Review of Searching for Sugar Man (2012) by Allen G — 14 Jun 2014

This is a story about a man who makes music. There are thus two questions to ask- is the story good, and is the music good? For me, the answer to both of these questions is yes and that's what makes this film a success.

We all know what to expect from a documentary about a famous musician- the good ones aren't a bad way to pass some time and the poor ones can be a chore to sit through. What about a documentary about a famous musician that you probably haven't heard of then? Thankfully, it's far from a chore- its length is right and there's enough intrigue and surprise to keep the story compelling.

Sugarman is a worthy musician for something like this because, he's actually good! This isn't a story that depends on just its mystery, it also depends on the music which has to have the depth and strength to sustain the audience's interest in the strange character of Sugarman. Sure, whether the music is 'good' is as objective as anything else but I certainly enjoyed the Dylanesque nature of his work anyway.

This film was a surprising success and that seems like the most fitting way for it have gained recognition because the story it tells is in itself a surprising oddity. One man makes one album that goes big in, um, just one place and yet, it's remembered and years later the story is told.

The film does, however, feel like it's trying a little too hard to press the mystery around Sugarman at times- its opening sequence is almost deceitful even when a rumour of his suicide is told to us as if it's fact before we see that it's just speculation. This is a minor quibble though and it's understandable why the film makers chose to go down that route as it likely made the film more interesting for many of its viewers.

I'd recommend listening to a track by Sugarman before checking this one out because I do feel that his music has to be to your taste in order for this film to maintain your interest. If you just enjoy music documentaries and want something a little different then I would also recommend this but I do think the film would struggle to hold someone's interest if they aren't reeled in by either Sugarman's music or his life and so, for some, this may be a tad disappointing due to its rather specific nature.