Better Man: Film Review
Better Man is not your average film biopic. Why? Well, instead of Robbie Williams being portrayed by an actor, he’s depicted as a CGI monkey. It’s a bananas concept but it somehow works really well.
This biographical drama, directed by The Greatest Showman’s Michael Gracey, tells the story of Robbie Williams’ life from his early years to his career beginnings in Take That and his phenomenally successful solo career. While it is a celebration of Robbie’s accomplishments, it also gives a startling and heartbreaking look at the price of fame and his battle with depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
First, let’s address the elephant – or monkey – in the room. I wondered if I’d be able to take the film seriously with this bizarre concept but it all makes sense once you see it. It shouldn’t work but I got used to it within about 10 minutes and it didn’t take me out of the story. Sure, it’s a little weird seeing an ape snorting cocaine or getting involved in sexual business but if any celebrity is going to be portrayed as a chimpanzee, it makes sense for it to be the Me and My Monkey singer. Also, it helps that the visual effects are very realistic and you feel empathy for monkey Robbie thanks to Jonno Davies‘ motion capture performance.
Williams was heavily involved in the project and his interviews with Gracey form the voiceover. This can sometimes be a bad sign; this could mean that the biopic will be a puff piece that only portrays its subject in a positive light. That is not the case with Better Man at all. The Angels singer is brutally honest about his mistakes and takes responsibility for his actions instead of blaming anyone else. Better Man doesn’t just make a cursory mention of his bad times, it probably dedicates as much time to it as his professional achievements. It’s surprising for a celebrity to be this candid in their own film but Williams has always been unfiltered and copped to his failings.
Rather than lazily showcasing his hits at the right moments in his career, Gracey recontextualises the songs and presents them where they make the most sense emotionally. For example, a young boy Robbie sings Feel and the Rock DJ musical sequence (the standout of the film) involves Take That. These are obviously not correct timing-wise but they are in the right place for the beat of the story. I particularly enjoyed a beautiful couple’s dance on a boat to She’s the One after introducing Williams’ then-partner Nicole Appleton.
It’s not just the songs that appear out of sequence – this film takes the real timeline with a pinch of salt and this may frustrate diehard fans. For example, the singer’s Knebworth shows came after his Royal Albert Hall performance but the film presented them the other way around. This may bother nitpicking fans but overall I think most viewers won’t know this and will embrace the film’s timeline.
This biopic is better than it had any right to be. I loved the blunt and cheeky voiceover, the staggering honesty and the fact that it doesn’t try to tell his whole life story, just the biggest and craziest years. I highly recommend this.
In cinemas from Boxing Day
Rating: 4 out of 5.
