Searching for Sugar Man

Name: Searching for Sugar Man
Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary
Released: June 29, 2012
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Rodriguez

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 93 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 93 Ratings

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Searching For Sugar Man

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: June 29, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Rodriguez

Summary: Searching for Sugar Man tells the incredible true story of Rodriguez, the greatest '70s rock icon who never was. Discovered in a Detroit bar in the late '60s by two celebrated producers struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics, they recorded an album which they believed would secure his reputation as the greatest recording artistSearching for Sugar Man tells the incredible true story of Rodriguez, the greatest '70s rock icon who never was. Discovered in a Detroit bar in the late '60s by two celebrated producers struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics, they recorded an album which they believed would secure his reputation as the greatest recording artist of his generation. In fact, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon. The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation leads them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez. (Sony Pictures Classics)… Expand

Director: Malik Bendjelloul

Genre(s): Biography, Music, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 86 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mike Scott

Oct 19, 2012

All music docs are not created equal. Yes, some are formulaic. But some are beautiful, some are singular, some are marvels of storytelling. And some, like Searching for Sugar Man, are all three. Read full review

100

Claudia Puig

Jul 26, 2012

A musical detective story, this enthralling documentary focuses on a little-known American musician whose haunting voice and poetic lyrics were essentially unknown in his own country, but had a massive impact across the globe. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Sep 20, 2012

Rodriguez' inner peace wins us over. He seems to have enjoyed recording music, fathering kids, cleaning houses, playing sold-out gigs and simply strumming a guitar in his kitchen. Searching for Sugar Man reminds us that a wise man knows lasting riches are never the result of record sales. Read full review

Matt Glasby

Jul 23, 2012

The tale is better than the telling – and the soundtrack's better still – but music this monumental demands its moment. Now go and buy the album. Read full review

Movieline Michelle Orange

Jul 28, 2012

Sugar Man is most interesting when it touches on the conditions that combined to draw a cult hero out of some decent music and a generously enabled, imagination-firing mystique. Read full review

Dennis Harvey

Jun 26, 2012

A winning musical detective story about a failed, forgotten early '70s rocker. Read full review

Justin Lowe

Jun 26, 2012

While all the interview subjects are enthusiastic, the overall lack of familiarity with Rodriquez's personal background and career collapse begin to drag. Read full review

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User Reviews

elleno

Sep 1, 2012

Love this documentary! I'd never heard of Rodriguez and was completely engrossed. A really fascinating story from beginning to end. Do not miss this one.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Spanky

Mar 20, 2013

Probably the best documentary I have ever seen. 'Nuff said. Since a review needs to be a ridiculous 150 characters long, here's the rest.....best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen, bestProbably the best documentary I have ever seen. 'Nuff said. Since a review needs to be a ridiculous 150 characters long, here's the rest.....best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen, best documentary I have ever seen.… Expand