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Searching for Sugar Man
Searching for Sugar Man
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Searching for Sugar Man

Searching for Sugar Man

2012
Documentary
1h 26m
Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock 'n' roller, Rodriguez. (imdb)

Searching for Sugar Man

2012
Documentary
1h 26m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 71.2% from 1494 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1506)
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Rated 15 Jul 2012
95
99th
It's been many years since a documentary has affected me as deeply as this one. Growing up in South Africa in the seventies, "Cold Fact" was part of the air we breathed. I was very lucky to go into this knowing nothing of Rodriguez' story, aside from that he made the album that everyone had - you owe it to yourself to see this, and see it cold.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
60
61st
Spoilerz: Very well constructed, but read the 1981 liner notes to his live album and tell me that a good portion of the movie isn't dishonest mythologizing. http://sugarman.org/alive.html#sleeve
Rated 03 Dec 2012
85
93rd
Too bad that we don't get to meet "Volkswagen Frank".
Rated 19 Oct 2012
90
90th
I never thought I was going too see a music documentary as good as 'Anvil' again but the source material here is absolutely fantastic and the film packs an emotional punch like only a select few. As a bonus feature 'Searching for Sugar Man', besides bringing Rodriguez' great music to a mass audience, presents those of us who never really cared for newspaper music critics' glorification of Bob Dylan or were that interested in where John Lennon spent his honeymoon, with a real working class hero.
Rated 03 Apr 2016
80
73rd
(SCORE FOR MUSIC ALONE) Thanks a lot for airbrushing the success that Rodriguez had with his music in Australia completely out of this "documentary", which I can only assume was to "enhance" the emotionally manipulative narrative. By no means should that fact take centre stage, but it would've in no way detracted from the story of Rodriguez in South Africa. Also, with a backdrop of South Africa, apartheid, censorship... and you fucking morons make a myth out of perfectly awesome facts? Fuck you.
Rated 19 Mar 2013
40
26th
Feel-good documentary on the arbitrariness of celebrity. While the story may rely on revealing its "surprises", actually the structure of the documentary itself, and its "emotional journey" approach, is completely predictable and utterly conventional. Film comes across as somewhat untrustworthy, and for more than one reason. In short, has the air of a con job, but I guess the Academy bought it.
Rated 28 Feb 2013
86
95th
Artistically, this might be the perfect documentary. Well-paced and interesting from start to finish with great songs by the mysterious Rodriguez. I could have wished for a little more in-deph analasys of him and his family, but the film tries to maintain the feeling of him being a mythic character.
Rated 19 Aug 2021
80
74th
The story told here is an artifact of a seemingly distant era where music, no matter how popular or obscure couldn't be retrieved upon impulse without leaving one's own home. It was chosen and disseminated by record labels. An era where knowledge couldn't be retrieved on a whim. For those of us who are old enough to relate, this is a story of unlikely triumph on multiple levels, and whether you like the music or not, it's a fascinating story and well made documentary.
Rated 04 Aug 2019
70
73rd
Nice story, but maybe a bit overdramatized.
Rated 12 Nov 2017
90
87th
What an incredible story. So touching, so bitter-sweet, so inexplicable. As heart-wrenchingly beautiful as his music.
Rated 07 Dec 2016
6
52nd
Enjoyed the story and music. Feel like more could of been done here.
Rated 18 Oct 2014
70
44th
Worth it for the music. Rodriguez, and the smoke and mirrors around his life, is a captivating person. As a documentary, Bendjelloul seems to have fallen too much in love with his topic and while it never gets dull, it does celebrate more than study.
Rated 22 Apr 2014
70
65th
Above average doc with really great music.
Rated 30 Aug 2013
76
43rd
An unusually highly polished documentary about an ex-musician. The structure is 100% by-the-book - talking heads, abstract footage - and the subject is just about interesting enough to keep me tuned in. Ultimately though, the mystery element of the search is disappointingly brief, and I felt that a wider range of interviewees could have given a more three-dimensional picture of Rodriguez's life and career. A gentle, easy film which makes a nice impression despite its lack of intrigue or grit.
