Jonno Davies as “Robbie Williams” in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
Opening in theaters on December 25th, ‘Better Man’ is a distinctly unconventional music biopic (at least in one respect), since it portrays British singer and pop star Robbie Williams as a CG simian for its entire running time.
Directed by ‘The Greatest Showman’s Michael Gracey, it tells the performer’s story with humor, heart and no little sense of honesty, since it lets Williams reveal his inner demons even as his fame takes off like a rocket.
Does ‘Better Man’ sing its song effectively?
Jonno Davies and Robbie Williams as Robbie Williams in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
We have seen a glut of musical biopics in the last few years, primarily driven by the box office and Oscar-winning success of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in 2018. But while that movie chose to smooth off many of its subject’s raw edges and did Freddie Mercury no favors in its portrayal, ‘Better Man’ heads off on a different path.
Certainly, there are the landmarks we expect to visit along the way in a coming-of-fame story such as this –– the humble upbringing, the first taste of success, the troubled parentage of so many big stars.
‘Better Man,’ while it contains plenty of that, is also, like the much-dismissed ‘Rocket Man,’ which gave Elton John more of warts-and-all treatment, infused with Williams’ cheeky delivery and performing style, but manages to do a solid job of peeking beneath the brash exterior to find the haunted, self-doubting soul within, while still being riotously entertaining.
Script and Direction
Director Michael Gracey on the set of ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
The screenplay, by Oliver Cole, Simon Gleeson and director Michael Gracey runs the gamut from the standard biopic stuff to some inventive and emotional moments drawn from Williams’ own life, while selectively choosing which chunks to dramatize.
Naturally, not everything makes the cut and with Williams providing the voice and rights in order for the movie to happen, there are moments where you feel his trying to excuse certain things. Those are very few and far between, though as the major takeaway from the script is its painful honesty about how much Williams has dealt with –– and continues to deal with –– in his life.
Some performers hide from their problems while singing on stage; not Williams, who has always faced his demons (here represented as younger versions of himself threatening him from the audience). He’s not afraid to detail his addictions and indiscretions and the whole effect draws you to empathize far more with him than a simple hagiography might.
As director, Gracey (who previously made ‘The Greatest Showman’ certainly knows when and how to deploy the musical moments, and stages them effectively, with certain sequences such as Williams’ song ‘Angels’ tied to his grandmother’s death proving actually moving. Though the occasional moment dives a tough too far into sensationalism (such as a chaotic battle between the singer and his various past incarnations, a literal battle with his demons), this is more than the sum of its parts.
Cast and Performances
Williams is of course the focus here, but there are some wonderful supporting performances that help to bring his world to life.
Robbie Williams as Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
With Jonno Davies providing the performance capture and much of the dancing for the “Williams” ape character when he’s an adult (combined with Williams’ vocals and voice work during the non-musical moments), the simian take on the singer feels authentically him, capturing his essence and boasting some fantastic effects work from the Weta team, who after all have no small experience with this sort of creature animation thanks to the ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie.
It’s most impressive that you stop thinking of “Robbie” as an effect and simply buy him as an avatar do for the singer before long.
Steve Pemberton as Peter Williams/Pete Conway
Pemberton, a veteran British comic performer (and one part of the League of Gentlemen troupe), is both heartbreaking and heartwarming as Williams’ father, one of the key elements in his life. He left the family when Williams was young, but despite their estrangement, their complicated relationship is a huge part of what drives the man.
Raechelle Banno as Nicole Appleton
(L to R) Raechelle Banno as “Nicole Appleton” and Jonno Davies as “Robbie Williams” in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
One of Williams’ great loves, the singer/songwriter and member of girl group All Saints is brought to welcome life by Banno. While she’s sometimes reduced to being a predictable musical biopic partner, their connection is more complicated, and Banno more than makes you see why Williams might have fallen for her beyond looks.
Damon Herriman as Nigel Martin Smith
Smith was the man who put boy band Take That together and launched Williams on his path to stardom –– even as the pair were oil and water (and there are some inventive, filthy descriptions for the manager, which we can’t repeat here). Herriman doesn’t always have much to do other than be the frustrated, pushy authority figure early one, but he does get some nuance.
Alison Steadman as Betty
Alison Steadman as “Betty” in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
One of the emotional support pillars for Williams through his younger life, Steadman’s performance as his grandmother is wonderful –– authentic and powerful, fully setting you up to feel as he does when she passes away.
Supporting Cast
The rest of the cast is a mixture of solid-but-surface-level portrayals of the other members of Take That and some more layered characters, such as Kate Mulvany as Janet, Robbie’s mother and Frazer Hadfield as Nate, his best mate. They in particular get some juicier scenes interacting with our troubled central figure.
Final Thoughts
Jonno Davies and Robbie Williams as “Robbie Williams” in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
Once you are past the cognitive dissonance brought on by having a CG chimp play the central character through the entire film, the story settles into being a frank and funny account of Robbie Williams’ life.
The movie itself may struggle slightly with American audiences, since Williams, for all his star power, has never been quite as well known here as he is at home. Still, if you let yourself go with the flow, this is a truly fascinating example of the musical biopic genre with enough invention and sheer charm to carry it through.
Let him entertain you. You may also find yourself moved at times.
‘Better Man’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
“Fame makes monkeys of us all.”
76
2 hr 15 minJan 10th, 2025
Follow Robbie Williams’ journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking… Read the Plot
What’s the plot of ‘Better Man’?
‘Better Man’ is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
The film is told from Robbie’s perspective. It follows his journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist –– all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.
Who is in the cast of ‘Better Man’?
- Robbie Williams as the voice of himself
- Jonno Davies as young Robbie Williams
- Steve Pemberton as Peter
- Alison Steadman as Betty
- Damon Herriman as Nigel Martin-Smith
- Raechelle Banno as Nicole Appleton
- Anthony Hayes as Chris Briggs
- Kate Mulvany as Janet
Jonno Davies as “Robbie Williams” in ‘Better Man’ from Paramount Pictures.
List of Biopics Based on Musicians:
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