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Better Man • Robbie Williams Biopic (2024)

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It was a surprise screening at Fantastic Fest - which is a genre film convention - last night.

A slew of good reactions on Twitter plus a few grumbles (I don’t think this is an audience that would normally go in for musicals or pop stars).

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    Btw, just wanted to say thanks to Joseph & Philip for unlimited by pages threads nowadays. So I suppose you have already noted now the Better Man thread is combined and not divided anymore :)

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    Better Man review by Bobby Blakey Throughout the years there have been a ton of biographical films focusing on the careers of musicians and bands. Within them there are a select few that took a more

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It was a surprise screening at Fantastic Fest - which is a genre film convention - last night.

A slew of good reactions on Twitter plus a few grumbles (I don’t think this is an audience that would normally go in for musicals or pop stars).

 

 

Thanks for that heads up Kathryn. Interesting looking audience :P

 

 

Edited by Sydney11

Better Man Review: Robbie Williams Is Played By A CGI Ape In The Strangest Biopic Ever Made [Fantastic Fest]

 

Not since the Wachowskis swung for the fences with "Cloud Atlas" has so much money been spent on a motion picture with such a strong flavor of potential fiasco. To describe "Better Man" to someone who has not seen it is to watch their face scrunch into disbelief, because surely you're pulling their leg.

 

It's wholly believable that the director of "The Greatest Showman" would make a biopic following the life of English pop star Robbie Williams. And it's a full-blown musical too, with characters breaking into songs outside of the concert sequences. It's also believable, albeit eyebrow-raising, to learn that the film is stylized to the point of pure absurdity, with its musical sequences defying all laws of cinema and reality, frequently tearing the film into the realm of pure, literal fantasy. And while it hits every expected musician biopic trope, it may surprise some to learn that it doesn't sand off the harsh edges, fully embracing an R-rating with its depiction of sex, drugs, and (somehow) extreme violence.

 

But then you get to the animal in the room: Robbie Williams is played by a CGI chimpanzee in the film. Yes, really. Brought to life via motion capture, Williams is the only non-human in the film, wearing clothes and driving cars and performing on stage and snorting cocaine and enduring a difficult rehab and doing everything else you'd expect someone to do in a musical biopic. He just looks like Caesar from "Planet of the Apes," and no one in the movie acknowledges it. Even the most standard, iamspamspamamisink drama scenes are complicated visual effects shots. You will believe a mo-cap ape can shoot up heroin, and that the movie will treat it with a purely straight face.

 

Some people will despise "Better Man" on principle, and I wouldn't call them wrong. But while many viewers may recoil in disgust, director Michael Gracey has made my kind of fiasco. Swings this insane deserve some kind of respect, and frankly, this is the kind of swing that earns my instant and undivided attention. And potential obsession.

 

This is the point in the review where I tell you that, as a filthy American, I have zero knowledge about the life and career of Robbie Williams, who is a big deal in the U.K. but barely registers in the United States beyond his tracks being popular in gay clubs. But after "Better Man" played to a bewildered audience as a secret screening at the 2024 edition of Fantastic Fest, I called a colleague with more musical knowledge than me, described the more extreme imagery and choices the movie makes, and was told, without hesitation "Yep, that sounds like Robbie Williams." So I'll leave it to the expert on that front: this movie's big choices make a certain kind of sense, to the people who know what's up.

 

So, what can I say as a non-fan dumped into this ambitious, formally deranged experience? I can say that Williams, who voices his own ape-self (Jonno Davis provides the motion capture performance itself) is quite good, capturing Williams' confrontational sense of humor and deep despair well. I can also say that the movie doesn't treat its main character, despite (once again) being a CGI ape, as a joke or a gag. This is not a parody. In fact, the choice is inspired by Williams himself, who has described himself as feeling like a dancing monkey throughout his career. Gracey just takes that image and runs with it.

 

The film's style may be extreme, but the basic building blocks and plot beats on display are as straightforward as something like "Walk the Line" or "Ray." If there is a joke present, the joke is that there isn't a joke. It certainly helps that the visual effects that bring chimp Williams to life are quite good, and wholly convincing. This isn't a "Cats" situation, where the effects look rushed or sloppy. After a half hour, you've just fully accepted that this musical biopic stars a CGI ape. Once again: if that's the joke, that we just eventually treat one of the most absurd choices in cinematic history as something normal after a few minutes, I offer full and un-ironic congratulations to Gracey and his VFX artists.

