Sugar Rush
2005
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
The story
Sugar Rush is an Emmy Award–winning British television comedy drama series developed by Shine Limited and broadcast by Channel 4, based on the Julie Burchill novel of the same name. It follows the trials and tribulations of teenager Kim Daniels, who is dealing with all the usual adolescent issues, plus one - she thinks she might be gay. Her family has recently moved to Brighton from London, and she finds herself with a huge crush on her new best friend, Maria `Sugar' Sweet. Sugar has a bit of a wild side, and frequently gets Kim into trouble, though Kim can find trouble on her own as well. Despite attractions to other girls, and a few attempts at being interested in guys, Kim continues to long for Sugar.
What it’s like
Bright seaside light and cluttered teenage bedrooms give this British comedy drama a lively, slightly scruffy look, with Brighton's pebble beach and pier glimpsed between close, restless shots that stay near the characters. The soundtrack is loud and pop-driven, all bedroom stereos and street-corner energy, and the humour arrives in dry, deadpan lines followed by sudden, wincing pauses. The vibe is cheeky and bittersweet, well suited to a lazy afternoon or a night in with a friend who wants to laugh and cringe at once. Its arcs follow a teenage girl's fizzy infatuation with her best friend, tangled up with bad decisions and a hunger to belong. The tone stays wry and warm while letting the heartache sting. Intensity is moderate: teenage drinking, smoking, reckless behaviour, frank talk about sex and crushes, and some kissing, with no graphic sexual content and only occasional rough moments rather than real violence. It is for viewers who want a funny, honest coming-out story with a British edge and an unsentimental heart.
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