That Sugar Film (2014) User Reviews (43)

Genuinely shocking and enlightening health documentary

[Red-Barracuda · 8/10 · 21 August 2015]

In this documentary, film-maker Damon Gameau becomes his own guinea pig and spends 60 days eating healthy foods with added sugar. Before this process, he had eradicated sugar from his diet so the contrast is even more pronounced. Over the course of the 60 days he puts on considerable weight, experiences mood swings and notices a drop in overall motivation.

What I found so alarming about this film was that it didn't play things easy and simply expose the dangers of excessive sugar intake. Gameau doesn't consume any junk food whatsoever, such as fizzy juice, sweets or ice cream, he instead purely sticks to food marketed as healthy. It's this more than anything that sets off alarm bells because this route seems to most people a route to weight loss and improved physical well-being, yet as the film demonstrates it actually leads to obesity and mental damage. Time and again we are shown the volumes of sugar that is hidden in so-called 'healthy' foods and it makes you pause for thought. What comes out loud and clear is that sugar is clearly a socially acceptable form of addiction and the sugar industry have been instrumental in minimising public information on the dangers their product presents. It's very interesting to note that over the course of his 60 day experiment Gameau eats no more calories than he did previously, yet he puts on almost a stone in weight. One of the key lessons, therefore, is that there are calories and there are calories, i.e. sugar calories affect the body decidedly differently to the way protein and carb ones do.

The approach taken by the film is very much of the fun and informative variety. Sometimes the humour doesn't work so well but in the main this approach is good in that it is very accessible. After all, this is a film that you would want children to watch and learn from. There are a couple of star cameos with Hugh Jackman giving us a brief history lesson about man's relationship with sugar and Stephen Fry pops up to explain some of the science behind it. On the whole, I found this to be an excellent wake-up call about a subject I had hitherto given minimal thought to. There is a lot of very valuable information in this film that could be genuinely life changing if applied to your day to day life, and I reckon that is as good a recommendation as anyone could need.

An informative and inventive doco

[eddie_baggins · 7/10 · 2 August 2015]

Taking a page out of the Morgan Spurlock Super Size Me documentary book, recognisable Australian actor Damon Gameau has here delivered a witty and informative documentary that might take a few to many turns into situations and scenarios that don't work out fully, but still comes out on top thanks to a unique and thoughtful way of displaying the effects that sugar has had on mankind.

Utilising great use of CGI and talking heads, support of some name actors like Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry and with a relatable and affable charisma, Gameau undoubtedly thought long and hard about how he would make the documentation of his 60 day sugar filled diet into something interesting and fun, all the while being quite shocking in many aspects and he succeeds in turning a dry subject matter into an easily watchable and digestible whole.

I like many others could count myself as someone that thinks little about the effects sugar has on my life or my future life as it seems like a harmless and enjoyable addition to our diet. What Gameau does so well is showcases how even so called healthy snacks/drinks like Smoothies or breakfast meals are actually just as bad for you as most so called "bad" food and drinks. It's also shocking to see statements and information backed up by the physical transformation of Gameau over the period of the film and even the biggest doubters of the films message would struggle to deny the obvious change in the body of someone consuming the average amount of sugar per day that you and I could well be doing also.

While it's not a ground breaking piece by any means, That Sugar Film is still a very enjoyable and thought provoking piece of documentary filmmaking that would be a valuable addition to children's education on the sugar intake effects and also a must see films for all those that might just love there Mountain Dew a little too much.

3 ½ tooth extractions out of 5

Not such a sweet story

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 29 July 2015]

Greetings again from the darkness. Ever since Morgan Spurlock provided us with a gut check on the evils of McDonalds with his 2004 documentary Super Size Me, movie goers have shown a real appetite for information on food and nutrition. We have since had informative and entertaining documentaries on wheat, corn, fat, organics and gardening. This latest sweet film comes from Australian director Damon Gameau. He takes the Spurlock approach and personally becomes a lab rat to expose the effects of too much sugar. His mission is 60 days of eating "typical" sugar intake through what would ordinarily be considered "healthy" foods. In other words: no ice cream, candy or soda.

