Okay, so here's the thing: if you're like most reality TV fans, you probably remember Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury from their time on “Love Island” in 2019.
As one of the fan-favourite couples, they went on to win viewers’ hearts and even finished as runners-up, leaving fans convinced their love story was one for the books.
The documentary delves into Fury’s alcohol addiction, a problem that pushed their relationship to its breaking point.
Fury himself opened up earlier this year about how an injury kept him from training and ultimately led him to lean on alcohol as a crutch.
For Hague, this wasn't a new experience.
She had witnessed her mother battle addiction during her childhood, and this painful memory echoes in her personal life as she deals with similar issues in her own relationship.
In a touching moment, she reflects on how her mother’s struggle shaped her view on relationships, and how she approached addiction in her own family.
Despite the heavy themes, “Molly-Mae: Behind It All” doesn’t dive too deep into the complexities of their breakup.
What was originally set up to be a look at their engagement and wedding plans has, instead, become a journey through Hague’s new life as a single mother and entrepreneur.
The documentary focuses heavily on her journey, the challenges she faces in building her business and the constant balancing act of raising her daughter, Bambi.
Watching her try to juggle these responsibilities, we see the emotional toll it takes on her.
While the documentary is raw and, at times, gut-wrenching, there’s a noticeable emotional disconnect when Hague talks about her breakup.
She shares her frustration and sadness, but there’s a certain lack of depth in her exploration of the relationship’s end.
But let’s not forget the bigger picture here. What could have been just another reality show packed with drama actually turns out to be a powerful look at the impact addiction has on relationships.
Hague’s story is a reminder that no relationship - no matter how perfect it looks from the outside - is immune to the pain of addiction. Watching her come to terms with the emotional wreckage of trying to make her family work despite those challenges is heartbreaking.
The camera doesn’t shy away from her pain, and there’s something undeniably raw about those moments. Gone are the perfectly staged, filtered Instagram snaps. Here, Hague gives us a natural, unpolished look at herself.
Sure, it’s not exactly the juicy gossip fest you might have hoped for but what it does offer is something way more relatable. It offers an unfiltered look at a woman trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak, addiction and being in the public eye.
Rating: *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking
∎ “Molly-Mae: Behind It All” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.