Released: 26th December 2024
Length: 135 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Director: Michael Gracey
Starring: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Raechelle Banno, Jake Simmance, Liam Head, Jesse Hyde and Chase Vollenweider
Musical biopics continue to be popular in modern cinema with artists like Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley making their way to the silver screen. Better Man marks the turn of Robbie Williams with the help of Michael Gracey and his production crew. It may not rank at the top of the pile, but it’s still a very enjoyable musical.
Starting in the 1980s in Stoke-On-Trent, Robert Peter Williams grows up aspiring to be an entertainer like his father and classical idols; his big chance comes when he auditions for the new boyband Take That and they go on to take the nation by storm. From this turning point, we see the beginnings of his solo career and ultimate peak at Knebworth in 2003. Williams is presented as a CGI monkey from start to finish with a combination of motion capture work from Jonno Davies and narration from the man himself. Throughout the narrative, Better Man cuts back to Robbie’s close relationships with his family and All-Saints singer Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno). The tone is both wild and reflective; Robbie makes no attempt to whitewash or hide his personal problems, making the story more authentic. The film doesn’t quite cover the full spectrum of events. Notably, Robbie’s reunion with Take That and other moments throughout the 2010s aren’t included. Ultimately, Better Man achieves what it sets out to do; showing how fame affected Robbie and the way he grew and matured over time, reaching the titular namesake.
Better Man boasts some good drama that unfolds both in and out of the spotlight. Between the narration, live events and motion capture, the singer is able to draw the viewer in quickly. Robert’s close bond with his nan Betty is always on top form and the way he rubs shoulders with other British musicians results in some unstable, substance-fuelled fights. Despite not using a full likeness, Robbie’s emotions and facial expressions are strong, presenting all his ups and downs to the world. With all that said, many of the side characters have small roles and could have had more material, most notably the Take That members. Jake Simmance, Liam Head, Jesse Hyde and Chase Vollenweider all do great work in the singing and dancing, but there is some missed potential for them in the latter half of the film.
Michael Gracey has already proven his talent for grand sequences with The Biggest Showman and he continues to do so in Better Man; Robbie’s biggest hits land on camera with superb choreography and excellent camerawork. Things start off small at first with the young Carter J. Murphy’s rendition of “Feel”, which ties into Robbie’s home life and his absent father. Further down the line, “Rock DJ” is the biggest and best highlight of the production. Robbie and his Take That bandmates dance through Regent Street in London with the crowd gradually growing larger, showing off their enormous fanbase. By contrast, “Come Undone” shows the leading man regretting his mistakes as he splits from Take That. Every track is well in tune with the story, creating an intense ambience and driving momentum. On the other side, we have the curious choice of CGI; on a base level it emphasises how Robbie is willing to make fun of himself with the underlying theme of what fame does to a person. When you look beyond that, the monkeys represent his inner demons, the voices in his head telling him that he isn’t good enough and driving him to depression. For these moments the creative choice works to show how Robbie overcame his sense of self-doubt. At other moments, it does tip the scale; a fight scene with many monkeys at the Knebworth concert sticks out like a sore thumb and may be too abstract for some audiences.
It may not include every detail and have some odd moments here and there but Better Man is a frank and honest look at Robbie Williams both on and off the stage. Any mega-fan of the singer will be enthralled and can add an extra star. For everyone else, it’s a capable and well-helmed look at one of the UK’s biggest celebrities.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars (Good)
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