Rated 24 Jul 2013
60
72nd
Inspiring story of a man who's both an icon and a zero, depending on the geography. Great music too.
Rated 24 Jun 2013
86
84th
Despite the documentary using a certain amount of sleight of hand to create tension it's a very captivating and well told story.
Rated 09 May 2013
80
77th
Totally ignore all the tours this movie didnt mention and its pretty good.
Rated 22 Apr 2013
9
90th
Wonderful documentary, made me feel like an adventurer stumbling across a lost treasure of untold wealth. I knew absolutely nothing about the individual nor the musician prior to seeing this but walked away moved, enlivened and inspired. Suuugaaarmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan...
Rated 06 Apr 2013
68
26th
While I had great expectations for this "documentary", I was greatly disappointed. It came off more as VH! behind the music segment or just blatant promotion to push record sales by conjuring up new interest in this "mysterious", "mythical" legend than a true documentary. After some research I did found out that much was purposely omitted to heighten the emotional response to the film. And the few facts that were revealed were somewhat distorted. I am not surprised it won an oscar.
Rated 08 Mar 2013
90
96th
Now this is a story.
Rated 07 Mar 2013
82
88th
An extraordinarily passionate and vibrant account of a man -- or prophet, or spirit, or just working-class hero -- who seemed to be lost in a typically tragic, rock'n'roll-like and mythical suicide, but who was actually alive all the time, happy in his anonymous and absolute simple life. But one of the things that amazed me the most was the sense of lost information that this documentary provides, to the extent that, in some point, I felt just happy because I've got to know his songs.
Rated 23 Jan 2013
80
91st
I was mildly familiar with Rodriguez's music before the doc, but didn't know the story behind it. What a story it is! You couldn't make this shit up. Very riveting, and it helps that he is actually a great musician.
Rated 07 Jan 2013
80
84th
The soundtrack is the real discovery.
Rated 08 Oct 2012
85
92nd
One of the finest music documentaries i've ever seen. First of all, yes it's overtly constructed, which unfortunately adds to the impression that the "real" linear plot development could have been avoided, which makes you wonder "are these people really that stupid, or just passionate?". But, fortunately, the music makes up for all the small flaws here and there and in the end it's an incredibly touching film.
Rated 18 Sep 2012
65
32nd
An interesting story stuck in a mediocre documentary.
Rated 30 Dec 2022
86
79th
For me, it's Crucify Your Mind.
Rated 27 Dec 2022
80
64th
Procurando Sugar Man estreava há 10 anos na França. Acho que estou dando 4 estrelas por todo o conjunto da situação do que pelo filme em si, pelo Rodriguez e pelo Malik que lutou muito pra fazer esse filme, foi coroado em diversas premiações e mesmo assim se suicidou em 2014. Todas as histórias das pessoas que envolvem esse filme são muito impressionantes. DVD Versátil.
Rated 28 Jul 2022
2
21st
Rated 28 Nov 2021
80
63rd
Intriguing ostensible study of Rodriguez and his rise and voluntary withdrawal from fame; the film suffers a little bit because, as Rodriguez himself is something of an inscrutable cipher, there's a lack of focus or centre to the narrative, somewhat muting the emotional impact. As a paean to fandom, and a record of Segerman's obsessive quest, it is a likable and even quietly inspirational journey.
Rated 29 Mar 2020
86
78th
Heartwarming and incredible story and definitely recommend. I always judge 'based on a true story' and documentaries a little tougher, but my only gripe is an important detail is left out, that he had a bit of success in Australia.
Rated 25 Dec 2019
95
89th
nicely done
Rated 23 Feb 2019
68
44th
Is it about Rodriguez himself, how his story resembles the rise and fall of great American cities -the one he lives in included-, how his songs and lyrics filled the imagination and excitation of a whole -not wholly whole back then- country or how a couple of people played detective and found him to fly him over to give a couple of concerts and go from having a jewellery shop to having a record store. For Malik, so unfortunately, it seems like the second one.
Rated 05 Dec 2018
7
73rd
Engaging, inspiring and very moving.
Rated 27 Mar 2018
86
96th
Great documentary, very great work as both story telling and biopic. Im really impressed by both Rodrigez and the storyboard type of mysterious narrative of the documentary. It was a special thing for me.