 

It's disarming how sincere "Better Man" is, and how it wears its heart on its sleeve at all times. Sure, this is the most genre-defying biopic since Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There," but it's still an earnest, by-the-book tale of a musician's rise and fall and rise again. The revolution is entirely visual, an ambitious aesthetic layered over a well-trod series of tropes. It's a sincere movie, perhaps painfully so. Despite the technology involved, this is an old-fashioned movie that hits familiar, comforting biopic beats. Once again ... maybe that's the joke?

 

But I'm not so sure about anything in this movie being a joke, really. After all, once you get used to the fact that the lead character in this Robbie Williams biopic is (say it with me) played by a motion-capture CGI ape, it starts to become the most normal part of the film. He never acts like an ape, and there's never a gag about him doing anything remotely inhuman. He emotes and lives and betrays and breaks down like a human character. You just accept it after a little while. It becomes normal.

 

What's not normal is the visual style Gracey employs, which feels like he rewatched the bombastic musical sequences he crafted for "The Greatest Showman" and decided "Nah, too small, too low-key." Every song in "Better Man" propels the story forward, shattering the rules of time, space, and cinema. If you're feeling comfortable, don't worry, the next musical sequence will do something to break your brain. By the time the musical sequences have taken on the tone of epic fantasy and even more epic horror, either the film has won you over or lost you entirely. This is vision so big, so pure, so singularly strange that it defies convention even as the script simultaneously clings to convention to make sure the wilder choices don't lose you entirely. Wait. Maybe that's the joke?

 

t truly says something that the CGI lead character here is far from the weirdest, strangest choice the movie makes. Just wait for the Knebworth concert sequence. Heck, just wait for any of the musical numbers, really.

 

I saw a steady stream of people walk out of "Better Man" during its surprise screening. There's a chance this was just the wrong crowd for this movie, or maybe this is the kind of film that plays better when the audience is a bit more prepared for what's going to happen on that screen. My colleague sitting next to squirmed throughout the entire movie, finding it uniquely unpleasant.

 

And I don't blame anyone for having that reaction. "Better Man" is an unclassifiable swing, and one that I can't help but admire it even as I acknowledge that its choices are frequently unusual and even more frequently deranged. This is a biopic made by a mad man, filmed in a visual language that defies categorization, with musical numbers that would make Baz Luhrmann dizzy. And it stars that CGI ape. And I'm pretty sure it's good. I maybe even loved it. I'm not sure. I just know I'm never, ever going to forget it.

 

Film Rating: 7.5 out of 10

 

https://www.slashfilm.com/1672974/better-ma...cgi-ape-biopic/

Edited by Sydney11

Aren't Americans dramatic? :lol:

 

Maybe it's because we know him so well that having him as a monkey doesn't even seem that far fetched? Or is that just me? :P

I'm fairly sure when I first heard that, I just accepted it and moved on.

 

I guess it's a talking point....

 

I like that it's divisive - just like the man himself ^_^

 

at least no one will be able to accuse it of being boring. ;)

 

 

Fantastic Fest 2024: BETTER MAN Uses a Simian Slant to Craft a Strange and Soaring Biopic

 

 

A Robbie Williams biopic that delivers a gut-punch, a tearjerker, and a toe-tapper all rolled into one

 

 

A wild creative leap can make or break a film. In the case of Better Man, it’s thankfully the former–a decision by director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) to depict the lead in this biopic in precisely the way he has always seen himself: as a performing monkey. The man in question is Robbie Williams; at 16, he became a key player in the boy band Take That and their pop music domination in the ’90s. A separation and ensuing solo career saw his singer-songwriter work garner him a series of hit #1 UK singles, six albums entering the top 100 all-time sales charts in the UK, and a Guinness World Record in 2006 for selling 1.6 million tickets in a day for his Close Encounters Tour. He even ventured into a Vegas residency and crooned his way through a duet with Nicole Kidman. Alongside the fame and success, though, were darker moments fueled by his confrontational personality, disruptive demeanor, and substance abuse–all well chronicled by the British tabloids. Better Man is a warts-and-all depiction of Williams’ life and career against the backdrop of nearly two decades of British pop culture.

 

The script from Gracey, co-writing with first-time screenwriters Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson, gives you that foundational through-line that you’d expect from a music biopic; thankfully, the end product is more reminiscent of Rocketman or Walk the Line rather than Bohemian Rhapsody and Back to Black. Gracey takes us through the beats of Williams’ career, relationships, family strife, and ever-deepening descent into addiction. Key moments are brought to life with a dovetail into musical set pieces, where key compositions from William’s catalog are married to grand visual sequences. Rock DJ lights up a Regent Street showstopper, Come Undone underscores a nightmarish sequence that wouldn’t feel out of place in Trainspotting, and Let Me Entertain You fuels a frenetic psychological battle royale as Robbie finally faces up to his own self-judgment and doubt. To be clear, this isn’t a purely whimsical endeavor; sex, drugs, and violence are all presented in unvarnished fashion.

