Director: Malik Bendjelloul
Cast: Clarence Avant, Malik Bendjelloul, Dennis Coffey, Rodriguez
Rating: (M)
5 stars (out of 5)
Traversing the globe to slip seamlessly between the sunny streets of South Africa and the gnarly ruins of inner-city Detroit, Searching for Sugar Man is the ultimate documentary about what it means to be a music fan and how the quest to meet your hero does not always have to be disappointing.
Back in the early 1970s, Rodriguez, a guitar-slinging Mexican-American troubadour, wowed studio engineers and producers with a set of songs that should have brought him accolades, but tragically didn't.
Likened to Dylan, Rodriguez disappeared "almost" without trace after his albums sensationally flopped and his audiences could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
South Africa was a notable exception, where, powered by an apartheid backlash, Rodriguez reached cult status.The trouble was, the musician himself had no idea and his fans thought he was dead.
Framed by Rodriguez' voice, Searching for Sugar Man is a charming meditation on fame, politics and the transformative power of a captivating chord change.
Best thing: The superb story-telling that transports the viewer on a journey of discovery.
Worst thing: The sad fact that we will never know what really happened to the royalties.
See it with: Any fan of good music, a gripping yarn and great characters.
By Mark Orton.
