Based on the true story of the life and times and love affair of mobster Sam Giancana and America's songbird, Phyllis McGuire. Their too public relationship and tense atmosphere of the times could put an end to her career ... more »- and his life!« less
Super strong start but then started to fizzle out a bit. Interesting story assuming it was true.
Movie Reviews
Really A Thrill
Jennifer Baker | Menlo Park, Ca | 08/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a great movie. I loved everything about it. Mary Louise Parker has never been more radiant. In this movie, she has it all: talent, attitude, romance, and a little humor on the side. And speaking of wornderful performances, John Turturro gives, in my opinion, one of his best. We love to hate him and he makes being a gangster seem glamorous and suprisingly ethical. The added "gansta" crimes only add to the plot of this movie, as does the story of the stunning McGuire sisters. By the end you with laugh and cry and flat out have a good time. It is a nice change from all of the other garbage around. Excellent!"
Sugartime is a Goodtime
Phillip Connors | Las Vegas | 06/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sugartime is an interesting and entertaining movie. It is most interesting when Mary-Louise Parker is on screen. She is prim and beautiful and is a perfect offset to Turturro's portrayal of Sam Giancana. The movie tries its best to place historical references to Kennedy, Hoover, et al. Sugartime is an excellent choice for a fun, enjoyable evening."
A great historical love story.
Cathleen M. Walker | Massachusetts | 05/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this movie! It's fun, piquant, thoughtful, provocative. This movie was my introduction to John Turturro, a delightful actor with a thoughtful presence. In spite of the character of the mobster Sam Giancana, I could see the soft, lovable side of him that Phyllis Maguire simply could not walk away from. I could even see his integrity: in spite of being offered complete immunity, he refused to talk once he was arrested.
Maguire's denial about Giancana's "work" was palpable - as was his own. I could not believe I could find them an adorable couple - and yet I did. I've been a Mary-Louise Parker fan since Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, Angels in America and Weeds. This is a side of her I had not ever seen. She's delicious. A great, historical love story.
Fried Green Tomatoes (Widescreen Collector's Edition)"
Entertaining but also insulting
Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 11/11/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It's an excellently done film with a strong script, outstanding actors and acting, great cinematography and obviously a hefty budget. But though "based on a true story" it misses the mark on the McGuire Sisters by several country miles. Phyllis was never the sultry, conniving, sexpot portrayed here. She was, and is, very much in the All American mode. She happened to fall in love with a gangster. It's that simple. He wasn't handsome, he wasn't a great mind but had a charm and sincere love for her that captured her. To her credit she never denied knowing him or his being her friend even when it would have been easy to do just that. The film also portrays Christine and Dorothy as two dumbos when in real life the McGuires were smart, disciplined and extremely talented. They still are! They also were and are devoted to their families. In the film they are portrayed as if they hardly could hold a conversation. In real life they are warm, classy, charistmatic ladies. Just to set it all straight."
I highly recommend this DVD.
A. Silvia | RI USA | 02/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This made for HBO movie is one of my many favorites. The acting is top notch and the mixture of music, humor and mob violence are rolled into one well scripted story."