 

Unlike the woeful Bohemian Rhapsody, Better Man does not alter or sanitize the misdeeds of its lead, or his expressions of sexuality. You’re not just reminded how good some of these tunes were as we become privy to how Williams pulled them out and worked them over to become hits, a process facilitated by his longtime collaborator Guy Chambers (Tom Budge). While these tracks fuel some of the more visually and audibly memorable sequences, it’s the quieter moments of the film that are among its most indelible. The time Robbie spends with his nan (a wonderful Alison Steadman), and fellow pop star and first love Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) are standouts. It’s Better Man’s father/son dynamic that sets much of Robbie’s life in motion, with the abandonment and future approval of his father Peter (a spot-on turn from Steve Pemberton) serving as key informers to the damage and the drive that accompanies Williams through his life.

 

Voiced by Williams, this monkey man is realized by the marvelous mo-cap performance of Jonno Davis. The creation is a marvel to behold, not just from a technical viewpoint. Never acknowledged by other characters, never played for laughs or leveraged into the narrative, he is just simply a visual of William’s perception of himself. From a CGI perspective, it’s not quite at the level of the recent …of the Apes movies, but it’s pretty damn close. The film reworks old concerts, performances, and photoshoots to show this monkey-man at the center of the limelight, as Williams very much was. Robbie is imbued with personality and emotive force, whether glimpsed as a young chimp eating a bag of crisps on the TV with his gran, or a pitiful older form, slumped on a toilet with a needle in his arm. At his cheekiest or his most loathsome, it’s impossible to not feel a tug at the heartstrings gazing into his eyes.

 

There’s an element of the film that might be off-putting to some stateside, namely Williams himself. Many stateside have little knowledge of the man, and some may find his cheeky demeanor to be somewhat grating. He’s undeniably the marmite of the Brit-pop world. As an Expat, I was certainly more informed as to the background of the subject and the smattering of UK references in the film, from who the All Saints are, Knebworth, Top of the Pops, Parky, and even the endearing use of The Two Ronnies as a ongoing tether between Robbie and his Nan. Despite this, I urge people to take a chance on such a wild, creative swing that pays off in spades. Switching out the lead for a CGI monkey-man in a way adds a clever layer of accessibility to the project; even if you’re not familiar with the man, the film remains a remarkable take on the all-consuming nature of ego and inner demons. As commented on within the film, “How can you be miserable when you have it all?” That’s the human psyche for you. Fame is no shield from insecurities, and Better Man reminds us of that by blending the fantastical with a solid thud of reality. We see one of the biggest musical stages in the world, with over 125,000 people, and the most human thing there is this CGI monkey.

 

Better Man leverages its simian-styled gimmick to craft a biopic that just soars. It charts the highs and many lows of a life not just under the spotlight, but one wrestling with inner doubt. Michael Gracey’s film is a gut-punch, a tearjerker, and a toe-tapper all rolled into one.

 

Better Man had its US Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2024. A limited release is planned by Warner Brothers for December 25th, 2024, followed by a wide expansion on January 17, 2025.

 

 

https://cinapse.co/2024/09/fantastic-fest-2..._medium=twitter

Edited by Sydney11

Aren't Americans dramatic? :lol:

 

Maybe it's because we know him so well that having him as a monkey doesn't even seem that far fetched? Or is that just me? :P

I'm fairly sure when I first heard that, I just accepted it and moved on.

 

I guess it's a talking point....

 

I like that it's divisive - just like the man himself ^_^

 

at least no one will be able to accuse it of being boring. ;)

 

 

Totally agree Laura :) . I guess it's only unexpected to those who do not know him but even they seem to have got it very quickly having watched the movie . It will actually be interesting to see how it goes down with the actual fans . It sounds totally exciting to me & I look forward to seeing it in all it's glory :)

Plus we've all seen this - basically a preview seven years ago B-)

 

Robbie Williams appears as a CGI MONKEY in first look at 'fantastical' biopic Better Man as new trailer sees singer's life from school to the stage

 

Robbie Williams appeared as a CGI monkey as the new trailer for his upcoming 'fantastical' biopic, Better Man, dropped on Wednesday. The singer-songwriter, 50, has been working on the project since 2021 - with the film set for release on December 26. The first look clip, sees Robbie, played by actor Jonno Davies, through his life from school to the stage as his hit track, Let Me Entertain You, plays in the background.

 

In the voiceover, he explains: 'I know what you’re thinking. What’s with the monkey?

 

'I’m one of the biggest popstars in the world. But, I’ve always seen myself as a little less evolved. While Jonno, takes on the role of younger Robbie, the singer is heard in the voiceover and later plays the older version of himself.

