15 hours ago, elisabeth1974 said:

So the huge plans are cancelled to your opinion, Alex?

Many of us have thought he would invest in USA and maybe he would if the movie would have been successful.

For South America I am wondering that he still seems to be famous there after he has not toured there since 2006? They seem to be even more faithful than Germany.

It might be a financial strategy, but if I see that TT really went to places they had not been a long time, I wonder why Rob is not doing this.

What about the album? If it will be out only end of the year then the tour will have the old songs again? Then I read this morning that there are some requests of football clubs to boycott the club WM in the USA which would mean that once again he is in bad luck (despite I don't think the boycott will happen)

What about Dubai, hopeium? In the moment I have the feeling he had given up again on the huge attempts and is back to the standard Rob whichis for me sometimes not serious enough (I mean the music and career topics not his struggles).

You could be right, Liz.

Very fast giving up of the bigger success - it's Robbie's style since ~2013.

I'd very sad if even World Cup (Club) is not happenning as scheduled. It would be a disaster and really bad luck.

I sttill HOPE Robbie himself will come to Brasil or Japan this March, otherwise what's purpose to change the dates for these markets??

There were not big movies in theaters during last 1month.

I do like this post :)

4K/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital News

Robbie Williams’ “Better Man” Arrives On Digital February 11 And On 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ Combo & DVD May 13

Irish Film CriticUpdated on February 10, 2025Leave a Commenton Robbie Williams’ “Better Man” Arrives On Digital February 11 And On 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ Combo & DVD May 13

Experience the critically acclaimed and wildly entertaining musical spectacle “Better Man,” arriving to purchase or rent on Digital February 11th from Paramount Home Entertainment. The film will arrive in a 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ Combo as part of the Paramount Presents line on May 13th and will also be available on DVD.

From Michael Gracey, the visionary director of “The Greatest Showman,” “Better Man” has been embraced by both critics and audiences, becoming Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes®, receiving a tremendous 90% audience score, and earning an Academy Award® nomination for Best Visual Effects. Hailed as “wildly inventive” (Pete Hammond, Deadline), “jaw-dropping” (Peter Debruge, Variety), and “deliriously entertaining” (Chris Bumbray, JoBlo), “Better Man” “absolutely sizzles from start to finish” (Perri Nemiroff, Collider).

Fans who purchase “Better Man” on Digital* or 4K Ultra HD™ will have access to over 45 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus content featuring director Michael Gracey and star Robbie Williams, as well as the Oscar®-nominated team behind the spectacular visual effects.

Bonus Features:

• Let Me Entertain You: The Making of Better Man: Director Michael Gracey and star Robbie Williams provide an in-depth look behind the vision and production of the film with additional insight from the cast and crew.

• Monkey Business: The VFX: Meet the visual effects team of Wētā FX as they delve into the process of using cutting-edge technology to bring Better Man to life.

SYNOPSIS

“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.

“Better Man” is rated R for drug use, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity, and some violent content.

Available on Digital February 11th, and on 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ Combo and DVD May 13th

Robbie Williams’ “Better Man” Arrives On Digital February 11 And On 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ Combo & DVD May 13 - Irish Film Critic

3 hours ago, Better Man said:

I do like this post :)

Alex. Have you been able to copy over from Twitter !

Better Man (2024): A Battle for Fame, Forgiveness, and Acceptance

Tavia Millward

9 hours ago4 min read

"Dance for me, monkey, dance." A cruel demand, a metaphor, and the essence of Better Man(2024) - a surreal biopic where fame isn't just a stage but a battleground. Over two hours Robbie Williams wrestles with addiction, self-doubt, and acceptance - culminating in a mind-blowing CGI fight that feels more like a Planet of the Apes than a pop star redemption.

Robbie Williams (Jonno Davies) is not just another troubled musician in a UK biopic—he’s a performer trapped in a relentless act, always on stage, even when no one's watching. The film introduces us to young Robbie, bonding with his father, Peter (Steve Pemberton), over Frank Sinatra songs. Their shared love of performance is the foundation of Robbie’s dreams, but when his father abruptly leaves, it plants the first seed of abandonment that will haunt him for years.

Teenage Robbie, craving validation, flunks school and throws himself into the spotlight, auditioning for a boy band. He’s brash, reckless, and desperate to prove himself. His talent gets him through the door, but even as he rises to fame, he remains the outsider—never fully accepted by his bandmates, never truly belonging. Fame gives him everything, yet nothing he needs.

Betty (Alison Steadman) and Young Robbie (Carter-J Murphy)

As the years pass, Robbie leans into the chaos, drinking excessively and spiralling into drug addiction. His departure from the band isn't just a career shift—it’s another rejection, reinforcing his deepest fears: he isn’t good enough, he isn’t wanted, and no one sees his true potential.

The voices in his head—the ones we all have—grow louder, feeding his insecurities. And just as he reaches rock bottom, his estranged father suddenly returns, eager to manage his now-famous son. But is it love, or is it business? Peter ignores the addiction, the crumbling relationships, and the wreckage of his son’s life. As long as Robbie keeps performing and dancing like the monkey everyone expects him to be, the show must continue.

It all leads to Wembley Stadium, the biggest concert of his life, and his final reckoning. The film takes a surreal turn as Robbie, during his performance, is confronted by physical manifestations of his self-doubt, addiction, and childhood trauma. In a jaw-dropping CGI sequence, he fights distorted versions of himself—each one a different era, a different failure, a different voice whispering that he’ll never be enough.

