That Sugar Film

Mindy Simmons: Desserts aren’t always right.

Homer Simpson: But they’re so sweet!

(The Last Temptation Of Homer, The Simpsons)

Somewhat ironically, Australian actor and filmmaker Damon Gameau uses the cinematic equivalent of a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down in his new documentary That Sugar Film, which explores the hidden and insidious effects fructose and refined sugars have on the everyday diet. Diligently providing a wealth of information and expert commentary about the history of the dreaded white powder (not to mention its other covert incarnations) and its effects while shrewdly sidestepping a dry or didactic approach, Gameau presents his pitch in a lively, entertaining fashion that has candy-coloured visuals and the kick of a sugar rush.

There’s plenty of substance accompanying the style, however, with Gameau taking the Super Size Me tactic of making himself the guinea pig by ingesting sugar for 60 days (in the ‘healthy’ form of fruit juice, muesli bars and low-fat yoghurt) after swearing off the stuff for years. Alarmingly, even this relatively brief period under sugar’s sway has a detrimental effect on Gameau physically and psychologically. It’s enough to make you drop your chop-top. To his credit, neither Gameau nor his movie come off as sanctimonious or scolding; That Sugar Film is a smart, articulate exercise in awareness-raising.