Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Enjoyable rock doc on legendary guitarist; smoking, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
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Carlos
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CARLOS tells the story of rock legend Carlos Santana, who was born in Mexico, where he played violin in his father's mariachi band. The family later relocated to San Francisco, where Santana pursued his dream of making his own music. Discovered by Bill Graham, he found himself on stage at the 1969 Woodstock Festival before his band had even released an album. Santana's first few releases became classics, but things took a turn when rockers around him started dying. He chose a path of enlightenment, of spiritual meditation. His career floundered for a while until something magical happened: His 1999 album Supernatural took off into the stratosphere, providing the comeback that most artists can only dream of.
Is It Any Good?
This straightforward rock documentary, with its fairly traditional arc, is heightened by Santana's embrace of the spiritual and the natural, lending a somewhat mythical tone to his story. Clocking in at a brief 87 minutes, Carlos is really only interested in a succinct, Cliff's Notes version of Santana's career. It avoids any commentary on what makes his music special, and it doesn't offer many opposing or corroborating viewpoints. A scene in which Santana sits with his two sisters and young wife is especially awkward; the women seem reluctant to speak in front of him. And the movie certainly doesn't mention the musician's 2023 on-stage anti-trans commentary (or subsequent apology), which seems to fly in the face of the way he presents himself -- as an open-hearted person who has also been the victim of bigotry. Nonetheless, Santana is a passionate interview, a terrific showman who makes his time on camera count. And then there's the music, especially the tunes from the classic 1970 LP Abraxas, that ultimately make Carlos an enjoyable, uplifting experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Carlos' depiction of drug use. Are drugs glamorized? Do viewers hear about both positive and negative effects of drug use? Are there repercussions for using?
Did Santana face bigotry in his lifetime? How did he deal with it? How is his story an example of positive representation?
How does the movie handle the subject of abuse? How has Santana overcome his traumatic experiences? Does his method feel healthy and helpful?
What does Santana mean when he talks about "magic" and "the flow of grace"? Is he talking about faith? Spirituality? Something else?
How do you feel, watching the movie, knowing about Santana's anti-trans comments made while on stage? Does the fact that he later apologized change your view?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 23, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : September 29, 2023
- Cast : Carlos Santana
- Director : Rudy Valdez
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some drug content and brief nudity
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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