REVIEW: Sugar
F.A.M. Certified binge-worthy TV.
What to watch next is the first-world problem of our times. This occasional series highlights what has made the grade, or maybe a few that failed the test. From our couch to yours…
Starring: Colin Farrell, Amy Ryan, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Nate Corddry, and James Cromwell
Streaming Service: Apple+
The last few years have been good for Colin Farrell. While the Irish actor has been kicking around for decades, lately he really seems to be choosing consistently good projects and getting the praise he deserves in them.
This year most of the ink has been spilled (or servers drained?) praising his unrecognizable roll in The Penguin. In general, I’ve had it with comic book content, but Farrell (and the show) have been so highly praised that it’s on the to-watch list.
One bad thing about the Penguin praise is that I fear Farrell’s Sugar might get lost in the shuffle. I hope not because it’s a pretty damn good show and Colin is great in it.
Sugar is a straight-up film noir homage and makes no bones about it. Farrell as Detective John Sugar is a noir junkie and each episode features clips from some of the most famous films from the classic Hollywood era. It works surprisingly well, and the whole production is highly stylized, beautiful to watch, and a celebration of Los Angeles.
Unlike a procedural, Sugar’s first season (it’s thankfully been picked up for a second) follows one case — the missing granddaughter of a famous Hollywood producer. It’s a story that keeps you guessing and in true noir style there’s no such thing as a simple character. Everyone has secrets, including the titular detective.
The entire cast is strong, but Farrell is the star and it’s clear why. He’s eminently watchable as a detective who can bring the pain but really doesn’t want to hurt anybody. Yes, he has a secret, but he seems like one of the few good characters. In fact, I found something in the inherent goodness and child-like wonder of his character similar to his Academy Award nominated turn in The Banshees of Inisherin.
I’m going to keep this spoiler free, but season two is sure to be much, much different from the first.
We’ll be there the day it drops.