Rated 22 Mar 2018
88
92nd
The opening of the window.
Rated 09 Oct 2017
75
76th
9.10.17
Rated 24 May 2017
60
42nd
Would be an excellent documentary if not for how much it distorts the truth and leaves out extremely important information to benefit its narrative.
Rated 22 Oct 2016
68
11th
Overrated, and very bizarre IMHO to have so little of the man himself actually talk.
Rated 16 Aug 2016
90
97th
Give me pop culture meshing into mythology (yes, even if it's 'myth-making') and you'll have me forever content.
Rated 20 Mar 2016
90
85th
Falls du den Film noch nicht gesehen hast, hol das heute nach am Sonntag! Du hast es dir verdient, genauso wie ich, solch eine wundervolle Geschichte zu erleben!(...) die ganze Rezension sowie die für uns interessantesten Musik Dokus auf der Webpage unserer Videothek cinegeek.de
Rated 02 May 2015
87
86th
Searching for Sugar Man is a near-perfect blend of film making and fact-based documentary. It is a story of a musician who unknowingly inspired a generation of young people in the racially divided South Africa, while remaining virtually unknown in his native United States. The movie is uplifting, beautiful and heart-wrenching. It creates an entertaining narrative while never playing fast and loose with facts. The story is a proof that there are forces of good at work in our universe.
Rated 06 Mar 2015
84
89th
It's a film about people finding each other and connecting through art despite some unbelievable obstacles. Most astonishingly, it manages to be totally unpretentious and genuine. Also a great music film since you don't have to understand or even like the actual music (although I did), it's more about the connection between artist and his audience. Dramatically well constructed and sophisticatedly stylized. Inspiring stuff.
Rated 03 Feb 2015
75
64th
The style shifts made me knit my brows sometimes.
Rated 11 Jan 2015
83
87th
One of those stories almost too incredible to be true. And if it's true... why isn't it more well-known? Loved it.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
60
64th
a nice heartwarming story. Was a bit disappointed when I learnt that all was not quite as presented but still, nice.
Rated 19 Oct 2014
80
83rd
A gifted artist that you have never heard about. He sounds a lot like many of his contemporary artists, and finally got a little recognition in South Africa where his message resonated more than it did in the US. Full of good music and a man with an interesting history. I especially liked how he handles his long overdue fame, and gives all the money away. Awesome guy. I'd like to hear more of his music. It is also a commentary about injustice and prejudice the US music business.
Rated 16 Oct 2014
98
98th
Must see. Starts out slow but hang in there about 35 minutes. It starts picking up.
Rated 16 Jul 2014
48
19th
Skip the film and listen to Rodriguez's debut 'Cold Fact' instead.
Rated 16 May 2014
65
83rd
Very uplifting documentary with a great story; it tells something about the decay of music industry and how good art is bound to find it's audience. There has been some controversy about the sincerity of the story but I didn't mind as it is told from the perspective of South African fans who didn't have all the pieces. The real star here is Rodriguez's music and it's comforting that after all these years he's finally received recognition. It's a great pity that this was the director's only film.
Rated 06 May 2014
90
98th
An inspiring and incredible true story that unfolds so dramatically it had me riveted. It's one of those stories that is so fantastical, it has to be true or no one would believe it. About as good as a documentary can get.
Rated 07 Mar 2014
78
75th
A very refreshing story that left me with more questions than I came in with. Rodriguez's music sounds wonderful, but therein lies the mystery. For South Africans, this must have been a revitalizing story, but as an American, I want to know why this music was lost in my country and who is responsible.
Rated 12 Feb 2014
70
32nd
It's a very good story, but only a pretty good movie. So much more could have been done with this, but the filmmakers seem determined that this was half a movie about the people who finally tracked Rodriguez down and half about the musician himself. That's a bad decision, and the movie suffers because of it. Still, for this rock and roll fanatic, it's a fascinating story worth learning.
Rated 11 Jan 2014
90
73rd
A perfect documentary as far as every technical detail is concerned with a flawless narrative arc and interviews that say just the right thing. A little too perfect, but the people involved would say it sounded made up if it didn't happen to them, so I'll go with it.
