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A fascinating portrait of a forgotten musical pioneer, Searching for Sugar Man is by turns informative and mysterious.
All Critics (126) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (119) | Rotten (7) | DVD (1)
At 85 minutes, it's a tight, sharp achievement, yet one of the things I love about it is simple: It moves to a relaxed rhythm, in sync with its slightly otherworldly subject. Jan 7, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
At 85 minutes, it's a tight, sharp achievement, yet one of the things I love about it is simple: It moves to a relaxed rhythm, in sync with its slightly otherworldly subject.
Michael Phillips
The search for a long-lost pop icon has an unexpected payoff. Sep 21, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
The search for a long-lost pop icon has an unexpected payoff.
John Anderson
[A] moving, lyrical account ... Sep 17, 2012 | Full Review…
[A] moving, lyrical account ...
Ken Marks
It starts as a bittersweet parable about the cruelty of commerce, but the wonder of "Searching for Sugar Man" will not soon slip away. Sep 13, 2012 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
It starts as a bittersweet parable about the cruelty of commerce, but the wonder of "Searching for Sugar Man" will not soon slip away.
Joe Williams
Director Malik Bendjelloul's engaging, cleverly structured documentary about the legendary folk singer Rodriguez is shaped like a mystery. Sep 13, 2012 | Rating: 3/4
Director Malik Bendjelloul's engaging, cleverly structured documentary about the legendary folk singer Rodriguez is shaped like a mystery.
Rene Rodriguez
You watch "Searching for Sugar Man" at first fascinated by the mystery - what happened to Rodriguez? Where did he go? Then you become infuriated by its revelations of financial injustice. Aug 23, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4
You watch "Searching for Sugar Man" at first fascinated by the mystery - what happened to Rodriguez? Where did he go? Then you become infuriated by its revelations of financial injustice.
Moira MacDonald
A heart-warming documentary about holding onto your dreams -- and perhaps one of this year's most enjoyable and accomplished films. Jan 30, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A heart-warming documentary about holding onto your dreams -- and perhaps one of this year's most enjoyable and accomplished films.
Patrick Gamble
It is the model of the modern music documentary, which shines a well-deserved light on obscure artists or periods of their lives, and presents it in a way that appeals to broader audiences than mere music obsessives. Oct 9, 2018 | Full Review…
It is the model of the modern music documentary, which shines a well-deserved light on obscure artists or periods of their lives, and presents it in a way that appeals to broader audiences than mere music obsessives.
Benjamin H. Smith
The best, most touching, most humbling documentary I've ever seen about a musician I've never heard of. Aug 31, 2018 | Full Review…
The best, most touching, most humbling documentary I've ever seen about a musician I've never heard of.
Deborah Ross
Whether or not you know what finally happened to the film's subject, the reality is as rewarding as the myth. Aug 30, 2018 | Full Review…
Whether or not you know what finally happened to the film's subject, the reality is as rewarding as the myth.
Pat Padua
It becomes a portrait of a man who outlasted his times and went on to live in peace... Feb 21, 2018 | Full Review…
It becomes a portrait of a man who outlasted his times and went on to live in peace...
Steve Erickson
Director Malik Bendjelloul attempts clear the air and really analyze the thoughts and emotions that formed Sixto Rodriguez's past work. Jan 26, 2018 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Director Malik Bendjelloul attempts clear the air and really analyze the thoughts and emotions that formed Sixto Rodriguez's past work.
Kiko Martinez
Quiet but heartwarming documentary about an American folk musician of the 1970s who was later believed to be dead in South Africa, the only country he had a huge success in without ever hearing about it. Sounds curious? It is. But a really sweet story only life could come up with.
Super Reviewer
A surprising and extremely moving documentary that begins as a fascinating mystery and then grows to become a revealing true story about a star who never was but who ironically became a major idol in South Africa - influencing a whole generation without even knowing about it.
A riveting, incredible documentary about the talented musician Rodriguez and how, after two hit albums in the 1970's, disappeared seemingly into thin air. After two of his biggest fans decide to attempt to track him down even though rumors persist that he's dead, they stumble upon more parts to their hero's amazing true story. This is a story that is almost too special to believe it is true, but the film strikes a genuine tone that is as interested as the viewer to get to the bottom of this mysterious man. Without revealing too much, this is one of the best documentaries made in quite some time, close to perfect. A must-see for any music fan or avid follower of documentaries.
Maybe a must watch for the hardcore fans of Sixto Rodriguez, but to me (never heard the guy's name before; gave it a shot simply because the documentary synopsis had a mystic touch to it), it's as watchable as skipable. The first half is quite interesting, but then it (understandably) gets repetitive. Might have liked it better had it being cut to the chase ;-)
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