Clevercell Very disappointing...

Unlimitedia Sick Product of a Sick System

Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Sandy Searching for Sugar Man is not a documentary to read about before you see it. And I'm glad I managed to avoid all information in the Swedish media since the premier. So in order to not give way to much of the action, you only get this information, Rodriguez released two albums on American companies 1970-71. Both "sink like a stone" and he laid down his career. A number of years later, his music becomes a huge success in the closed and boycotted South Africa where apartheid ruled. Rodriguez finally sold platinum and was as big as The Beatles in South Africa. But nobody told that to Rodriguez, who was seen as a rebel and inspiration for South African musicians, who opposed Botha's apartheid regime. But they had no idea who Rodrigues was. So two fans decide to find out what happened to their big idol. And it does not seem to have gone According to one rumor he poured gasoline over himself during a performance, and burned up. And according to another rumor, he shot himself in the head at the end of a really bad gig. It really made me sick when I saw the film in a nearly empty theater in Hallstavik (located 10 milesoutside Stockholm), because what causes a person to do something that tragic? And another thing that I was wondering about was where I could find the music. And as it seems right now, when I write this review, you have to buy the movie's soundtrack on CD. It has been removed from Spotify in Sweden

alejandraeee Picture having the lyricism and inspiring ability to strum melodies powerful enough to lead thousands through a dark period of oppression. Sixto Rodriguez's powerful music did just that when it reached the youth of South Africa during the movement against the discriminatory system of racial segregation known as the Apartheid. Despite his popularity reaching greater lengths than even Elvis at the time, Rodriguez had no idea of his fame. Similarly, his fans knew very little of him and was believed to have committed suicide as a result of his mysterious persona. While he lived a modest life in Detroit, loyal fans such as Stephen "Sugar" Segerman constantly searched to find out more about their long lost hero. Malik Bendjelloul's Searching for Sugar Man (2012) follows the search for Rodriguez, a man with a very distinguishable walk, who was deprived of his fame and fortune due to geographical barriers and under appreciation of art. The film skillfully uses Rodriguez's music as the soundtrack and dramatic silence to trigger an emotional response. This manipulation of sound allows viewers to form a connection and relate to those that his music impacted (they were also really good songs). The leitmotif of the song Sugarman ties the film together and ultimately brings a sense of familiarity. The film is able to capture Rodriguez's humility through the words of those that are closest to him. The use of animated visuals in what appears to be slight slow motion keeps the audience engaged by setting the tone and "flowing" with his music. The viewer was also kept visually intrigued by the mixing of camera strategy throughout the film. Simple camera work depicted the realness of the documentary while the noticeably old recordings of his performances added to the overall artistic appeal of the film. Bendjelloul proved that simplicity and authenticity can bring forth well deserved success, much like it did for Rodriguez.

marymargaretmfavia "Searching for Sugar Man", an academy award winning documentary and mystery all rolled into one tells the unusual story of a man whose music was incredibly successful told mainly by a man known as "Sugar".Sixto Rodriguez, more commonly known as Rodriguez was a pioneer to anti-establishment lyrics, became very popular in South Africa during their revolution in the 1970s. Although his music was well known, he was not. Rodriguez was a mysterious man of few words. As stated in the film, ironically his first album was named "Cold Fact" but it was nearly impossible to find a cold fact about him. Even the people who played with him did not know him very well. One of the most intriguing elements of the documentary is that is music was extremely popular in South Africa, but living in the United States, he had no idea. There were suspicions that Rodriguez had been scammed out of the royalties that he should have been receiving every time he sold an album. Rumors flew around that Rodriguez had killed himself. The hunt to find out why this mystery man committed suicide ends in a way no one could have foreseen. This film encases such wild turns of events that it will leave you wanting to know about Rodriguez even after watching the film.

CSauc ***SPOILER ALERT*** Searching for Sugar Man, directed by the late Malik Bendjelloul, tells a story that would be considered a modern fairy tale. Rodriguez is introduced as a mystery, a prophet, and untraceable man. The mystery is built up by using low key lighting, shadows, and foggy images. Sound is used to create an eerie feeling, build up excitement, or lack of sound highlights the importance of a scene. Playing Rodriguez's actual soundtrack, makes the audience realize the true beauty in his music, and wonder why he never made it in the music industry. While the audience wants the mystery to remain unsolved, it is slowly revealed that he is in fact not dead, but alive. Even though his story is unraveled, Rodriguez is still portrayed as mysterious by not showing his full face often, wearing sunglasses, dark clothes, and by following him to places without destinations. This beautiful story is effectively told by using real footage and cartoon animations, not only to keep the audience interested, but also to make the beginning of the film a puzzle. The lack of filters, mise-en-scene, and costuming add to Rodriguez's down to earth persona and authenticity, making it difficult not to like him.Despite Rodriguez's failures, he persevered and continued taking chances, knowing he may not succeed, such as becoming mayor. Rodriguez was not hindered by his failures, he went right back to work and carried good morale; he showed his daughters that even though life had dealt him bad cards, there was still a bigger and better world. Not only does it show the power of perseverance, but it makes you feel tiny; Rodriguez was a legend, but lived his life as a "failed" American rock star. This film highlights the importance of accepting failures, not allowing them to hinder your life and that the world is a much bigger place.