Director Jamal Hill showcases his talents in Sugar Baby, the latest film from the streaming network BET+. The film opens by introducing us to the world of sugaring. Angel (played by Teresa Celeste) and her sugar daddy, Drew (Lawrence Clark-Bey), are hosting a party where millionaire Anthony (Lance Gross) wants to relax and enjoy a game of poker. From the beginning, it's evident that Anthony stands out from the other men present and soon decides to leave the gathering.
We then meet petty thugs G-Ro (T.J. Atoms) and Hakeem (Trey Dawson) after their latest heist. On the other side of town, G-Ro's girlfriend, Jade, waits to get picked up by G-Ro, who is late as usual. After he finally picks her up, and they have a date night, he soon finds himself in jail, and Jade is forced to move back in with their mother. Naturally, as fate would have, Jade gets a job working at Angel's restaurant, and a series of events leads to Jade meeting and falling in love with Anthony. However, when G-Ro is released, Jade finds a crossroads between her past and a future she never anticipated.
One of the first things viewers should know about Sugar Baby is that the film never tries to explore the emotional ramifications of Jade's choices. She doesn't become addicted to drugs, Anthony isn't into kinky sex or abuse, etc. Instead, director Jamal Hill lays it out early on with a speech from Angel about why the girls do what they do and then chooses to focus on the budding romance between Jade and Anthony.
Yes, Jade has some initial trepidation about the lifestyle, but Anthony quickly wins her over. Christina Cooper does what is required of the role as a naive, good girl who earnestly accepts her new lifestyle but never loses focus on who she is. Her chemistry with Gross is organic and believable, portraying the complexities of their relationship—part mentor, part benefactor, and, ultimately, something more poignant.
Some viewers may scrutinize the film since it doesn't incorporate subtle social commentaries on gender dynamics and economic disparity. If the creative team had chosen to delve deeper, they could have raised profound questions, such as: Is financial security worth compromising emotional authenticity? Is love genuinely unconditional when financial burdens come into play?
One plot point involving Jade, her mother, and her younger sister is left unresolved, and I wish it had been better addressed. Fortunately, the soundtrack features melodic undertones that enhance key emotional moments without overwhelming the narrative, which helps offset the previously mentioned issues.
As the film approaches its climax, tension escalates when Jade's boyfriend is released from prison, forcing her to confront her choices and the diverging paths ahead of her. T.J. Atoms tends to overact during the climax, but I suppose he needed a significant moment in the film.
Despite its flaws and clichés, Sugar Baby is a worthwhile addition to director Jamal Hill's filmography and a harmless one-time watch for fans of Lance Gross.
Final Grade: C+
Sugar Baby is available to stream now on BET +
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