This movie blew me away, such a compelling transforming narrative arc. This story would never work unless it was true. It could work but it would be difficult to make it believable.
The hero's triumphant return
Resurrection/Revival
The story is helped along by the isolated nature of the pariah state (apartheid South Africa) and the likely corruption of a record company. Resulting in a failed singer songwriter, dropped by his record label, living in a horrible place in Detroit, raising his family doing hard construction work. Meanwhile, in South Africa, he's a huge hit, "bigger than the Stones, bigger than Elvis,",selling half a million records. But he never knows. His songs are anthems to young whites in South who protest and work for change in their own country. But they know nothing about him, there's a persistent legend that he's dead, that he committed suicide on stage. Meanwhile he's toiling in poverty in Detroit.
Eventually his fans in South Africa (helped by better communications/internet) track him down. He had no idea. He never received any royalties. They convince him to come to South Africa where he's greated (and continues to be greeted) as a huge celebrity.
The narrative develops with varying pace, slowly and quickly, completely sucking in the audience. The views of the man himself, his gentle ways clinches the deal.
Really enjoyed this jmovie, what a delightful surprise. About a delightful surprise.
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