SUGAR & SPICE (2001)

Directed By: Francine McDougall 
Written By: Mandy Nelson 
Cinematography By: Robert Brinkmann 
Editor: Sloane Klevin 


Cast: Marley Shelton, Rachel Blanchard, Marla Sokoloff, Mena Suvari, James Marsden, Melissa George, W. Earl Brown, Sara Marsh, Alexandra Holden, Jake Hoffman, Sean Young, Adam Busch 


A popular high-school cheerleader becomes pregnant by the star quarterback and turns to crime to support her desired lifestyle.

I am going to be honest at the time this movie came out I was really looking forward to it. As I was hoping for a kind of return to teenage movies was afoot. As there seemed to be so many coming out that were more high concept. At first I thought the film was generally passable, but over the years the flaws have shown up.

One of the problems is that We know this is a silly comedy and the aim of the film is for a more teenage audience, but the film leaves them with barely any identifiable characters, As the characters come off as one dimensional Comedic creations. Nothing more or less middle American teenagers that seem more idealized from the 1950’s given 90’s issues and attitudes. That seems to be more idealized then marketed towards a more midwestern teen audience.

The films writing seems more like a television show as it seems more episodic then any natural narrative.

The film offers up a bunch of up and coming talent. While it is a story of friendship it also delves into a kind of fantasy for the males in the audience. It doesn’t deliver for them which could be seen as a let down for the fraction of the audience. Though it doesn’t offer any skin or titilation as the film is obviously more aimed at a female audience. So that it offers an over all message of friendship and teamwork.

The film gives actress Marley Shelton a chance to show. After playing in so many teen comedies and television shows. She finally gets a lead role to herself. Even if the film is more an ensemble the spotlight revolves around her character. Where most of the characters are so nice and sweet. It get’s annoying even though that is part of the comedy watching these good girls try to go bad.

What the film lacks is what teenage films are more noted for fun, sass and attitude. Everything about the film feels more designed and manufactured. So that it feels like it never goes quite far enough. As it constantly feels lacking in some department or other. To really be satisfactory or really come alive.

It seems that the film got more of a boost from having Mena Suvari in the cast. Who at the time was a rising star herself coming on the heels of AMERICAN PIE and AMERICAN BEAUTY. Even if at times she seems to be trying too hard to play her tough mean spirited character.

Everyone tries their hardest to sell the jokes, characters and material. So the film at least has that youthful energy. It just has nothing to really show for it, other then a cute half baked romp.

Lona Williams wrote the original screenplay for this movie, and was an executive producer. After a falling out with producers, her name was removed from the project. The writing credit was changed to "Mandy Nelson" shortly before the film's release.

The movie was supposed to be a black comedy about murdering for money, but the producers thought it too similar to JAWBREAKER another teen black comedy, so the screenwriter re-wrote the script to what it is now.

The film just falters as it has no groundwork in which to rest or set it’s roots into


Grade: C-