Weekly Review -- (De)famed and (de)glamourized pretty things

Sugar Town (1999) -- A slice of real life that takes place in a vacuum devoid of it, this Allison Anders-Kurt Voss collaboration shows a humorous and somewhat seedy side of L.A.'s music scene. The story follows the exploits of aspiring singer Gwen (Jade Gordon), working as an assistant to neurotic film production designer Liz (Ally Sheedy) and clawing her way to the top. Liz's actress friend Eva (Rosanna Arquette) and her husband, musician Clive (John Taylor), are in the midst of a personal and professional crisis; yet another struggling musician, Carl (John Doe), is questioning his family obligations while awaiting the arrival of his new baby. The lives of these players intersect and collide in an endless quest for elusive success and publicity. Each person's journey hinges upon another person's desire and vice versa; each of these people's ambitions might be obstacles to, or might be obstructed by, an even more voracious individual. One of the things I liked about this movie was Anders and Voss' decision to employ uncompromising tactics, such as innovative script and camera techniques, in revealing the various elements of the story. Rather than simply dissect and judge, the filmmakers identify the different pressing issues that come between dreamers and their dreams, as well as show the depths some people would sink to in order to achieve their goals in the fame game. The starkly realist, documentary style of the piece shows the pursuit of all things glitzy as a vicious circle, and is peppered by comedically ironic twists and very nice acting turns that add finishing touches to juicy characterizations. There are some scenes that will stick with you for a long time and there are some characters that you might even be able to relate to because, in the end, emotion and its expression are one and the same everywhere, be it your neighborhood, my neighborhood, or the Hollywood Hills. In case you have not done so upon its release, you should pay a belated visit to this town.

8/10