Better Man (2024)
Better Man is simply awesome! This movie is a wonderful film that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer all through the movie. It’s the story of the British pop star Robbie Williams, his childhood in Stoke-on-Trent, his years with the band Take That, and his solo career.
Of all the surprises you will experience watching this movie, the biggest shock may be the use of Williams as a CGI chimpanzee. What may seem like a crazy notion at first is in fact pure genius. Michael Gracey has successfully executed this rather unorthodox idea. Williams’ CGI chimp is fantastic in capturing the feelings of isolation and oppression that Robbie Williams experienced all through his life. This was a brilliant decision that allows us to understand Robbie’s world from his perspective. I don’t think that this story could have been portrayed in a better way.
The story is emotionally touching; the film explores Robbie’s search for his father’s acceptance as well as his demons of addiction. This is not a conventional story of adversity leading to wealth; it illustrates the price of fame and how adolescent celebrity stunts one’s development. These themes have been captured well, and they are presented with incisive credibility.
And, of course, if you are a Robbie Williams fan, you will want to hear his music!. And it’s so wonderful to listen to his greatest hits, which are included in the movie in a very natural way; each song enriches the overall feeling of this story. I was particularly moved by the music and the way it was incorporated into the plot of the film; it is not possible to listen to these songs the same way again.
The CGI is outstanding. The animal that is Robbie the chimpanzee is so realistic, and he is so believable that you will not even realise that you are watching a CGI character. This is a great testament to the amazing visual effects team and the motion capture of the actors because we never for once doubt that we are watching a real person. It really works! I never even once doubted for a single second that I was watching an actual ‘person.’ It is incredible.
All the other actors are also excellent, especially Robbie’s great-grandmother, played by Alison Steadman, and Steve Pemberton as his father. They make their characters very layered and nuanced, and the family relations feel very real and heartbreaking.
Gracey’s direction is phenomenal. He handles the fantasy aspect quite well while at the same time depicting some very real emotions, thus giving the movie a rather peculiar aesthetic. The dream sequences are to be noted especially because they give a peek into Robbie’s mind.
Do not go to Better Man thinking that you will watch a regular biopic. It isn’t. And if you think that it will be different, you will still be amazed at how different it actually is. Better Man does not conform to usual norms, and Gracey has created a very unique piece of work. There are no flaws in the pacing of the film; it does not drag at all or feel like it is rushing through the plot. It zooms through Williams’ career milestones, at the same time making sure that key emotional developments are well explored. They make a significant impact!
Better Man embraces honesty, acknowledging Williams’ flaws and mistakes, and portrays a man striving to overcome his challenges. It is rather refreshing to see a biopic based on a celebrity whose story is not glorified and does not hide the dark aspects of the character.
The production design is incredible; everything looks the part of the respective time period, whether it is the rough 80s, the glamorous 90s or any period after that. The costume department should get a standing ovation for capturing Williams’ appearance at all different times during the years.
Better Man is a wonderful film. Impressive, wild, and fantastic all at once. If you are a Robbie Williams fan and are looking for a good biopic, this film will suit you well. Without a doubt, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, biopic I have ever seen. Do not walk to this one; run to see it, and you’ll feel like you have spent an intimate couple of hours on an emotional rollercoaster with Robbie himself. You won’t regret it.