Hello Readers,
I’ve always been a huge Boyzone fan, and I knew there was no way to put the proverbial "poop back into the horse" after watching this documentary. I was born in 1993, so I missed a lot of the media fallout and lies that surrounded them during their prime.
I’ll be reviewing all
the episodes so spoiler warning, and I love the nod to Boyzone’s songs in each episode
title Love Me for a Reason, When the Going Gets Tough, and When All Is Said and
Done, they perfectly reflect the emotional journey the band went through. I
don’t own the rights to the poster image (used here under Fair Use for review
purposes, as per sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act).
The documentary doesn’t shy away from showing the
emotional and psychological toll fame took on the members. Behind their
polished public image, we get a rare glimpse into the personal struggles and
the deep emotional strain caused by competition, outside pressures, and the
exhaustion of being constantly in the spotlight.
One of the most impactful aspects of the documentary is
how it sheds light on the individual members of the band, especially Mikey
Graham. His candid revelations about descending into depression and alcoholism,
while being sidelined in favour of the more fan-friendly Stephen Gately and
Ronan Keating, was heartbreaking. Mikey’s openness highlights the cruelty of an
industry that often prioritises marketability over mental health, without
providing safeguards for a group of teenage boys (some of whom were barely out
of childhood when the group was formed).
One of the most controversial aspects of this documentary
is Louis Walsh. Part of me wants to stay neutral about him and not give him the
reaction he clearly craves. However, I can’t help but feel disgusted by his
unapologetic attitude toward the lies he fed the press. Louis proudly admits
that he lied to the media for publicity, and even now, he shows no remorse.
It’s jarring to see him so unashamed while the band members talk about how
these actions affected them.
In the documentary, Louis openly admits to feeding the tabloids fake stories he shrugs it off and says, "I never felt guilty about it. No way. I was promoting them. I’d do it all again. I’d do it even more now." It’s hard to swallow, and every time he appeared on screen, I couldn't help but feel a surge of disgust. You might be a better person than me, dear reader, and might not feel the same way.
The most emotional part of the documentary comes in the
final episodes, as the remaining four members of Boyzone open up about the
devastating loss of Stephen Gately. The shock of his death is still raw for all
of them, and their grief is palpable. The moment when they reveal they stayed
with Gately’s body in the church the night before his funeral is incredibly
moving. "He didn’t like being alone," a heartbroken Ronan chokes out,
his pain clear.
As the band members reflect on their grief, the
documentary also revisits the media’s treatment of Gately, especially the
insensitive coverage surrounding his passing. The Daily Mail published the
infamous column by Jan Moir, which suggested Stephen’s death had occurred under
"sleazy" circumstances and hinted that his sexuality played a role.
This hurtful piece of journalism added further pain to an already devastating
situation. The cruel media treatment of Stephen, both in life and in death,
continues to haunt those who loved him, and this segment serves as a stark
reminder of the tabloids' callousness during that time.
Watching the documentary was heart-breaking. Peering
behind the curtain at the reality of Boyzone's journey, it was hard not to feel
a deep sense of sadness and empathy. It really does make me question if people
knew the real cost of fame would it be worth it?
In the documentary, Louis openly admits to feeding the tabloids fake stories he shrugs it off and says, "I never felt guilty about it. No way. I was promoting them. I’d do it all again. I’d do it even more now." It’s hard to swallow, and every time he appeared on screen, I couldn't help but feel a surge of disgust. You might be a better person than me, dear reader, and might not feel the same way.
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