appear. Ooohhh, the players enter a bar in rural Iowa and start dancing with some white girls (all absurdly gorgeous btw). Betcha can't guess what happens next! The whole movie is like this.This could have been a great movie. Why not spend some time really exploring what it is like to be a dark-skinned man who doesn't speak English trying to order breakfast in a rural Iowa café?! Let me get into his head, take me through the emotions, challenge me, make me think. Instead we get a brief movie-of-the-week formulaic version. Maybe I've just seen too many movies and I'm doomed...
Michael O'Keefe
This is one of those movies that seem to fall between the cracks. Little known, but one you'd hate to miss...especially if you like baseball. The best part of this film is the authenticity and the inspiration that comes from it. Miguel Santos(Algenis Perez Soto) is a 19-year old in the Dominican Republic, where baseball still reigns supreme. Miguel, nicknamed Sugar, is a gifted pitcher that throws a knuckle curve with power. Dreams of making it to America and the big leagues sometimes do come true for some. And when it happens it means a family actually has a chance of getting out of poverty.Sugar and many other hopefuls attend the Dominican's Kansas City Baseball Academy and with any luck can be called up to Minor League ball in the States. Sugar gets to make the trip to Kansas City's team in Burlington, Iowa. There he will struggle with the language, culture and pressure of having any degree of success to rescue his family.This poignant and very believable baseball movie also stars: Rayniel Rufino, Michael Gaston, Andre Holland, Ellary Porterfield and Ann Whitney.
AD
