Another viral video about BM :)

It's a new Superman actor.

Well this is interesting to say the least. Newstalk radio do a movie review every week & back when Better Man was released at Cinemas they skipped over Better Man & briefly said they hated it at the time. I happened to be listening to the radio yesterday evening & as Better Man is now available on Prime they mentioned it in their reviews & guess what !!, 😊

Have a listen in the link below ( It starts at approx 05.38 )

Movies and TV: Washington Blac…–The Hard Shoulder – Apple Podcasts

Yes, much better now :)

Robbie Williams film lead is a Better Man for new biopic short

• by Chris Newbould

• July 25, 2025

Manchester animation and video production company BWS has unveiled its latest original short, The Man Behind the Monkey, starring acclaimed British actor Jonno Davies – fresh from his internationally lauded role as Robbie Williams in the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man.

Davies’ performance in Better Man has already broken new ground: He was awarded Best Lead Actor in Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, making him the first actor in the award’s 67-year history to win for a motion-capture role.

Inspired by the emotional depth of that performance, BWS founder Ben Wild approached Davies to create a more intimate, narrative-led film exploring the craft and vulnerability of the actor himself. The result is The Man Behind the Monkey, a stripped-back, character-focused short offering a glimpse beyond the spotlight into the personal process of transformation.

BWS founder Wild said: “Jonno’s performance in ‘Better Man’ is nothing short of mesmerising. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to collaborate. ‘The Man Behind the Monkey’ strips away the gloss and invites audiences to meet the artist — raw, honest, and real.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, Davies said: “When Ben contacted me, I was instantly drawn to the idea. It wasn’t about flashy sets — it was about storytelling at its most human. I was really impressed with BWS’s visual storytelling — they’re always finding fresh ways to bring ideas to life. This project gave me space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with why I love acting.”

Best known for standout roles in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Hunters (Amazon Prime), and his breakout performance as Alex Delarge in A Clockwork Orange on stage, Davies is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most exciting acting talents, with a growing international following.

BWS has built an impressive portfolio, producing creative work for brands including the Premier League, CBBC, New Balance, and Amazon Prime. With The Man Behind the Monkey, the studio adds to its growing slate of original content that blends craft, emotion, and visual innovation.

The Man Behind the Monkey is available to watch now exclusively via BWS YouTube Channel. Better Man is also available to watch now on Amazon Prime, and speaking as someone that isn’t a massive fan of boy bands but did used to be a film critic, it’s actually rather good.

https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/robbie-williams-film-lead-is-a-better-man-for-new-biopic-short/

Here it is:

I finished this on Amazon Prime.

Third time I've watched it and my favourite parts are definitely the dance sequence with "Nicole" and the Knebworth scenes. Brilliantly done.

I did wonder though what his Dad made of how he was portrayed - whether he thought it was honest because it certainly wasn't complimentary. Now Pete is in poor health -I wonder if Robbie regrets any of the scenes about his Dad and how he treated his son?

10 hours ago, Laura130262 said:

10 hours ago, Laura130262 said:

finished this on Amazon Prime.

Third time I've watched it and my favourite parts are definitely the dance sequence with "Nicole" and the Knebworth scenes. Brilliantly done.

I did wonder though what his Dad made of how he was portrayed - whether he thought it was honest because it certainly wasn't complimentary. Now Pete is in poor health -I wonder if Robbie regrets any of the scenes about his Dad and how he treated his son?

He said back in January that his Dad's character was written through the eyes of his Mum . Family relationships can be funny , I guess they did it their way whatever that was . He loves his Mum & Dad so seeing what is happening to them must be really tough.

Excerpt from Time Out magazine

What were the most difficult moments you had to relive for "Better Man"?

The worst thing for me was the relationship I had with my ex-fiancée Nicole Appleton (singer of the All Saints, editor's note). Everyone else in the movie had done something to me, but she was a good person and I was the bad guy. She got the worst version of me. I'm still ashamed of that.

And then the thing with my grandmother and the thing with my dad weren't easy either. In the movie, you see my mother's version of what happened back then. I'm sure my father has his own version. There are things I never discussed with him. I actually don't want him to see the movie. But I also want people to know that he's very charming and that everyone falls in love with him straight away.

Full interview here

Who Is Robbie Williams? Singer Talks Better Man and America | TIME

Edited July 27Jul 27 by Sydney11

I think his father still loves Robbie and what he has reached. Due the fact the original Albert Hall thing was without Pete but Michael and Robbie have decided to implement Pete there means all is good and fine between Rob and Pete and Rob thinks his father took a big part of this success too.

