Colin Farrell plays the lead role in a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story that surprises as well as thrills.
Is this Sugar sweet or very sour?
The Private Detective story and genre have been going on for decades. Think back to the classic heyday of the black-and-white noir, Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitcham etc. The hard-boiled private eyes that always had to solve a mystery that had us all guessing. Even Batman got in on the act, starting off as a detective rather than the hero we’ve come to know and love today. Every now and again, we come across a version of the genre that we think we know all too well. And then we find out it’s not what we expected.
That is the premise of the upcoming Apple TV+ series, Sugar. Colin Farrell leads the cast in what we think is the standard private eye story, complete with voiceover throughout proceedings. As John Sugar, Farrell leads us through a mystery that has us all guessing. Strong language, violent scenes, and sexual scenes we don’t expect but accept as the norm abound from the start. So far, so usual. But we are being led into a false sense of security. How so, you may ask. That is for you to discover. Just when we think we’ve got a handle on what’s going on, the series throws a curveball that we don’t see coming. And it elevates the series out from the normal and into something original and surprising.
THOUGHTS
If you’re looking for any spoilers or hints as to what you will see and discover, sorry but none will be forthcoming. The less you know about the series, the better. You need to go into the series CLEAN. Rest assured, however, what you will find out and discover is worth the effort. The series is a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story that will ultimately take your breath away. Yes, the standard tropes are all here, but in a way that may redefine the genre going forward, in a good way.
Created by Mark Protosevich, the series follows John Sugar as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of movie mogul Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell). But this is just the tip of the mystery iceberg. Questions like how can Sugar drink so much alcohol and not get drunk or feel its effects? Exactly who is his friend Ruby (Kirby Howell-Baptiste)? Is the alcoholic Melanie Mackie (Amy Ryan) on the level or does she have more to do with the case than she’s letting on? And what are Olivia’s father Bernie Siegel (Dennis Boutsikaris) and her half-brother David (Nate Corddry) hiding? The answers are shocking, surprising and topical. And no one is as innocent or are who they seem.
PERFORMANCES
The cast are all superb in their roles. None more than Colin Farrell himself. As Sugar, he is who we follow through almost every scene, every second of the eight episodes. Farrell is such a solid lead, we can’t help but keep our eyes and attention on him at every turn. He turns in a performance that endears us to him from the second we meet him. And in doing so, creates a protagonist that we will remember for a long time to come. Kirby Howell-Baptiste gives an enjoyable but mysterious performance as Ruby. We never know whose side she’s on. Is she telling the truth, twisting it slightly to fit a narrative, or is she hiding something from Sugar? We have to follow the story throughout every episode to discover the truth.
Of the supporting cast, it is Amy Ryan as Melanie that we see and journey alongside the most. As Olivia’s stepmother, Melanie is an alcoholic former star. The first time we meet her in person, she’s getting drunk on scotch when Sugar finally tracks her down. Some drunken flirting and inviting Sugar back to her home doesn’t end the way she expects. But despite this, Melanie is almost Sugar’s sidekick from the start. Amy Ryan is superb in her role and we find our hearts going out to her at times. Of all of the supporting cast, she is the one person apart from Sugar that we hope will see the final credits in the finale.
VERDICT
I have kept this review deliberately vague. That’s because revealing any more could easily spoil the series. It is one of those that needs to be experienced with no knowledge of it beforehand. What can be revealed is the twists come thick and fast, and the mystery unravels as it should, small piece by small piece. By the time the series ends, the puzzle is almost complete. Almost. Just when we think we’ve finished, we find one piece hasn’t fitted. And that is the joy of the series. We see the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles at times and it is uncomfortable viewing. All that glitters is not gold. A lot of it is severely tarnished.
With slick direction from Fernando Meirelles and with superb writing from Mark Protosevich, David Rosen, Donald Joh and Sam Catlin, the series is highly enjoyable. Twisting and turning at will, featuring some superb performances, some outstanding shots of Los Angeles, and some brilliant music to boot, it is something that can be watched again and again. It will keep you guessing, second-guessing, interested and thrilled in equal measure. Some of what we see will leave a sour taste in our mouths. But there’s no question about it. This Sugar is sweet.
Sugar premieres on Apple TV+ on April 5th with the first three episodes.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
