The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story

Released Mar 27, 2019

1h 39m

Documentary

List

81%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Aaron Kunkel examines the rise and fall of boy band impresario Lou Pearlman.

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Kristen Lopez

Citizen Dame

The Boy Band Con is a strong crash course in learning about the boy band world, but it feels like much is left unspoken.

Apr 6, 2019

Full Review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Los Angeles Times

It may be an all-too-familiar refrain - trusted music manager rips off his clients - but "The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story" sets it in the broader, more intriguing context of the age-old pursuit of those twin trappings, fame and fortune.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Dan Fienberg

Hollywood Reporter

As Kunkel structures the doc, it's like "Here's this guy who nobody completely understands, now let's go back in time and ... nobody understood him then, either." I prefer that to cheap and specious psychoanalyzing.

Mar 15, 2019

Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

While the film doesn't do anything to stylistically different than any average documentary, it is a good companion piece to Leaving Neverland because of its conversation about people in power...

Apr 4, 2024

Full Review

Alison Foreman

Mashable

In an increasingly competitive genre, a really bad guy at the center of your scam documentary isn't enough to make it stand out.

Dec 7, 2019

Full Review

Jack Ford

Battle Royale With Cheese

Ultimately, The Boy Band Con struggles to find the balance between a real-life showbiz story and a more serious story about a serial embezzler.

Dec 1, 2019

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Audience Member

I was a teen in the 90's and loved these bands. I had no idea the full story of Lou Pearlman and the depths of his financial crimes. I thought this story was really well-told by the members themselves, even though it wasn't all the members, and even though this story doesn't touch on the full scope of his non-financial crimes with the boys themselves. Having recently watched other documentaries and listened to podcasts about people like Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein and Bernie Madoff, it's a fascinating peek into the world of how these seemingly odd, socially awkward and sometimes creepy kids were able to become charming enough to get to the financial success they were able to achieve as adults, and swindle people so effortlessly in the process. It's also a study in how willing we are as a human race to leave our fate in other people's hands, even if we do not know them, at the promise of success ourselves, and how trusting we can be for those who do not appear to be untrustworthy. Lou went to great lengths to cheat people out of a lot of money, and you wonder how a person can continue making those choices over and over and still be able to sleep at night. I was especially moved by his childhood friend, whom he took advantage of as well, who spoke at the end (paraphrasing), "I truly don't think Lou ever understood or accepted how much of a criminal he actually was." That says it all right there. I thought the story was well-told and for someone who didn't know much about the crimes of this man, it certainly made me dig a little deeper in other resources to find out more things that weren't addressed in the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

pretty b

This movie seems like it was created to defame a man who helped not only *nsync's career but countless others. there was very little compassion given to him but a whole lot of blaming shaming and blasting. The accusations of sex abuse is a serious thing to say . The doc starts off strong thinking we were going to get a real history lesson but... no. Just a history lesson on *nsync and their problems. Vaguely got the accounts of other groups. No real documentation holding up to facts. seems like people had a vendetta against this man. Why didn't they interveiw someone who actually loved lou? or gave them a more to say besides one or two things? Yeah bc they made it to make him look bad. Its sad he changed so many lives that many hope for their whole lives and these spoiled kids come out with a doc calling him a crazy gay man.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

easy to watch, fast moving, and really enjoyed seeing all the behind the scenes clips of the guys throughout their careers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved it!! So well done and such a compelling storyBbb

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I had the opportunity to watch this movie during SXSW... and Iâ(TM)m so glad I did. Growing up in Orlando, I was familiar with the cast as well as Lou Pearlman. As much as I thought I knew about this story, there was so much more to learn. This film tells many stories, itâ(TM)s not just an â~*NSYNC movie. The directorâ(TM)s unique and creative perspective, combined with the masterful editing and perfectly placed soundtrack has you riveted. The film is haunting at times, even disturbing... but with enough humor sprinkled in to lighten the mood when needed. Everyone I talked to after the screening just wanted to keep talking about it after we left. It definitely sticks with you and makes you question what you might have done in the same situation. I look forward to more films from the Kunkel/Bass team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

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Aaron Kunkel

Director

Ashley Parker Angel

Self

Lance Bass

Self

Aaron Carter

Self

J.C. Chasez

Self

Nikki Deloach

Self

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Aaron Kunkel examines the rise and fall of boy band impresario Lou Pearlman.

Director: Aaron Kunkel
Producer: Sarba Das, Sam Korkis, Craig Piligian, Gretchen Stockdale, Johnny Wright
Production Co: Pilgrim Media Group
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 2019, Limited
Runtime: 1h 39m