Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
Average Rating: 8/10
Reviews Counted: 117
Fresh: 112 | Rotten: 5
A fascinating portrait of a forgotten musical pioneer, Searching for Sugar Man is by turns informative and mysterious.
Average Rating: 8/10
Critic Reviews: 32
Fresh: 31 | Rotten: 1
A fascinating portrait of a forgotten musical pioneer, Searching for Sugar Man is by turns informative and mysterious.
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Average Rating: 4.4/5
User Ratings: 14,398
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Movie Info
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 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
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All Critics (123) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (113) | Rotten (5) | 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.
Top CriticThe search for a long-lost pop icon has an unexpected payoff.
[A] moving, lyrical account ...
Director Malik Bendjelloul's engaging, cleverly structured documentary about the legendary folk singer Rodriguez is shaped like a mystery.
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.
If you like music, a good mystery or, better yet, a combination of both, you won't be disappointed.
Intriguing docu about missing musician; some language, pot.
As a documentary, "Searching for Sugar Man" falls short, but as an enormously satisfying feel-good story it hits the mark.
You can still enjoy the film. I did, but it's nothing more than a fairy tale.
[Rodriguez] is a highly unusual and fascinating human being, and Searching for Sugar Man is a very interesting look at his life, his music, and the strange, fickle nature of fame.
There's no arguing this is a remarkable story, and director Malik Bendjelloul tells it beautifully, creating a powerful sense of mystery and discovery even when we're tipped off to how the story ends.
A nimble and engaging documentary, less about a man than about a myth -- and about the experience of loving an under-loved artist.
'Searching For Sugar Man' simply shouts out for celebration!
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Foreign Titles
- Sugar Man (FR)
