The FTT Movie Review: Sugar

As part of my continuing effort to fill the bloghole during the Dead Time, I spun this disc. Algenis Perez Soto plays Miguel "Sugar" Santos, a young Dominican minor league pitcher, and his efforts to adjust to life in America. You get a real sense of the challenges facing people like this, especially with the language issues.

The film has a host of small scenes that work really well. A waitress in spring training in Arizona teaches him about eggs, and it's just touching, really. He impresses in spring training, and gets sent to Bridgeton, Iowa, and you really get the unreality of the First World when compared to the DR. Watching him walk through a hotel, then a game room, than a neon bowling alley and bar situation... it's like watching a visitor from another planet. I won't get too far into the specifics of what happens, but you really get the pressure that's felt on these guys, and how any downturn, injury or insecurity is heightened, and how it's only a game might be the biggest lie ever told.

Soto is especially good in the role, with a reasonable pitching motion and arm action; there's nothing fake about his mechanics, and his ability to emote without dialogue is first rate. The directing is strong, too, with nice touches of when Santos enters a newer or larger arena, or being perplexed by the sudden immersion into Bible Belt prostlyetizing, or being utterly alone in a brawl. It's definitely worth your time and the rental.