Parents' Guide to

That Sugar Film

By Zach Lorenzini, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Quirky documentary about food industry engages, educates.

Movie NR 2015 102 minutes
That Sugar Film Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 9+

Based on 3 parent reviews

englishteacher93
englishteacher93 Adult
September 30, 2021
age 16+

More questionable content than reviews let on

Though a great documentary and intriguing message, from a teacher's point of view, it contained more questionable content that I anticipated. Though most high school students can handle it, there was some content that was not mentioned in the initial review of this film or the reviews. The word bullsh*t is said at least once and there are scenes of native tribes walking around completely nude. Some families may also be off-put by the frequent mention of Damon's girlfriend (not wife) being pregnant. The school setting where I planned to show this film is in a rather conservative community, so I just wanted to share.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
OlaM
OlaM Adult
April 2, 2019
age 5+

Entertaining for kids, solid information for parents and making a good point.

The film is informative and has lots of music and effects that kids find very funny - like people from product labels start talking or the trip into someone's body. For adults it's a good visualization of what the numbers on the labels look like and even if you already know much about sugar - a good remainder. When if comes to the age of the children the length of the movie (1h40min) might be too long for young viewers. My kids (4 and 6) watched about half - enjoyed it a lot and kept asking for the song from the beginning. They also seem to get the point and be less enthusiastic about eating sweets. If they kept watching I would fast forward one scene: a teenager is at a dentist with teeth so bad they all need to be removed. One thing I slightly dislike about the movie is that the healthy diet the main characters goes back to at the end of the movie is the kato diet, which is rather controversial.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THAT SUGAR FILM follows Australian writer/producer Damon Gameau through a 60-day experiment to chronicle the effects of a high-sugar diet on his healthy body. Under the close watch of a team of doctors and a nutritionist, Gameau begins eating foods that are usually perceived as "healthy" by the general public, abstaining from any overtly sugary soft drinks or candies. As the experiment progresses, Gameau's health, energy levels, and daily mood decline, while his weight and waistline increase. Anecdotes from an aboriginal Australian community that was introduced to the Western diet offer insight into how problematic it is. And by the end of the experiment, Gameau notes that his body has adapted to the new diet -- and its accompanying mood swings and headaches. All of which makes him more than happy to return to his previous, sugar-free ways.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (3 ):

In terms of documentaries about the food industry, That Sugar Film is one of a kind. Its fun, inviting presentation of facts and statistics makes its bitter truths very digestible; conversations surrounding health and wellness have centered on the role of processed sugar in the food industry for a while now, but rarely have they gone as in-depth or as hands-on as we see here.

Padded with historical and biological lessons, silly graphic effects, and a musical performance at the end, this documentary is equal parts educational, entertaining, and thought provoking. It engages you with its goofy, eccentric tone and style, which makes you much more receptive to its compelling messages about the effects of processed sugar -- and reasonable alternatives. Everyone who watches will gain a new perspective on their own consumption habits and the food industry at large.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the situation That Sugar Film addresses. What are the negative repercussions of consuming too much sugar? What would the benefit be of reducing or eradicating our own intake?

  • What role might class issues play in the way people are able -- or unable -- to say no to processed sugar? How can society as a whole work to improve the quality of food available to everyone?

  • What makes the film persuasive? Are documentaries obliged to be objective? Why or why not?

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