Hope Pete's health will be better

Lol

I love this poster ❤️

Better Man OTT Release: Robbie Williams’ Musical Biopic with a Quirky Twist Coming to India This August

Better Man OTT Release: Robbie Williams’ Musical Biopic with a Quirky Twist Coming to India This August

By Farhan Khan

Better Man OTT Release: Robbie Williams’ Musical Biopic with a Quirky Twist Coming to India This August

Music lovers and movie fans, mark your calendars! The much-talked-about biopic of British pop icon Robbie Williams, Better Man, is finally making its way to Indian OTT screens. But this isn’t your usual celebrity story. Instead of an actor playing Robbie, the lead character is… a computer-generated chimpanzee! Yes, you read that right. This fun and unusual twist has already caught global attention and even earned the movie an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 97th Academy Awards.

When and Where to Watch in India
Indian audiences can stream Better Man starting August 29, 2025 on Lionsgate Play and OTTplay Premium. The film, directed by Michael Gracey, promises to be more than just a timeline of Robbie’s life — it’s a creative, emotional, and sometimes humorous look into the mind of one of the biggest names in pop music.

A Journey from Small-Town Boy to Global Superstar
Robbie Williams’ story is one of grit, talent, and resilience. The film takes viewers back to his early years in a small town, painting a picture of his childhood dreams and struggles. We then see his rise to fame as a member of the hugely popular boy band Take That, where his charisma and voice won millions of fans.

But Better Man doesn’t stop at the glossy moments of success. It dives deep into the personal challenges Robbie faced when the spotlight turned too bright. His battles with addiction, the pressures of fame, and struggles with mental health are portrayed honestly, making this a story that feels real and relatable.

Why a Chimpanzee? The Director’s Creative Vision
One of the biggest talking points of Better Man is the decision to portray Robbie Williams as a computer-generated chimpanzee. It’s not just a random gimmick — it’s a symbolic and playful way to explore the wild, unpredictable, and sometimes misunderstood nature of his life.

Robbie himself loved the idea. In an interview with USA Today, he revealed that when director Michael Gracey shared the concept with him, he thought it was “absolutely genius.” He also made sure to clarify — it’s a chimpanzee, not a monkey, because chimps don’t have tails. This small detail just shows the level of thought that went into the movie’s design.

Not Just Music, But a Personal Connection
While the film covers Robbie’s professional highs, it also focuses on the bond he shares with his fans. Expect to see re-creations of his live concerts, iconic stage performances, and the electric energy he brings to every show. This makes Better Man a treat not only for long-time fans but also for anyone who loves powerful musical storytelling.

The chimpanzee portrayal adds a layer of humor and whimsy, but the film never loses its emotional depth. It’s a celebration of Robbie’s creativity, a reflection on his struggles, and a reminder that even the most famous stars are human at heart — or in this case, human… with a digital twist.

Why You Should Watch Better Man
If you think you’ve seen every kind of musical biopic, Better Man will surprise you. It blends heartfelt drama with experimental storytelling, combining visual innovation with a soundtrack that takes you through decades of Robbie’s career. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just curious about the man behind hits like Angels and Feel, this movie offers something fresh and entertaining.

Plus, with its mix of real-life struggles, emotional honesty, and imaginative visuals, Better Man is the kind of film that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Final Thoughts
Robbie Williams’ Better Man is more than just a life story — it’s a creative adventure that shows the highs and lows of fame through an unexpected lens. With its OTT release in India on August 29, 2025, fans finally get the chance to see how a cheeky CGI chimp can bring one of music’s biggest personalities to life.

So, grab your popcorn, clear your schedule, and get ready for a musical journey unlike any other.

Better Man OTT Release: Robbie Williams’ Musical Biopic with a Quirky Twist Coming to India This August | Geeks

On 15/08/2025 at 22:22, Better Man said:

Thanks for the link Alex ..

Some kind of the offtopic but it fits well :)

Another portion of only good comments about the movie 😋

nakecake101

@snakecake101

·

12h

Btw Better Man, the Robbie Williams movie feels like something from a distant past when people knew how to tell stories with precision and style and heart. Probably one of the best music biopics ever.

snakecake101 on X:

Edited August 24Aug 24 by Sydney11

Robbie Williams on Better Man: "My Grandma Was The Most Important Relationship I Had"

Pop icon Robbie Williams opens up about his relationship with his family members. Read the full story here.

Exclusive

Written by Srijita Sen

Published on Aug 27, 2025, 12:24 IST

The biographical musical drama Better Man doesn’t just explore Robbie Williams' rise in the music industry, but also the people who shaped him most deeply. The pop icon plays himself in the film, portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee. Brought to life through motion capture by actor Jonno Davies and co-voiced by Williams, this choice stems from his own perception of himself as a “performing monkey” and director Michael Gracey’s vision of the project as a satirical musical.

