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Since his breakthrough at the Fillmore in San Francisco and then a star-making performance at Woodstock in 1969, Carlos Santana\u2019s fusion of improvisational Latin rock and blues has been regarded as transcendent.<\/p>\n
In the director Rudy Valdez\u2019s poignant but shortsighted documentary, \u201cCarlos,\u201d that same magic comes alive through performance clips from various eras of the Mexican guitarist\u2019s half-century-long career and commentary about his life offstage. Santana\u2019s ethereal mood imbues the movie with a numinous feel \u2014 even a childhood anecdote that he shares about his father communicating to birds while playing the violin at sunset is delivered with an affecting cosmic touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Although Santana, 76, reveals some raw details of his life \u2014 his father\u2019s infidelity, experiencing sexual abuse as a child \u2014 the portrait, rendered primarily through interviews, leaves a lot out. For fans wondering about the anti-trans comments<\/a> that he made at a show in July and then apologized for, there\u2019s nothing in the documentary that mentions his political stances. The film presents Santana without critique.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Other interviews can feel muted. His sisters, exhibiting hesitant body language, don\u2019t seem like they want to say too much. His bandmate and second wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, is even quieter. Deeper insights from a rock critic or music historian would have enriched the film to fully convey not just what Santana\u2019s legacy is but what it means<\/em>. Still, this controlled documentary captivates as a soulful personal history, even if it doesn\u2019t exactly transcend.<\/p>\n Carlos<\/strong>
Rated R for coarse language, brief nudity and rock \u2019n\u2019 roll drug talk. Running time: 1 hour 27 minutes. In theaters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n