Rent Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

ASTONISHING AND ABSORBING - Searching for Sugar Man review by JF

I was hooked immediately. And it wasn't just the astonishing story of the "forgotten" musician and the lengthy search to find him. I was also taken aback at some of the details of life in South Africa for the white population of the time. In the UK we knew about the trials and tribulations of the black population, but little of how the average white S. African was affected by the anti-apartheid embargoes. The young population were apparently cut off from the mainstream culture of the rest of the western world ... As the white South African 'Sugarman' explained, it was a very conservative country, and Rodriguez' lyrics shocked many.

The huge reaction, the emotion and the warmth of the crowds was a revelation, and not just for his first gig

I now have both the DVD and a CD, so obviously the film has made me a fan.

Brilliant and Fascinating Documentary about an early 70s US Musician who Vanished - Searching for Sugar Man review by PV

I loved this film. I rarely watch movie documentaries. But this and the recent British documentary FRANK are genuinely moving.

Very sad of course, that someone should not get success and then have to go back to their old life of little money and hard graft BUT that happens to MOST PEOPLE who want to make it in the music business (or film business or as an author!). Only a select few make it via sheer luck and contacts; right time right place.

This guy didn't help himself when playing songs at gigs in a veil of smoke and his back to the audience (as I would like to do to!). I disagree with the music boss here who makes claims of racism, that he failed to make it because his name sounded Hispanic (Rodriguez). It's not as though all pop and rock stars in the late 60s and early 70s were wasp white Americans, is it? Plenty of racial diversity.

No, I think the reason Rodriguez failed to make it is that his songs were very derivative and simply not good enough. Some nice ones though and I was yearning for him to finish that 3rd album now at age 70-ish. BUT most money now is in live shows, not CD/record sales as once was, so he should keep doing that. The guy is so stoical it's unreal. One wonders if he's been on the 'sugar'...lol

Weird that he made it in South Africa - but only white Afrikaans community, it seems. A fairytale come true really. Reminds me of others who get fame in certain world locations - the old 'Big in Japan' thing, where pop bands who do nothing in the UK or even US make it there. It happens, for weird and vague reasons.

Genuinely loved this film. Reminds me a bit of 2008 documentary about failed Canadian 80s rock band ANVIL - who were, yes, big in Japan but never made it anywhere else, so members do regular jobs. Or did, until reforming after the documentary and touring the world.

5 stars. Just great.

Warm up your heart with this documentary - Searching for Sugar Man review by PR

I very seldom cry at films, and even less so from happiness, but this story and the artist’s personality really cracked me! The man is the genuine article, a true poet, his music is simply excellent: sincere, haunting, moving, very, very special. Highly recommended.

What a darling of a docu - Searching for Sugar Man review by BE

Very interesting story of a singer/songwriter who never 'made it' in America. Once you have listened to the rhetoric of acquaintances, you can check out for yourself what a gifted and unassuming performer Sixto Rodriguez was. Not wishing to spoil the movie, I'll say no more apart from the fact that I am smitten and have ordered one of his albums!