With musical biopics being quite the rage nowadays, filmmakers are using different ideas and framing devices, only covering a specific portion of a career or specific performances for example. Better Man, the new Robbie Williams biopic from The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey, takes this concept even further by depicting Williams in the film as something he frequently described himself as, a dancing monkey.
Abandoned by his father Peter (Steve Pemberton) at age 9, Robbie Williams (voiced by Robbie himself) grew up with his mother (Kate Mulvany) and his beloved Nan (Alison Steadman). Determined to make his father proud, Robbie sets out to be famous, leading him to a cattle call audition for a group called Take That. Five years Later, drowning in drugs and alcohol and proving to be unreliable on tour, Robbie leaves Take That and sets out on his own. Robbie starts a relationship with All Saints singer Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno). Then, he becomes further disillusioned with fame after Nicole is pressured into an abortion to “save her career”. Years later, after finally bottoming out, Robbie literally fights his demons on stage during a legendary Knebworth performance.
Better Man, despite being led by a CGI monkey, is a wonderful surprise. Blatantly open and laid bare, Robbie Williamns exposes his entire life here, not withholding any punches and still manages to affect the audience through this facade. Touching and compelling throughout, Better Man is a revelation. And the Rock DJ dance sequence is nothing short of glorious filmmaking.
- Rated: NR
- Genre: Biopic, musical
- Release Date: 9/9/2024
- Directed by: Michael Gracey
- Starring: Alison Steadman, Anthony Hayes, Damon Herriman, Frazer Hadfield, Jonno Davies, Kate Mulvany, Raechelle Banno, Robbie Williams, Steve Pemberton, Tom Budge
- Produced by: Coco Xiaolu Ma, Craig McMahon, Jules Daly, Michael Gracey, Paul Currie
- Written by: Michael Gracey, Oliver Cole, Simon Gleason
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
