Movies

Better Man review: Unique Robbie Williams biopic is one of the best movies of the year

BBG News

As someone who has spent countless hours watching biopics and documentaries about musicians, I can confidently say that Better Man is not just another run-of-the-mill biopic. It’s a breath of fresh air, a cinematic masterpiece that will leave you in awe this Christmas season.

You might think we’ve come undone to call Better Man one of the best movies of the year, but we guarantee you’ll feel the same and agree that it’s something beautiful when it comes to entertain you in cinemas this Christmas.

From this point forward, we’ll cease using Robbie Williams references, as we want to make it clear that our admiration for “Better Man” is sincere and not a playful attempt at jesting.

An extraordinary (and imaginative) twist on a conventional rise-and-fall biographical film, with the unusual casting of a CGI chimp as the main character being just one of its less surprising elements.

Regardless of your fondness for Robbie Williams, this unique spectacle is definitely worth a theater visit during the holiday season, even if you haven’t seen anything like it before.

To kick things off, let’s delve into the role of the chimpanzee, which might seem like a mere novelty to some. However, it’s important to acknowledge the exceptional work by Weta FX and the outstanding performance by Jonno Davies, who embodies Robbie Williams through motion-capture, rather than dismissing it as a simple trick.

In my perspective, while Williams certainly captivates us with his narration and melodious tunes throughout the movie, it’s Davies and the VFX team that truly embody the soul and feelings portrayed. What leaves me in awe is how seamlessly they manage to make this CGI chimp feel so genuine, almost forgetting that I’m watching an animated character – except for one breathtaking Knebworth sequence that stands out as exceptionally wild.

In a similar vein, the story presented here is not unlike others. Frequently, biographical films lose their grit when the subject is personally involved in their creation. Contrary to expectations, this film doesn’t compromise. Instead, it’s unapologetically raw and gloomy, tackling the hardships of fame and the star’s personal battles with its effects.

In simpler terms, despite having a typical structure for a biographical film (the protagonist experiences a downfall before an eventual comeback), the film’s authenticity distinguishes it from many other biopics. Comparable to recent biopics like Rocketman, Better Man is not shy about portraying its subject in his most vulnerable moments.

In his self-deprecating yet insightful narrative within the film, the character is frequently perceived as acting rather arrogantly or obnoxiously.

Like the Elton John biopic, Better Man includes some fantastic musical performances. Not all Robbie Williams’ classic songs are included in this film, but those that are present have been creatively adapted to match the narrative flow, rather than being inserted randomly for no specific reason.

“Rock DJ” transforms into an electrifying tribute to Take That, triumphantly bursting onto Regent Street as a massive dance spectacle.

Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey, known for his work on “The Greatest Showman,” the musical scenes are brimming with creativity and flair. Contrasting the criticisms that “Wicked” is dull and lifeless, “Better Man” demonstrates how theatrical musical performances should truly captivate an audience.

The presentation, including the framing, smooth transitions, and editing, is exceptional, yet it all revolves around storytelling. For example, a beautiful transition in ‘Angels’ displays Robbie reminiscing about watching TV with his grandmother (brilliantly portrayed by Alison Steadman) in a moment reflected on the screen.

As a gamer, I wouldn’t have thought that tears would fall watching a Robbie Williams biopic with a chimpanzee playing the role of Robbie, but trust me, it will happen. And it might just be during the opening ‘Feel’ number, where young chimp Robbie sees his father (Steve Pemberton) leaving him.

In “Better Man,” you’ll find yourself understanding that there was no other method to narrate Robbie Williams’ story. Though he may seem like a chimp in the film, it maintains the same level of irreverence, self-awareness, sincerity, and emotion as its star.

Above all, “Better Man” strives to portray the captivating stage presence of its subject, and it achieves this remarkably well.

Encore please.

Better Man is released in UK cinemas on December 26.

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2024-12-16 15:49

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