NOTES ON ALLISON ANDERS SUGAR TOWN

Allison Anders's film Sugar Town (1999) portrays the playground that is starting to sour for the jaded celebrities. In her hollow recitation of precepts for a better life, the newcomer Gwen mimics the Liz's search for spiritual harmony and personal realization. "It's just as easy to have rich friends as poor ones." Gwen has indeed obtained the key into the world of celebrity when she claims the song "Sleep Therapy" as her own. Bert's facile acquiescence to her indicates how readily the L.A. music scene feeds on its own self-destructiveness. Her guide to success has achieved its goal by creating the necessary belief to supplement what had formerly been her desperation. From a series of misguided attempts, she forms a somewhat incoherent plan that ends up being the perfect formula to achieve fame. Anders mocks her vision; Gwen cleans the house in heels and a stylish skirt and blouse and uses the vacuum cleaner as her mic in her Madonna imitation. From her initial contact with Eva to her referral to be Liz's cleaning woman to the meeting of Bert to her intimidation of her junkie songwriter, Gwen has been relentless in trying to accomplish her design. Over and over again, the mimic shows herself indistinguishable from the real thing.

Gwen reverses personal dynamics of Liz. She makes people like Bert want to give her something. Liz is a conduit. They pass through her in hopes of gaining other contacts. That is why she is so susceptible to Gwen's influence. On the other hand, Gwen encourages celebrity. Still, there is something rather pathetic in a her dance routine as she tries to attain the realities of stage performance. This underlines the intense gap that separates the fan from the actual performer. What appears to bridge that chasm is the "sugar". It enables the producer's art to transform Gwen into a rising star. This taste of fame is what motivates Gwen. It is the same taste that the band treasures.

Sugar Town is not beyond suggesting that there is an actual appeal that sustains the sweet vision of celebrity. In contrast, Anders wishes for a clear cut resolution to the dilemmas of the star-struck. Carl is only temporarily dazzled by the charms of Rosio. But their seduction seems very real and is complimented by their musical connection. The hotel room is way too tempting for him. In terms of Anders moral lesson, Carl's realization of his need to return to his wife Kate seems natural. But Anders has already taken the audience through all the allure of the seduction. Rosio or Gwen may seem all too cold in their characterizations, but much of this imagery is due to Anders underlying intent. However, the moral predicaments only accentuate the overall appeal of celebrity.

The band clings to their lifeline to celebrity. Since they fear being exiled back in the everyday world, a rather bizarre dilemma is created for Nick. He needs to court the affections of a wealthy patron, Jane. The cult of youth is mixed with that of celebrity. This attachment is emphasized by his humiliation by a couple of autograph seekers. Anders is willing to indulge in this association as she leads the audience in the rather seductive glances of the two women. On the other hand, Nick is made up to look somewhat clownish. This ends up being a turning point as he decides to engage the assignation with Jane. That scene mixes velvet and leopard-skin prints to suggest stabs at the unusual which have become only all too familiar to the level of satire. The resolution can be taken no more seriously as Jane's sexual "wisdom" is the result of her being a former call girl. She has gained her wealth by a notorious performance of her own.

Even while extending her lesson, Anders further gratifies a taste for the unusual. Clive still attracts a legion of fans to his door. Nerve is a product of his adventures on the road. Anders tempers these extremes with Clive's and Eva's new role as parents. Clive invites Nerve to a home-recording session. Eva bakes some instant cookies with him or takes him to see a special effects artist. But even in this case, she is playing Candy, a horror movie actress. The lesson is possible only with the sweetening. The drugs emphasize the characters' emotions as part of a performance. This results in the link between fan and performer since the performer can act out the fan's emotions in a public and more intense fashion. To let down that intensity is to lose the essence of celebrity. As long as the performer can maintain that high, the next success is always around the corner. Recovery only serves as a further stage of the public performance of identity. Gwen's story of the "girl in the mental hospital who no one understands" captures the depths so easily mined by the song "Sleep Therapy". An absorbing massage or self-defense class provides the clue for self understanding. For every moment of depression, there is strategic shift in the identity and a moment of further delight.