Sugar has been the target of a lot of bad press in the news recently, with many scientists holding sugar accountable to the obesity epidemic both here and in the United States. For the first time it is widely acknowledged that ‘good’ fat found in foods such as avocado or nuts etc. don’t necessarily make you fat. Sugar on the other hand, does.

So. We pretty much know that sugar is bad already; what That Sugar Film tells us is not entirely new information. Damon Gameau essentially mimics what Morgan Spurlock did in Super Size Me except with a high sugar diet (40 teaspoons a day) rather than a diet of McDonalds meals. Where the two films differ however, is that Spurlock’s documentary was a serious piece of investigative journalism that really did have an effect on the industry, whereas Gameau goes for cheap CG effects and random celebrity cameos. In one part of the film, we see a miniaturized Gameau delve into the body of Brenton Thwaites to show how glucose is absorbed into the blood stream or converted to fat with GCSE film project level graphics.

Stephen Fry and Hugh Jackman also pop up to explain the “science stuff” and the history of sugar respectively. It is clear that the film is aiming young; pandering to child sensibilities with bright colours and graphics and some very basic information. With this in mind it could, potentially, become a useful tool in schools to educate young students.

The film presents the two extremes and doesn’t leave much room for a middle ground. Gameau goes from a completely sugar free diet (he says he and his girlfriend both do not eat sugar…EVER), to a very high sugar diet albeit without eating chocolate, sweets and fizzy drinks. Instead, he opts for what he says are “hidden sugars” in cereal, flavoured yoghurts and fruit juice. At the end of his challenge he goes back to no sugar at all and claims that those who eat sugar are living a hazy brained lifestyle…! Really? Surely life’s too short to deny yourself any treats ever so I think the odd chocolate bar every now and then is hardly bad!

The end takes a turn into the bizarre with a cheesy, unfunny rap, set in a supermarket starring Gameau as ‘Sugar Man’, putting all the facts about sugar to music. Just unnecessary. Overall, That Sugar Film includes solid facts, most of which we already know presented in a somewhat patronizing way, but fails in most respects to be a hard hitting documentary.

Niki Alexandrou

@nikialexandrou