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Sugar… ah, honey honey.
No, there’s no time for a singalong, as Colin Farrell (The Banshees Of Inisherin) takes the lead in the first of two streaming dramas for 2024, as private eye John Sugar.
After an initial scene where he’s looking for a missing boy called Yuma, and showing how he’s very persuasive and rarely takes no for an answer – whether it’s with money or a show of force, it’s on to the main event, where retired veteran filmmaker Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) wants him to find his daughter, Olivia Siegel (Sydney Chandler – Don’t Worry Darling)
Along the way, he crosses paths with alcoholic Melanie (Amy Ryan – Louder Than Bombs) – who tries to seduce him, as well as Bernie Siegel (Dennis Boutsikaris – Money Monster) – father to Olivia, and husband to her mother, the late Rachel Kaye (Natalie Alyn Lind – Pet Sematary: Bloodlines) – who thinks his daughter will just turn up in rehab again, and gives our lead a very short shrift.
Farrell – who, one day, will play the lead in a film about my life story – does make for an engaging watch in most things, but for this?
Add in his narration throughout, as if it’s like a ’50s detective drama, plus mixing in some film clips (a bit like Dream On – one of my favourite TV shows of all time), as he’s into the movies, and a potential health issue, so far I’ve seen the first couple of episodes, and it was fine for a while, but it does get a bit stupidly weird for the sake of it at times, as I’m not sure I want to continue with this, as it’s also rather arty-farty at times, and that’s putting me off. It’s also ridiculously slow.
Oh, as an aside, in one scene we see John walking around the bathroom in his hotel room with his outdoor shoes on!! Take them off!!!
Sugar is on Apple TV+ from Friday April 5th. Initially, two episodes are available, and additional episodes will stream weekly.
It isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD. However, once announced, it will appear on the New DVD Blu-ray 3D and 4K releases UK list.
Check out the trailer below:
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 35-50 mins per episode (8 episodes)
Release date: April 5th 2024 (first 2 episodes, then weekly)
Studio: Apple TV+
Format: 2.00:1
Series Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Adam Arkin
Creator: Mark Protosevich
Producer: Matt Woodall
Writers: Mark Protosevich, Donald John, Sam Catlin, David Rosen
Music: Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge
Cast:
John Sugar: Colin Farrell
Ruby: Kirby
Melanie: Amy Ryan
Bernie Siegel: Dennis Boutsikaris
David Siegel: Nate Corddry
Kenny: Alex Hernandez
Jonathan Siegel: James Cromwell
Margit: Anna Gunn
Carlos: Massi Furlan
Stallings: Eric Lange
Olivia Siegel: Sydney Chandler
Rachel Kaye: Natalie Alyn Lind
Manuel Cortez: Bernardo Badillo
Thomas Kinsey: Miguel Sandoval
Henry: Jason Butler
Mrs. Siegel: Elizabeth Anweis
Carlo Dibenidetto: Don DiPetta
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.