Sugar Daddy is a 2020 Canadian drama film, directed by Wendy Morgan.[1] The film stars Kelly McCormack as Darren, a talented but struggling young singer-songwriter who decides to sign up for a paid dating service to make extra money.[2]
| Sugar Daddy | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Wendy Morgan |
| Written by | Kelly McCormack |
| Produced by | Lori Lozinski Lauren Grant Kelly McCormack |
| Starring | Kelly McCormack Colm Feore |
| Cinematography | Kristin Fieldhouse |
| Edited by | Christine Armstrong |
| Music by | Marie-Hélène Delorme |
Production companies | Clique Pictures Violator Films Floyder Films |
| Distributed by | LevelFilm Blue Fox Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
The film has its world premiere at the 2020 Whistler Film Festival,[3] and was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, winning two.[4]
Plot edit
The film follows Darren, a 20-something fledgling musician who signs up for a paid dating service to fund her creative projects.[2]
Cast edit
- Kelly McCormack as Darren
- Colm Feore as Gordon
- Amanda Brugel as Nancy
- Aaron Ashmore as Angus
- Nicholas Campbell as Jim
- Noam Jenkins as Edward
- Ishan Davé as Peter
- Hilary McCormack as Rae
- Kaniehtiio Horn as Jenny
- Jess Salgueiro as Angela
- Tony Nappo as Don
- Rob Stewart as Bill
- Michelle Morgan as Sarah
- Andy McQueen as Jeffrey
- Roger Barnes as law office boss
- Paula Boudreau as Kathy
- Richard Blackburn as uncle Max
- Carmelita Blondet as shop owner
- Amrish Patel as Dan
- Natalie Boutari as Don's girlfriend
- Vickie Papavs as Linda
- Kevin Claydon as Kyle
- Jennifer Hui as Stephanie
- Ted Jefferies as businessman
- Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah as Tanish
- Richard Walters as Danny
Release and awards edit
The film premiered at the 2020 Whistler Film Festival,[3] where McCormack received an honorable mention for the Borsos Competition award for best performance in a Canadian film, and won the One to Watch award.[5]
The film received three Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, for Best Supporting Actor (Feore), Best Editing (Christine Armstrong), and Best Original Song (Marie-Hélène L. Delorme for "Timid Joyous Atrocious").[4]
Morgan won the DGC Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film from the Directors Guild of Canada in October 2021.[6]
Reception edit
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film has a score of 100% based on reviews from 13 critics, with an average 7.8/10 rating.[7] Based of 5 critics on Metacritic, the film have a score of 78 out of a 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8]
Amil Niazi of The Globe and Mail wrote "Sugar Daddy will be gripping viewing for anyone who wonders what it takes to make it - and whether it's all worth it in the end".[9]
Bobby LePire of Film Threat praised the film's "outstanding writing, stylish, dazzling direction, and a breathtaking, radiant performance from Kelly McCormack", adding that "the drama never lets the audience go and proves to be a searing examination of its young protagonist and the society she lives in".[10]
References edit
- ^ Jordan Currie, (March 30, 2021)"'Sugar Daddy' Reshapes Conversations About Sex Work". Exclaim!.
- ^ a b Etan Vlessing, "Colm Feore, Kelly McCormack to Topline Untitled Sugar Daddy Drama". The Hollywood Reporter, March 11, 2019.
- ^ a b Victoria Ahearn, "Whistler Film Festival to open with 'Sugar Daddy,' 'In Her City'". CityNews, November 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Brent Furdyk, "Canadian Screen Awards Announces 2021 Film Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.
- ^ Craig Takeuchi, "Whistler Film Festival 2020 award winners: From B.C.'s Indian Road Trip to Newfoundland's Little Orphans". The Georgia Straight, December 21, 2020.
- ^ Nick Krewen, "Directors Guild of Canada reveals feature, doc and short film winners". Playback, October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Sugar Daddy (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ "Sugar Daddy (2021)". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Niazi, Amil (April 8, 2021). "Kelly McCormack's hypnotizing performance turns Sugar Daddy into sticky, gripping drama". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ "Sugar Daddy". Film Threat. April 7, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