Mr. Gameau introduces himself as a healthy guy who exercises regularly and eats a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables. His girlfriend is 6 months pregnant as he begins this 60 day experiment into the world of sugar. There is a quick history lesson on how sugar became a food staple, and fellow Australian Hugh Jackman explains the pivotal event that occurred in 1955 – a Dwight Eisenhauer heart attack. This spurred debate between US doctors who blamed it on high fat, while the British doctors attributed it to an excess of sugar. The low-fat revolution began, and was actually responsible for the increased amount of sugar in our processed foods. We learn that a full 80% of the standard products on grocery store shelves contain added sugar.

A panel of medical experts provides the necessary tests upfront that set the baseline for blood work, enzyme levels, liver function, weight, etc. The comparison 60 days later is frightening, but it's Gameau's daily journey that provides the real insight and biggest eye-openers. He doesn't spend much time focusing on any particular brands, though Pepsi (Mountain Dew), Coca-Cola and Jamba Juice each takes some serious jabs. Instead we witness his mood swings and lack of motivation for exercise.

British actor Stephen Fry explains the Glucose/Fructose make-up of Sucrose and we are given an overview of how our bodies process this – including a briefing on the role of insulin. As the days go on, we witness Gameau's weight gain and he explains his lethargy and most surprisingly, his mental inconsistencies. He has bouts of cloudiness in a mind that was once clear. It's this and the dramatic change in his liver that delivers the real scare.

It seems clear that all calories are not created equally (a calorie from an apple is not processed the same as a calorie from a Snickers), and that food companies have put much effort into hiding, or at least disguising, the amount of sugars added to the massive amount of processed food consumed each year by the average person. Perhaps Diabetes and Obesity and tooth decay are not thought to be immediate enough threats to cause a shift away from the convenience of processed food. Mr. Gameau shows just how dramatic and severe the changes can be in only 60 days. So imagine 5 years. 25 years. Just how much warning do we need?

This movie changed my life

[randymcbeast · 10/10 · 2 September 2015]

Yes, that's right. I said it. This movie changed my life. Well, it did so might as well acknowledge it and send a big warm thank you to the folks that made it.

Since watching the movie I've changed my diet completely. I wanted to wait about a month before I wrote this review just to make sure it took hold and actually did change my life. It seems now though that this one really got into me deep. Message received loud and clear.

I actually feel stupid for the many decades of damage that I've done to my body for being so ignorant about sugar and the products we consume every day. I also feel betrayed by society as a whole for not recognizing this sooner, and still not doing anything about it to this day. Why are we so stupid?

Sugar is killing us and nobody is doing anything about it. Well, I suppose not everybody. The makers of this film and probably a handful of others are working on the awareness, and I will also do my part telling everyone I know about this film.

If you care about living and being healthy and you care about the health of your family and friends, watch this film, tell them to watch, and then tell them to spread the word.

We're surrounded by dangers, simply refused to see it.

[Reno-Rangan · 9/10 · 14 December 2016]

The last time I saw such documentary film was 'Food, Inc.'. In the mean time I have seen documentaries about different topics, but not food. It was a long gap indeed, because then I was in my early twenties and now watching this film made me realise how to look at the food I eat everyday. So believe me, if you are in your late twenties and above, this will inspire you. But for others, like the youngsters and kids, it will be an educational film.

This Australian film looks funny from the outside, but the information it gives can't simply be discarded. I liked the actor, who was the writer, director, producer of the film and the dedication was highly appreciable. Because it was not just go out and make a film, but he himself placed into the centre of the film plot. Initially I thought it was a crazy idea, but at the end I'm stunned. For everything, from what he did and what this film revealed.

When it comes to the food, there are many things to be concerned. But this film was focused on sugar, about the foods we eat, which has a strong sugar presence and how it is affecting our health. Damon Gameau decided to experiment himself by consuming per day, forty teaspoons of sugar and from sugary products that easily available in the market. And monitoring carefully the changes in his body along the way his wife's pregnancy.

"Sugar's not evil, but life's so much better when you get rid of it."

