I'll tell you why so serious

Excellent adaptation.

Better Late Then Never

The first must-see film of the year.

Searching for Sugar Man is not a documentary to read about before you see it. And I'm glad I managed to avoid all information in the Swedish media since the premier. So in order to not give way to much of the action, you only get this information, Rodriguez released two albums on American companies 1970-71. Both "sink like a stone" and he laid down his career. A number of years later, his music becomes a huge success in the closed and boycotted South Africa where apartheid ruled. Rodriguez finally sold platinum and was as big as The Beatles in South Africa. But nobody told that to Rodriguez, who was seen as a rebel and inspiration for South African musicians, who opposed Botha's apartheid regime. But they had no idea who Rodrigues was. So two fans decide to find out what happened to their big idol. And it does not seem to have gone According to one rumor he poured gasoline over himself during a performance, and burned up. And according to another rumor, he shot himself in the head at the end of a really bad gig. It really made me sick when I saw the film in a nearly empty theater in Hallstavik (located 10 milesoutside Stockholm), because what causes a person to do something that tragic? And another thing that I was wondering about was where I could find the music. And as it seems right now, when I write this review, you have to buy the movie's soundtrack on CD. It has been removed from Spotify in Sweden

I as many others have never heard of Rodriguez. So at first I thought about this being one of those documentaries where it's actually a fictional film. Or at least leaves the possibility of it not being "real". But as I've googled after watching it (but also during watching the movie it became apparent), this is a real musician, that made an impact on people.It's a strange documentary and even though you may not know the man, you will become accustomed to him. If you actually care for documentaries that is of course. It's very well structured and you get a nice search for the guy. The music is also very nice. Never heard one of those songs, but I reckon some will look for them after having a listen to them. It's heartfelt overall, so if you are not a cynic, you will enjoy this

Many people know the names of Michael Jackson, or bands like the Beatles. But very few people will know the name Sixto Rodriguez. He wrote two well received but low selling albums that were only popular in very few places like South Africa. This documentary shows a heartwarming tale about an unknown artist's musical impact on the small population that listened to his music. Music is a unique art form which impacts peoples' lives daily by having the ability to teach someone a new idea while still be entertaining at the same time. This allows it to make positive effects on the world by giving the listeners a good message and help influencing them to possibly help out the world.The director Malik Bendjelloul, puts us through a journey of discovering who Sixto Rodriguez was. This helps you be able to learn who this singer is and what his morals and principles were. Bendjelloul skillfully structures the documentary to make you wonder what happened to this unknown singer. Until finally the search to whatever happens to this singer comes with an unexpected twist. He manages to make you wonder why this man was not popular because his two albums were mostly positive from critics. Could it be from bad luck or another example of the music industry taking advantage of an artist's talent? The only way to find out is by watching it yourself. This documentary does deserve to be seen but not only for its heartwarming tale but ability to show how music can positively change people's worldview.

***SPOILER ALERT** Where is the Sugar (Man)?Searching for Sugar Man is a brilliant movie that uses music and mystery to draw the audience in. The story is about how a failed musician (Rodriguez) in Detroit that makes it big in South Africa and never knows. Two super fans embark on a journey to search for a musical idol form their youth. The combination of animation and music set it apart from most documentaries out there. Malik Bendjelloul did an outstanding job in the scene with an animation of Rodriguez walking down the streets of Detroit. The scene starts off with a drawing of the street then progresses to the animation of him walking past run-down store fronts. At this point of the film it symbolized the position he is at in his career in the United States. The mystery aspect is what keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat from the beginning to the big reveal in the end. Bendjelloul keeps you guessing because provides testimonies of people who have seen Rodriguez around Detroit. These people talk about him like he is deceased. This is because rumors spread that he either lit himself on fire or shot himself in the head on stage. All this leads up to the big reveal of Rodriguez being alive still living in Detroit. This scene is shot masterfully as Rodriguez opens up the window and the audience see him for the first time. This symbol of him breaking out of the mysterious role into an actual person. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of mystery and 1960's music. Rodriguez's sound reminds me of the Beatles. As a person who does not like many documentaries this one was one I enjoyed. 10 out of 10 would recommend.