Is Music Is My Life: Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2022)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Music Is My Life: Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (2022), audiences are invited back into the world of Documentary. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The story of Joseph Shabalala, who rose to international fame with his band Ladysmith Black Mambazo after contributing to Paul Simon’s massively successful Graceland album. Bathed in Ladysmith’s powerful music, the documentary covers the full breadth of the singer’s life, from his early years in rural South Africa to the height of Shabalala’s global success to his passing in 2020, at the age of 79."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Dolly Parton attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Music Is My Life: Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Music Is My Life: Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 90 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.