Lost My Edge

Friday, 15 February 2013

Searching for Sugar Man

An amazing story made by bad film makers.

Rodriguez was a musician from the 70s, everyone who was involved with him thought would be bigger than Dylan.

Unfortunately he didnt make a dent on the US market and was dropped from his label.

This film centres around South Africa where Rodriguez unbeknown to him was a household name and was the soundtrack to the end of apartheid for many.

Stories of his apparent suicide on stage heightened the mythology of the mysterious artist.

This documentary tries to uncover who Rodriguez is and what happened to him.

My issue with the film is that it chooses to omit certain facts about Rodriguez's career, tries to make it look like they are documenting the search for Rodriguez as it is happening (they are retelling the story) and they look to probe where the royalties are going and just when they look like they are getting somewhere they stop and completely leave it alone.

I was not surprised that this is the Directors first film, it felt clumsy and it seems he didn't have enough confidence in himself.

What is amazing though is that even with this faults the film is still a must see. The story is incredible, I loved the parts shot in Detroit, Rodriguez is such a humble person and the music is fantastic.

I wish that a more accomplished film maker could have documented this story.

Trance

I've never been fully convinced by Danny Boyle as a director. I think he can pick a good story but as an actual film maker he flatters to deceive.

His new film 'Trance' looks like a very interesting crime/action film and James McAvoy is an excellent actor who can switch from everyman to action star seamlessly.

I will be interested to see the film and see if Danny Boyle can win me over.