Rated 29 Dec 2013
76
74th
Really enjoyable for a documentary, especially because it portrays people's enthusiasm so much. And because the mysterious star Rodriguez appears to be so damn likeable.
Rated 19 Dec 2013
81
78th
Lovely documentary.
Rated 28 Oct 2013
64
51st
I don't really believe music (or comparable activity) can make life worthwhile for people living in extreme poverty or under heavy oppression. This film generalized from just few cases a heavily exaggerated implication that it could.
Rated 28 Sep 2013
73
90th
A great story about a great man who made great music, well told.
Rated 02 Sep 2013
3
64th
A bit too sycophantic and at 90 minutes there are a lot of interviews where facts we already know are basically just being restated, but it's very well made, the music is indeed fantastic and Rodriguez seems like a stand up guy and a talent deserving of more recognition.
Rated 02 Sep 2013
82
76th
Never heard of him, loved his music instantly. Great story! A return of a dead.
Rated 01 Sep 2013
4
87th
Gotta say, I still don't know if I believe half of it. Most of the time, I thought they were bullshitting me. But the story is so crazy, you can't help but enjoy it (plus the film looks pretty sharp). So I reconciled myself to the fact that it could be a mockumentary and went for it. Later, I did some googling and found out it's mostly legit. Or is it?
Rated 28 Jul 2013
75
53rd
27 Temmuz 2013 &
Rated 27 Jul 2013
87
81st
Like one, long This American Life segment.
Rated 25 Jun 2013
85
87th
Interesting, entertaining and I like the music.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
70
72nd
Love the story, love the music, but no so much the way it's told. The director is sometimes confussing (specially the timeline), let some important unexplained points too easily (the money for example), and some interviewed people not main 'characters' looks like (over)acting. That's not what I expect from a good documentary filmmaker at all. Apart from that, it deserves to be watched, but not because of the way the story is told that is, at most, not bad, but just because of the story itself.
Rated 30 May 2013
72
44th
İlginç bir konusu olan, düzgün bir belgesel. Fakat bunun ötesinde, belgeselcilik kavramına kattığı yeni birşey olduğunu söylemek zor.
Rated 29 May 2013
85
84th
Belgeselin genel olarak Rodriguez'i arama sürecine yogunlasmasi, merak ögesini ayakta tutmak için gerekli bir yöntem; ancak bu yapi belgeselin belli yonlerinin eksik kalmasina neden olmus. Sanatcinin kendi agzindan, albüm yapmadan geçirdigi yillarin hikayesini ve felsefesini daha fazla dinleyebilirdik. Bu detaylar disinda, sasirtici hikayesi ve akici kurgusuyla, kaliteli bir belgesel. // 29 Mayis 2013
Rated 21 May 2013
78
48th
Not a very good documentary (it's timid about asking what happened with sales of the first two Rodriguez album, it spends way too much time in minutae) but the subject is awesome. I like the fact that this guy, writing songs in Detroit, could strike so many emotional chords with South Africans living in a fascist society.
Rated 19 May 2013
75
81st
What a great documentary, is like the Cinderella story, Rodriguez's style is fantastic. Also they portrait how music business is really about business and nothing else, that lie about they do it for the artists is absolutely BS. The only thing it bother me was the narrative, it could've been more honest for a documentary.
Rated 12 May 2013
79
79th
Inspiring. Can't believe I hadn't heard of this guy before.
Rated 27 Apr 2013
85
93rd
What a great movie. New nothing about it when I watched it. Loved it.
Rated 24 Apr 2013
9
70th
Fantastic story. Love the music. "I wonder . . . "
Rated 18 Apr 2013
78
85th
The documentary form has come so far hasn't it? Not only is the story intriguing and interesting, but the documentary is done very well.
Rated 07 Apr 2013
76
34th
The story is 100, no doubt. The film itself is less, but still fantastic
Rated 24 Mar 2013
100
99th
what a story, what a movie. Great directing, great production, just flawless.
Rated 15 Mar 2013
80
67th
For the most part, this film isn't all that skillfully directed or made, but the music is good enough and the story interesting enough that you still ought to see it.