The film is not all about the experiment he's doing, it also gives some details about the people who are suffering big from modern foods. Especially I'm happy for openly giving opinions about the soft drinks from Coke and Pepsi brands. Damon also travelled to the US and he continued what he was doing, alongside collecting some new input from the experts, as well as meeting the victims. The rapid change in his physique and health gives a report on what direction the experiment is heading. From damaging the skin to the putting his internal body organs into various risks of diseases such as liver failure, heart attack and many more.

There's a brief appearance of Hugh Jackman, but don't expect more than that. It had no big impact, because the film's topic was much bigger than his part in the film. The film gave me some idea about how to deal with the food I consume. If you are concerned about your weight, particularly fat tummy, you will know what to do after watching this. I mean this does not guide you through, but opens your eyes. It points out where you are committing your mistake. It does not tell to completely cut off the sugary, but know your limit and behave.

One of the best documentary films. Do whatever you want after watching this, but before that don't think to skip it. You can call it an inspirational, educational or a message deliverer, but this film has committed to highlight what went wrong with the modern day diet. And how the food industry is responding to all the accusations. But you should know what's better for you, so think twice before touching any sugar products. Especially be aware of fructose (who is the villain of this story), which might not equate to nicotine, but the consequences are.

9/10

Sugar in Focus

[sol- · 7/10 · 11 January 2016]

Intent to either prove or dispel the various myths about the adverse effects of sugar, television actor Damon Gameau chronicles the changes that a high sugar diet has on him in this fascinating Australian documentary. What makes Gameau's quest interesting is that he relies on only 'hidden' sugars to increase his input; that is to say, sugars in fruit juice, low fat yoghurt and other so-called healthy products. The results are a tad scary and with plenty health expert interviews included, the film presents the science behind sugar consumption too. The content ought to be viewed with a grain of salt (or more aptly, sugar) though. The film shies over the fact that are dietitians out there who recommend some sugar level consumption and by only including experts who agree with his findings, Gameau never really seems objective. Never to mind, Gameau's quest is endlessly intriguing even if one may be skeptical of it. Humour is used particularly well to drive certain points home and most memorably, he eats a piece of chicken covered in white sugar at one point since it is equivalent to the sugar that he would be consuming had he eaten the chicken with sauce. The inclusion of interviewees on package labels through CGI also works well, ensuring that the documentary is anything but 'talking heads'. Stephen Fry and Hugh Jackman's guest appearances are fun too. The experience is only seriously marred by a silly rap song music video tagged on at the end that completely destroys the documentary's otherwise sombre tone. The film still concludes though with plenty to ponder about.

IMPORTANT MOVIE

[ebclyne · 10/10 · 19 July 2018]

So many things are really important which are trivial. This movie is not one of them. It is important. This movie demonstrates our self-destruction through diet. Tax sugar 1000%.

Get rid of your sugars!

[erenolgac · 7/10 · 12 March 2017]

It has deep messages that not everyone can easily understand it. Camera angles are not good and this film is a bit recorded "amateurly". But if you wanna get rid of your fats (sugars actually). I highly recommend this film.

I was deeply shocked when the boy in the dentist said that he is going to drink mountain dew with his dent less mouth!

The one film you must see... before you die!

[andrewbunney · 10/10 · 27 February 2015]

That Sugar Film is one man's journey into the effect of eating the sugar that is hidden in food marketed as healthy. There is increasingly awareness that we live in the age of sugar with the population of our planet suddenly consuming massively more sugar. There are links between this new diet and obesity and mental illness. Warning bells were sounded in 2009 by childhood obesity expert Prof Robert H. Lustig at the University of California, whose youtube lecture went viral.

Damon Gameau's playful exploration of this crucially important subject is a big wake-up. He packages it in a palatable, family-friendly form, the perfect counter-punch to the food industry's current marketing of sugar. Gameau follows in the footsteps of Morgan Spurlock's gonzo doco, Supersize Me, where Spurlock offered himself as a guinea pig to look at a diet of Maccas. Here, Gameau puts his body on the line to look behind the health claims of fruit juice, flavoured yoghurt, muesli bars, breakfast cereal and more; a diet only of food marketed as healthy and natural but brimming with heaped spoonfuls of unwanted sugar.

