Better late than never seems to be the recurring theme of Searching for Sugar Man, which follows the rise and stagnation of Rodriguez (a theme regrettably revisited by this late review). After releasing his debut album, Cold Fact, in 1970, the folk rock singer-songwriter quickly faded into obscurity, despite receiving critical acclaim and commercial success abroad. Beautiful, evocative, and compelling in its own right, the film's greatest achievement is the well-deserved recognition it has bestowed upon its ever-humble subject.
In South Africa, as the anti-apartheid movement swelled, members of the counterculture and burgeoning music scene (two subcultures that always seem intertwined) quickly picked up the Detroit songsmith's album as a collection of unofficial anthems. As numerous musicians, record-store owners, activists, and fans recall, Cold Fact spoke to many members of the South African youth. However, little was known about the enigmatic Rodriguez, which more than likely fed the many legends surrounding his character. Malik Bendjelloul initiated the project to set the record straight, and the results are simultaneously heartbreaking and life-affirming.
I'm hesitant to reveal much about the content of Searching for Sugar Man, as the full impact of the film lies in the channeling of the experience of the director, Rodriguez's fans, and what they discover. That being said, anybody who considers themselves a proponent of the arts should also consider viewing this film a requirement, as it is not only a tight, well-oiled machine of a documentary, but a celebration of the true, transformative power of music. This is the story of a man who, due perhaps to bad timing, unusual circumstances, and just plain bad luck, spent the better part of his life in near-poverty as a manual laborer, despite possessing an amazing talent, and having the wherewithal to turn that talent into action. It was only through sheer passion and dedication from multiple parties that Rodriguez is now receiving the recognition that he has deserved for so many years.
Bendjelloul is no slouch when it comes to craft either: Searching for Sugar Man's presentation is as beautiful as its content, with crisp, clean production value and an editing team that may have had the hardest job on the planet. How to cull such a fascinating story, and one that nobody, save for the most hardcore of hardcore music fans, has ever heard before? It's a wonder, and a testament to the effectiveness of the film that by the closing credits, the viewer is not only informed, but inflamed with passion for a man that they probably never knew existed prior to taking a seat in the auditorium.
[Searching for Sugar Man will be released theatrically in the U.S. in late July throgh Sony Pictures Classics.]