Sugar Town (1999)

Directors:

Allison Anders
Kurt Voss

Writers (WGA):

Allison Anders (written by) &
Kurt Voss (written by)

Release Date:

10 January 2001 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

The best place to be.

Plot:

Unimpassioned look at the lives of struggling L.A. scene rock stars follows main character, Gwen (Jade Gordon)...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Music Producer | Drug Rehabilitation | Adultery | Pregnancy

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Jade Gordon	...	Gwen
John Taylor	...	Clive
Michael Des Barres	...	Nick
Martin Kemp	...	Jonesy
Larry Klein	...	Burt
John Doe	...	Carl
Lucinda Jenney	...	Kate
Marion Moseley	...	In Utero Baby
Veronica Nommenson	...	Violet
Elena Nommenson	...	Rose
Amelia Nommenson	...	Daisy
Ally Sheedy	...	Liz
Nicholas Walker	...	Masseuse
Rosanna Arquette	...	Eva
Jeffrey McDonald	...	Kevin (as Jeff McDonald)

Also Known As:

Untitled Anders-Voss Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, some drug content and sexuality.

Runtime:

92 min | Argentina:92 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | USA:R | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

The three girls that played the Carl's daughters are John Doe's children in real life.

Soundtrack:

Moody

Naturalistic, funny, charming, bittersweet winner!

Allison Anders' best movie is a terrific ensemble piece, and what an ensemble! Seemingly playing themselves are ex-Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet members John Taylor and Martin Kemp, X frontman John Doe, Michael Des Barres (whose self-parody here deserves some kind of award), plus great turns from Rosanna Arquette, Beverly D'Angelo, Ally Sheedy, someone named Lucinda Jenney (I love her whoever she is) and a number of other actors who barely seem to be acting, they are so natural and the dialogue so true to life. This is one of those rare movies of perfectly observed little details, with not a false note struck; plus it gives a droll and utterly believable glimpse inside the LA music and production worlds. You care about each character, even the detestable ones (like central figure Gwen) and there are about 20 characters to follow. Reminds a bit of an early Alan Rudolph piece but breezier and less self-conscious. I give SUGAR TOWN 8 stars, or 3 1/2 on Len Maltin's scale. I live for movies this good.