Rated 11 Mar 2013
72
44th
http://africasacountry.com/2013/03/06/searching-for-redemption/ (Didn't finish the film)
Rated 10 Mar 2013
87
85th
A very emotional tale, shot simply and effectively. Not only does it tell the extraordinary tale of Rodriguez but at also of just how scrupulous record companies can be. The few omissions made might hurt the overall idea of Rodriguez' career but nonetheless does not hurt the movie overall, that focuses more on his contributions to the South African people and does not act as a true autobiography; people seem to forget this. Worthy of the Oscar victory, this is otherwise a fantastic documentary.
Rated 09 Mar 2013
90
94th
I think it's a great documentary but part of me wonders how much of the viewer's enjoyment relies on their opinions of his music. I loved nearly every one they played on the doc so naturally I loved the movie.
Rated 05 Mar 2013
75
81st
I wish I didn't already know the outcome before I watched this, but I still enjoyed it. It's a pretty awesome story (even when you learn about the filmmakers' deliberate omission of certain facts). I'd never heard of him before this film, and now I'm totally a fan of his music. It's a good, entertaining documentary and I'm sure it would appeal to most people.
Rated 17 Feb 2013
85
59th
I was quite taken with this. I like the way the story is told to us as if we were in South Africa, from the point of Rodriguez's initial fame up to the present day. I also like the way it speaks to the power of music and its ability to motivate and inspire. And, I got to be honest, I really like Rodriguez's music, so I could totally get where everybody was coming from.
Rated 16 Feb 2013
82
69th
This film tells its "so-strange-it-must-be-true" story in two distinct halves: the first explores the South African myth that grew up around a mysterious folk singer from the 70s. The second offers a striking contrast--the story of a man in touch with both the harshness and the beauty of reality. These two halves together form a fascinating film that manages to be both thought-provoking and inspiring.
Rated 15 Feb 2013
83
92nd
A great story, completely engaging from start to finish.
Rated 13 Feb 2013
88
89th
If you want an uplifting, feel good documentary, then this one is for you. It follows the story of an unknown singer and musician who, through a series of bizarre circumstances, became a huge hit in South Africa on level with Elvis, but without his knowledge. With rumors of his tragic death many years ago, two fans set out to find out what really happened to him. Rather than tragedy and struggle, this Oscar-nominated documentary gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling. And it's got some good music.
Rated 12 Feb 2013
95
94th
This documentary was amazing! Not only was the subject matter wonderful, which by the way the story is about a failed singer in America ends up being bigger than Elvis in South Africa... but the music in it was just glorious. I really do want to buy this mans music. Not only because of his life struggles but because he really does have good music. I thought all the people in the documentary were likable and there is a great twist added in. This has a good chance to win the Oscar.
Rated 09 Feb 2013
9
94th
what a story (and) man!
Rated 27 Jan 2013
95
97th
Halfway through this I had to pause it and check the internet to see if this was a work of fiction. What an incredible story. A must watch.
Rated 25 Jan 2013
49
44th
Forget this cheap Dylan knockoff, what happened to the drug dealer? Where's Volkswagen Frank? WHERE IS SUGAR MAN?!
Rated 24 Jan 2013
90
89th
The story being told is so intruguing that it is practically impossible to carve a mediocre documentary out of it. And great music should be mentioned, of course.
Rated 23 Jan 2013
10
93rd
This documentary is good for your soul.
Rated 21 Jan 2013
80
74th
Great film, even if it holds some stuff back for the sake of the mystery. The soundtrack is great. The best documentary I've seen in a while...
Rated 17 Jan 2013
85
86th
Great story, great narration and great music.
Rated 15 Jan 2013
90
94th
Amazing story about a genuine article. Can't say much more as I don't want to spoil the story, but his music is fantastic and the story is blinding.
Rated 31 Aug 2012
82
61st
Good work. Intelligently put together, and lets characters speak for themselves which is what you want for this most remarkable of stories.
Rated 19 Aug 2012
86
88th
Fantastic and interesting story, with a great narrative. Strong characters keep things moving along, and is full of great music. A cracking watch all told.

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