Hugh Jackman's sand paintings of the history of sugar is the first of many bite-sized pleasures that make up this rollicking journey of discovery that is guaranteed to disturb your eating habits. With food corporations more in denial than the tobacco industry, tell-tale signs are products marked 'lo-fat' or '100% natural'.

What Gameau reveals about the fructose-laden fare cynically marketed to us at the cost of our health is nothing less than shocking. The film also stirs the pot about obesity, behavioural problems in children, and even rocks the foundations of consumerism. He is the canary in the coalmine and we must give thanks for the warning.

With great songs and great graphics this film is truly sickening, albeit with an upbeat ending. Suitable for all the family, That Sugar Film is compulsory viewing for anyone who has children or anything else to live for. This is THE one film to see … before you die!

Re-member the old facts: Eat natural, hate sugar

[shamik_ghosh-1 · 6/10 · 8 August 2015]

nothing mind-blowing. but that does not mean that they are unimportant.

the film will again make you remember about the dangerous food labyrinth that we are in. really a responsible attempt for our kids. it will tell you how omnipresent the sugar is. it's almost every where.

the bottom lime is: AVOID PROCESSED / PACKAGED FOOD & DRINKS. EAT AS NATURE GIVES US.

eat a fruit in it's original shape, not just the juice. Why? because it's harmful. avoid so-called health food / drinks : they all contain harmful quantity of sugar... ........

good and praiseworthy attempt. hope, i'll remember them when someone offers me a coke.

Help The Medicine Go Down!

[SwollenThumb · 9/10 · 9 May 2018]

Fun film that truly opens our eyes to how the presence of sugar in our modern diet affects our health, both physically and emotionally. Sugar is in all processed foods even fruit juices. So we need to know how it affects us. Director Damon Gateau puts his health on the line to test what happens to our bodies and mood when we consume 40 teaspoons of sugar a day, which is the average amount in our modern diet. We become involved with his personal experiment and it's all presented breezily and with humour. The finale is an incredibly clever jingle/song that sums up the doco brilliantly. All performed by Gateau. The framing of the film with the birth of his child and how he develops his own "pregnant" stomach is hilarious! This movie could change your life!

The predictability is almost compensated by interesting and well presented research, and a likeable led actor

[manders_steve · 6/10 · 23 June 2019]

Damon Gameau sets out to discover the truth about sugar in human diets in an entertaining and revelatory way. Damon, a healthy man, takes on the challenge to live for 60 days consuming processed food that could be expected to be reasonably healthy, but with at least 40 teaspoons of 'hidden' sugar per day. Although he consumes a similar level of calories per day, the difference that a highly sugar rich energy source has on him is disturbing. How so much sugar can be hidden in foods that many people would assume are generally 'healthy' is disturbing. Possibly more disturbing is how in certain locations and settings not exceeding 40 teaspoons of sugar per day proves difficult.

Damon Gameau proves a likeable and relatable host and self-selected subject in this expose. It provides a lot of research evidence to explain and provide evidence for his conclusions in an entertaining and relatable way.

There is mention of how in I think the 1960s or 1970s American healthy living research concluded that fat was the culprit, but that a British doctor or researcher concluded around the same time that sugar had more to answer for. I think more exploration of that thesis, what the British conclusions were and how they were reached would have been interesting. But more interesting would have been exploration of how the generally accepted scientific conclusion became accepted, and how it persisted for so long would have added a lot.

The biggest challenge for me was the predictability, after Morgan Spurlock's coverage of similar issues with McDonald's in Super Size Me. This focussed on sugar, rather than the multiple issues in Super Size Me but the trajectory is very similar.

Important topic, ok execution

[rlsmith1994 · 5/10 · 11 January 2020]

Excessive sugar consumption is a significant public health crisis. The filmmaker does reference actual doctors and scientists. That's good.

But then he parades a host of flat earthers and high school drop outs (like Davis Wolfe) for their expertise, as if their perspectives are somehow equivalent to medical professionals and scientists.

