1/5 DVD version is BUTCHERED
  by Cody Clarke (Brooklyn, NY)
PREFACE: This 1-star review is not of the film Sugar (as I have yet to even see it) but of the decision that was made to cut this film down from an R to a PG-13 for its DVD release.

Sugar was released theatrically with an R, and is on Blu-Ray with an R, but the DVD version has been sanitized into a PG-13 order to reach a 'wider market.' This so-called 'wider market' neglects grown-ups and teens who are allowed to see R-rated movies and don't own a Blu-Ray player, when in actuality, such a demographic is the WIDEST market!

Blu-Ray is not the standard yet. One day it will be, but it is not yet what the majority of people own. This was an atrocious marketing decision, as was the studio's decision to castrate one of the BEST-REVIEWED movies of the year.

There have been sanitized versions of films released on DVD in the past, but always alongside a separate unrated or theatrical version. However, this is the FIRST time, in my memory, that a sanitized version has been released on a format ONLY. Think about it like this-- this is the equivalent of Huckleberry Finn being only available abridged in print form, and only available unabridged on Amazon Kindle. It's insane, it's anti-art, it's anti-artist.

The word needs to be spread. Standing idly by will only mean more films receiving this same unfair treatment in the future. If you disagree with such practice, vote that this review was helpful, and post a review of your own.

4/5 Sugar not sticky sweet
  by Herr D (Boston)
Good film showing culture clash in the US. Problems definitely not limited to the Dominican population. I would have enjoyed more scenes of family life in the DR. Acting was natural and not the quality expected from many amateurs. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

4/5 A powerful and moving reflection on the American dream, baseball, and the immigrant experience
  by Nathan Andersen (Florida)
Miguel Santos, aka "Sugar," is an ambitious young Dominican kid with a dream to make it big in baseball. When he gets picked for the minor leagues in America, he knows it's just a matter of time before he is a household name and superstar. It turns out big dreams and talent are a dime a dozen in baseball, and while the pressure to succeed is enormous, there's always someone waiting in the wings to replace those who falter.

Sugar is a simple film, well told, about the American dream and the outsourcing of the so-called American sport, baseball. It starts out seeming like a classic sports success story of the underdog making his mark, along the lines of Rocky or The Karate Kid but with an international twist. It turns out to be something much more interesting and unexpected, a meditation on America from the perspective of the outsider coming in, and a new look at the immigrant experience, that manages to be both realistic and hopeful and uniquely unpredictable. This is very intelligent filmmaking, a powerful sophomore feature by the talented directing and screenwriting team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who traveled to the Dominican Republic and spoke with several whose stories resemble the one they depicted here in order to create a very authentic, true-to-life story, that is very different than their also compelling debut feature Half Nelson. Algenis Perez Soto does an incredible job as Miguel, immersing himself completely into the character of a soft spoken but confident young baseball player. The look and style are simple and direct, and the entire focus here is on character and story. Highly recommended.

4/5 Baseball and the American Dream
  by D. Franklin
I enjoyed this quite a bit, particularly for where it goes, which is perplexing at first but ultimately satisfying. This is in part because much of the time, we don't know what the central character is thinking. We can feel the pressure he is under and thus can understand something about both professional baseball and the experience of being in a new country.

5/5 If you love baseball, you'll love sugar...
  by Charles Bittner (Seacoast New Hampshire)
What else can I say but... this really shows the modern day struggles in baseball. I love this movie.... It is a great ride that you don't want to end. It doesn't follow the mold of traditional baseball movies. It is good to go.

I love baseball & this flick too.

CAPper