Robbie Williams (Jonno Davies) performing live

It’s one of the most unexpected moments in any musical biopic—a sequence that blends Black Swan levels of psychological horror with Planet of the Apes intensity. But this isn’t just about spectacle; it’s the emotional climax of his story. For the first time, Robbie doesn’t try to drown out his demons with alcohol or applause—he faces them head-on, tearing them apart one by one. And when the dust settles, he’s left with the one part of himself he’s avoided for so long: his inner child.

Robbie enters rehab, reconciles with his past relationships, and makes amends—not just to others, but to himself. His journey isn’t wrapped up in a neat bow, but it doesn’t have to be. The final scene is a quiet, full-circle moment: Robbie at his grandmother’s grave, watching telly, just as they used to. No audience, stage, or performance—just Robbie, finally at peace.

In the end, Better Man is about more than the highs and lows of fame. It’s about the long road to self-acceptance, the weight of childhood wounds, and the power of forgiveness—not just of others, but of oneself. Robbie doesn’t just return to music; he reclaims it. And when he finally sings cabaret with his father in front of a crowd, it’s no longer for validation—it’s a choice, a moment of closure, and maybe, just maybe, a step toward something real.

 

Behind the Scenes of Better Man: A CGI Masterclass in Musical Storytelling

Blending CGI with a musical biopic is an ambitious feat, but Better Man pushes the boundaries of digital storytelling, transforming an intimate tale of fame and self-destruction into a visually striking spectacle. Unlike traditional CGI-heavy blockbusters, where effects serve as external world-building, the visual effects in Better Man are entirely psychological, illustrating Robbie Williams’ internal struggles through surreal, hyper-stylized imagery. From seamless motion capture to integrating digital doubles in emotionally charged performances, the production team faced the unique challenge of merging the expressive physicality of a musical with the weightlessness of CGI—a task rarely attempted in this genre.

One of the film’s most technically demanding sequences—the climactic battle between Robbie and his fragmented selves—required months of pre-visualization, choreography, and cutting-edge performance capture. Each version of Robbie, from the young boy dreaming of stardom to the jaded rockstar drowning in excess, was played by lead actor Jonno Davies, digitally manipulated to interact with his other personas in real time. Unlike action films that rely on stunt doubles, Better Man demanded that every movement be emotionally grounded, meaning Davies had to fight versions of himself while maintaining the authenticity of a stage performer. The challenge was to ensure that the spectacle did not overshadow the raw vulnerability of the scene—an achievement that speaks to both the film’s technological advancements and Davies' acting prowess.

To bring musicality to the CGI-heavy sequences, the filmmakers developed a groundbreaking motion-sync system that mapped body movement to the film’s soundtrack, ensuring a natural rhythm in every digitally enhanced scene. This was particularly crucial for the concert sequences, where Robbie’s performances had to blend live-action choreography with digital augmentation. Every camera move, lighting cue, and digital enhancement was meticulously planned to maintain the feeling of a live concert while allowing for seamless transitions into heightened, dreamlike moments. By engineering a post-production pipeline that prioritized organic movement over artificial perfection, Better Man sets a new standard for integrating digital effects into musical storytelling.

Perhaps the greatest triumph of Better Man is how it uses CGI not as a gimmick but as an emotional tool—elevating the film’s themes of fame, identity, and redemption. The film doesn’t just show Robbie battling his demons; it immerses the audience in the disorienting, hyper-real world of his fractured psyche. This fusion of technology and emotion transforms the biopic genre, proving that visual effects can be as powerful in conveying human vulnerability as they are in crafting fantasy landscapes. For actors, filmmakers, and cinephiles alike, Better Man is a masterclass in how innovation can serve storytelling, redefining what’s possible when artistry and technology collide.

Better Man (2024): A Battle for Fame, Forgiveness, and Acceptance

https://www.millhousemoviemoments.com/

Very good video and thoughts!!

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Video thanks to Germaine

Edited March 5Mar 5 by Sydney11

Better Man is a part of the Carnival in Rio ;)

Video thanks to Starbot

CNN Brasil

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I have seen it twice. How about you ! 😎

8 hours ago, Sydney11 said:

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I have seen it twice. How about you ! 😎

4 times in cinema + 1 time on TV :)

Actually there are only few films I've seen twice in cinemas: Tron 2, Prometheus, The Gentlemen and Prestige.

And only one film before Better Man I've watched 4 times in cinema - it's Pirates Of The Caribbean Part 1.

So, it's really rare case for me. Of course, the RW power is the main reason but the quality of the film and its fresh is the reason number 2, for sure.

I am still amazed how great this movie is reviewed around so many different countries. Even with the success not mirroring this it is special. I wonder how the revenue is now. Should be around 23 million.

Alex, you are the champion in watching the movie I feel. I have seen it one time in the cinema but will buy the DVD.

11 hours ago, elisabeth1974 said:

I wonder how the revenue is now. Should be around 23 million.

Yes.

I think around 24 millions.
We know about Mojo stats (20.3M) but we also know that the data from US has been stopped providing since 1st Feb. Same with UK, Italy, Spain, Germany.

So, USA could add around 1M during 1 month, Germany - 1-1.5M, Spain & Italy - 0.5 combined and 0.5 from other markets tohether totally.

So, waiting for 1-2 millions from Latin market in total and 25-26M could be the final stats of Better Man cinema release.

Not bad podact about BM in Spanish but you can use subtitles/translation.

Another good conversation about the film:

**. Deep Dive Movie Reviews contain spoilers **

0:00 - Intro

1:18 - An “ape” is playing Robbie Williams??

1:58 - The impact Robbie Williams had on James

6:40 - A different take on music biopic troupes

17:17 - The surreal scenes in " Better Man" actually work

19:20 - Steve & James disagree

24:18 - Final Score for “Better Man”