 

From Greatest Showman director, Michael Gracey, it also stars Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow, Liam Head as Mark Owen, Jesse Hyde as Howard Donald and Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange.

 

Sharing a first look to X, he captioned the video: 'Based on a true story… ‘BETTER MAN’ - coming soon. Visit betterman.robbiewilliams.com/ for more info and global release dates.'

 

The official synopsis reads: '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.

 

'Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit.

 

'It follows Robbie’s 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.'

 

Last year, filming for the biopic saw actors dancing on the streets of London clad in blue suits. In photographs shared of the filming, the cast embarked on a huge energetic dance scene on Regent Street. The outfits were reminiscent of the band's ensembles for the Brit Awards in 1994, where they played a Beatles Medley on stage. Jonno, who is playing a young Robbie, sported a brown CGI suit for the shots.

 

Robbie is preparing to face off against Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in the bid for the Best Original Song at next year's Oscars, thanks to the film.

 

The star is set to submit his tune Forbidden Road to be considered for the 2025 Academy Awards.

 

However he will face stiff competition, with superstars Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande set to also be in the running for songs from their respective films Joker: Folie à Deux and Wicked.

 

Of his Oscars bid, a source told The Sun: 'Robbie is excited not just for the chance to present his movie to the world, but also to have a crack at the Oscars.

 

'Paramount has faith in pushing the tune out to voters and promoting the track with their trailers and promos, of courser there are no guarantees, but he has a stellar reputation.'

 

They added: 'Rob stands a great chance of being shortlisted at the Golden Globes too.

 

'The voters are international and have a greater understand of his contribution to the world of pop and long-term success.'

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/artic...an-trailer.html

Edited by Sydney11

Totally on board for this :cheer:

 

 

 

I'm so glad MIchael Gracy has done something different and original with it and it's not just another standard biopic. B-)

 

 

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Better Man: see Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey in first trailer for biopic

Bizarre but critically acclaimed film from director Michael Gracey is set for a Christmas Day release

 

Robbie Williams fans have been given the first proper glimpse of one of history’s strangest biopics: a retelling of his rise to fame with the Stoke pop singer portrayed by a CGI monkey. Better Man, due for release on Boxing Day in the UK, is directed by Michael Gracey, who helmed The Greatest Showman and turned it into a $435m-grossing, pop chart-topping hit.

 

His new film follows Williams – played by actor Jonno Davies via motion capture technology – as he goes from a fractious childhood to boy-band success with Take That and then solo superstardom: 11 of his 12 studio albums topped the UK charts, as did three greatest hits compilations, and he holds the record for the most Brit awards, with 13. Along the way the film reportedly doesn’t flinch from depicting his animal side, including drug problems and repellent star behaviour.

 

Better Man has played at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals, with the Guardian’s Benjamin Lee giving it a positive review at the latter. “From afar, it sounded like an intensely annoying gimmick, perhaps fitting for an entertainer who can often be intensely annoying himself, but the film … is a surprising winner,” he wrote. “It’s not only Gracey’s electric style and the central gimmick that make Better Man feel like an upgrade, it’s the disarming honesty of Williams and how he’s allowed himself to be portrayed.”

 

With Williams speaking in voiceover, the trailer shows off Gracey’s knack for a song-and-dance number with shots of a vast sequence under Christmas lights in London’s Regent Street – as well as a breezy, very Williams-ish attitude to bad language.

 

Other reviews have also been positive, with Variety writing: “Against all odds, that gimmick works, distinguishing the project from so many other cookie-cutter pop-star hagiographies … if you want to see a chimp doing coke with Oasis, or getting a fateful hand job in front of manager Nigel Martin Smith [played by Damon Herriman], this is your movie.”

 

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/...iler-for-biopic

Would love to have seen a piece of Me & My Monkey feature in the movie but I do not think it's there , it's one of my favourite songs ever & always will be , I put it before Angels a million times over :) , I guess it did not fit in with the storyline so I can understand why it didn't make it..

 

 

 

Edited by Sydney11

Me and My monkey is an excellent song Tess - I agree.

 

Maybe it's not in the movie because in the film (if I've read it right) they don't mention that he's a monkey. It's never acknowledged.

 

What was funny for me, in the trailer is the way the monkey is dressed in all the outfits that we as fans know so well -the tartan kilt, the leather from 1998 Brits, the black and white suit from Knebworth...

I think the trailer was spot on to engage diverse audience groups. This is also a year in entertainment industry when multiple monkey/ape movies and games came out. There were a lot of comments saying this is the next Planet of the apes movie, Monkey man etc. I truly hope many will discover Robbie's songs and live performance.
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