As a teenager in the 80s, I remember Milli Vanilli well. I was never a big fan of the duo, but I couldn't help but get the massive attention and success the group got. Also their abrupt end to their pop career.
After watching this good, insightful documentary, I am primarily saddened by their story. Two young men who wanted to be "stars" more than anything else. Producer Frank Farian immediately saw potential, but opted for a sinister formula; they mimed to their own tunes. Skilled studio musicians and singers provided all vocals.
The success was immediate and massive. But it was all a ticking bomb and as this documentary shows; Milli Vanilli became the scapegoat of the whole world.
This documentary has similarities to many other films and documentaries about the pop industry; money rules everything.
The documentary is painful to watch, the boys' rise ended in total disaster for them, both professionally and on a personal level. The people behind it, the producer and the record company escaped without a single scratch in the paintwork. The boys became the sinners who were put to the slaughter.
Nevertheless, it is also a historical victory. It is possible to get back up even after being torn apart in public.
I have the impression that their story is unfortunately not unique. How many pretty faces that we've dug the music for over the years are tricksters?
The documentary at least corrects some of my impression of the duo. They were not without fault themselves, but paid an incredibly high price for a fraud that many powerful players were part of.