So, by all means listen to the message. Just be skeptical of the science and delivery presented in this film.

Awesome movie. I find it very much needed for our generation. This kind of movie should have been made a decade back.

[partialeyes · 10/10 · 6 September 2015]

Awesome movie. I find it very much needed for our generation. This kind of movie should have been made a decade back. :( Should be seen by everybody. Share as much as you can. Expected it to be boring but the self realization took over.

I wonder if all the big corporations and their managers would still continue their job. If they were paid less, in the name of 'healthy food'. They know their product is not healthy. But still advertise it. After all who hates $$$$ :D

I would personally suggest you to watch this. And empathize it. So "sweet" of you to share it also. ;)

Everyone needs to watch this

[phd_travel · 10/10 · 21 March 2019]

Everyone needs to watch this. It's very clear and entertaining explanation of how we are eating too much sugar and the effect on us. Cameos by famous actors helps liven things. There are lots of things that surprised me. The hidden sugars in a so called healthy diet. The effect of Mountain Dew effect on teeth is shocking and unforgettable.

A few slight errors hold it back from being something great

[jtindahouse · 6/10 · 21 August 2018]

It's very hard to watch 'That Sugar Film' without comparing it to Morgan Spurlock's 'Super Size Me' the entire time. I read that writer/director Damon Gameau was even consulting heavily with Spurlock during the making of this. What made 'Super Size Me' work so well, and why I think 'That Sugar Film' won't connect with as many people as it otherwise could've, is that people could easily relate. Eating McDonald's or not eating McDonald's is an easy distinction to make. The mistake I believe Gameau made was doing his experiment with day to day sugars that everyone eats without a second thought. The majority of people are highly unlikely to stop eating those things and thus this documentary will not have an overly strong impact on them. If he had gone a step further and done it with extreme sugar foods like chocolate, sugar drinks, candy etc. I think it would've had a much stronger impact.

The science side of things is done very well in the film. Everything is explained excellently and the examples given are always helpful and clear to understand. The experts all clearly know what they're talking about, however there weren't very many interesting characters amongst them which can leave the film a little dry in places. I also would've liked to see the interview with the man from the company who were taking money from Coca-Cola pushed a lot harder. Obviously Gameau is a first time documentarian and so that situation may have been a little daunting to him. I have to say I liked this film without loving it. if nothing else it has certainly given me a lot to go away and think about and I think everyone who watches it will be in the same boat to some degree. I just feel that it could've been even better with a few tweaks.

Brilliant presentation, super entertaining without losing the fascinating message! A must see!!

[johnandtg · 10/10 · 5 June 2018]

Having seen quite a few "food" movies I was blown away by how funny & entertaining this movie is. Damon is very funny. The dance scene in the end is inspired & completely nuts. I loved it. My 10 & 8 year old watched it too & laughed alot- all while learning lots of helpful things about our bodies, other cultures & how food is made these days. I've also never seen a food movie that had me on the brink of tears as with the RV scene & the 18 year old boy and his mom- brutal. We all know sugar is bad but the amount in every day processed food is crazy & I'm glad someone is talking about it. The experiment he did was brilliant. And the effects, hair raising! I love sugar & I try to be aware of how much I'm eating but seeing this was a much needed eye opener. My family is going to cut way back. So grateful for the makers of this film. There was no preachy or ram it down your throat feeling that some food films have. Very real, interesting & timely. Thanks Damon!!

Good one

[apetrenko · 7/10 · 20 September 2017]

This documentary is very powerful one to draw attention to a food that we have on our table with confident that it is healthy one or at least nothing bad in it. I really like the style or techniques that the author uses to compare and highlight how much sugar generally people consume.I have never thought that my healthy breakfast could contain so much sugar and how dramatical influence of this amount of one has on my body. I absolutely recommend watching it, just for sure

Self-righteous at times but presenting the aspect other documentaries never touch - addiction

[blatter-430-734077 · 8/10 · 14 August 2015]

Even though midway claims of evil capital forcing sugar on people is emotional, not aimed at fixing the issue, psychological aspect of addiction depriving people of their potential, makes it the most valuable propaganda to date. Production quality seems rather the matter of time and budget. Silliness while unnecessary is fairly compensated with accessible factual load. Haters pay a lot of attention to calories being equal and thus think this documentary is nonsense but they ignore facts of psychological reaction specific to sugar. Sugar makes people feel love. It's mostly people raised in communities deprived of love altogether - like south USA, aboriginal reservations or undeveloped societies of post-soviet and Asian states. For anyone who still can't get it how to live without added sugar or flour just do what motivational coach said at the end of the film - try to prove it yourself that living without sugar is good for everyone. No need to fear the change - you can always go back to your previous diet but I'm pretty sure you won't have the desire to do so.

More than a spoonful ...

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 20 April 2016]

Are we able to stomach another movie about health and the way we are used to eat? That depends on yourself. This movie is not as out there as the one about McDonalds/Fast Food (Supersize me), because it is about everyday food and things you may eat and drink yourself. Actually it is very likely that you consume most of the things, not being aware about the sugar they contain.

If you're made aware of this though, will you be able to eat and drink more healthy? If even smoothies have more sugar than you'd think (or is it just me), what options are there? You get a couple of solutions and answers, but the movie never tells you that you have to do this or that. The ultimate decision lies within yourself ... And if you think about Mary Poppins while watching: The movie acknowledges this too ...

Good documentary - Nothing new

[susanpwm · 5/10 · 22 March 2015]

None of the information is new - we have been told for a very long time that sugar is bad, eat natural, etc, etc. Having said that, it's a good documentary with some pretty scary facts on how much sugar is hidden in everyday seemingly healthy foods. I certainly won't be having a jumba juice anytime in the future. I also think people need to start taking responsibility. There was a couple of examples : In the USA they are blaming Mountain Dew. It's a simple supply and demand equation - Stop buying it and they'll change their product to reflect buyer demand. Remember McDonald's happy meals of 5 years ago contained a burger, fries and softdrink. They now contain same burger but with apple slices and a juice or water. And the Aboriginal community that was displayed - with all respect, they had a nutritionist for a while helping them out so why revert to old ways when the nutritionist left. Start taking responsibility for what goes in your own mouth.

Super

[nevraozaslan-32512 · 10/10 · 18 November 2018]

Every person should watch.... Sugar addiction is one of the mostmportant issues of our time...

Changed my life

[erayberatatalay · 10/10 · 8 February 2020]

In my life after the movie, I removed things about sugar.

Must Watch for Every Parent

[Ebillhaney · 10/10 · 19 February 2019]

This film is an in your face expose on how the sugar industry is poisoning us with drug-pusher style sugar distribution tactics.

Detailed Analysis of That Sugar Film

[burakparlak · 10/10 · 17 August 2019]

1) TECHNICALLY: It engagedly depicts the problems and consequences of sugar consumption. There are highly funny and educative illustrations and animations inside the film. Contrary beliefs and thoughts stated by scientist sponsored by multinational companies are properly disproved. At the end of the film, there is a video clip summarizing the whole of it. Music and sound usage are appropriate and it's far away from being a just boring educator or documentary.

2) SUMMARY: A man will be father in a few months and he wonders what happens inside his body when he consumes sugar. He didn't used to eat anything containing sugar for 2 years but now he goes on a sugar diet. He eats 40 teaspoon of sugar everyday for 2 months to see what changes after all. Basically, he gets fat and face with fatty liver, which causes diabetes and heart disease.

3) FACTS: Sugar stimulate the same area in brain with cocaine and having sex. Even though you don't eat junk food, you still consume sugar by eating canned food, yoghurt, fruit juice and other beverages with artificial sweetener. Calorie is not responsible for getting fat alone, rather it results from which type of calorie you take. 1 grams oil has 9 calorie and 1 grams sugar has 4 calorie, however you get fatter when you consume sugar rather than oil. Just as in meat industry, multinational companies promote and sponsor researchers to justify their sugared products as healthy. Sugar has been in our life since 50 years and our body didn't evolve to process sugar like a factory. If you are fat, pimpled, diabetic or sick from coronary vessel system, SUGAR is guilty for it.