At the heart of this documentary lies Williams’ relationship with the people who shaped him, beginning with his father, Peter. The singer opened up about his family members who were instrumental in his journey and spoke about how each of them left an indelible mark on him and his musical career. "There were not many people from where I'm from who would even dream of being in the entertainment industry because it was not available to us to have that kind of dream," began Williams.

Williams' father, Peter Williams (Pete Conway), a comedian and a singer, was also his first window into the world of entertainment. In Better Man, we see how Conway influences Williams and also get a peek into the dysfunctional relationship between them. He continued, "But yet, my dad was part of that dream. He lived it. He was in it. So I could see that it was possible. The way my father talked about people in his industry that he admired and loved was like he was talking about the gods. My relationship with my father has been one with him as my hero. He's charismatic, engaging, and a wonderful company. Everybody loves Peter, and no one more than me."

Speaking about the different influences of his parents, Williams continued, "While my father is incredibly charismatic and naturally talented, he didn't have the drive that my mum has. My mum has the ambition, the steel, and the grit. She doesn't take no for an answer. I'm a mixture of both of them. I've got my mum's drive and my father's ability to entertain people."

In Better Man, Kate Mulvany essays the role of Williams’ mother. Praising her performance, he shared, "Kate (Mulvany) plays an incredible version of my mum. There's quite a power within my mum. She's a formidable lady. She started a business in a poorer part of town by getting a loan and then making enough money to move to a more affluent part of town – affluent for Stoke-on-Trent – and made successes out of these things. And Kate has that power within her that's definitely like my mum.”

While his parents gave him ambition and charisma, Williams revealed that his grandmother gave him something even more profound. "My relationship with my grandma was the most important relationship I had on the planet before meeting my wife, because there is nothing more important than unconditional love. And whereas my parents had to parent me, my grandma just loved me. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't understand selfless love, where it comes from, and what it means."

Robbie Williams on Better Man: "...

Robbie Williams on Better Man: "My Grandma Was The Most I...

Pop icon Robbie Williams opens up about his relationship with his family members. Read the full story here.

Better Man review: An intriguing tale of an ego driven showman!

27 Aug 2025 10:00 IST

Aishwarya Srinivasan

Better Man stars a CGI chimpanzee as the lead instead of an actual actor to play Britain’s pop star Robbie Williams, and it actually fits. 

Better Man review: Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man is a biopic about Robbie Williams. Just like me, many of you might not know who he is but it turns out he was a big deal to all of Britain at one point. Better Man on the surface, sounds like yet another biopic on a musician but what makes it different and stand out from the plethora of films in this genre is that the lead here is a chimpanzee who stands as a metaphor for his entire life. It sounds like a wild choice in comparison to actually casting an actor to play him but as Robbie Williams himself mentions in an interview, he often feels like a performing monkey and the makers of the film seem to have taken his word quite literally!

The story takes us through all the expected beats in a musician’s life. From his breakthrough as a member of ‘Take That’ to his record breaking career as a solo artist, we go through it all! But the CGI ape gimmick not only works for the best but also adds a humorous touch to it. If you’d want to watch the journey of a musician in a quintessential way, there’s a plethora of movies and documentaries for that but if you want to watch a monkey cast as the lead, doing coke in the bathroom or let his ego grow bigger each day then this movie is one hundred percent your vibe! It’s like Planet of The Apes blending into a dazzling musical which somehow just gets you interested about a public figure you absolutely had no idea about!

There’s also a lot of life lessons to learn from Robbie Williams. His mistakes, his positive outlook towards life and his charm even in his darkest moments serve as a reminder to keep your inner child alive no matter what! More than a biopic, the movie eventually made me feel like I am watching the life of a fictional showman where there’s romance, drama, extravagant musical numbers and the double edged sword that we call fame! The supporting characters not only elevate William’s story but also have arcs of their own that you either feel deeply for or understand why certain people were important to include to portray his journey.

The film is about how Robbie Williams becomes a ‘better man’ as the title suggests. The CGI for the chimp in the lead is so accurate that it almost feels like an actor has put on a mask to bring all the emotions to the table like any other human would! More than a biopic, I’d describe Better Man as the ideal watch for a weekend binge, it sure isn’t something that we’ve seen before!

Better Man is currently streaming on LionsgatePlay!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.socialketchup.in/review/better-man-review-9742546

Williams is played by a CGI monkey in wildly enjoyable musical biopic

BySantanu Das

Published on: Aug 29, 2025 06:10 am IST

The central gimmick never gets into the way for director Michael Gracey to deliver a ridiculously entertaining and sincere biopic drama in Better Man.

Director: Michael Gracey

Star rating: ★★★★

For those aware of the mad genius of English singer and songwriter Robbie Williams, there's a special thrill in watching the man's origin story come alive in Better Man. For those who don't, it might lead you to Google his name right after this film ends and listen to his songs like the next hyperfixation. That he is played by a CGI monkey throughout is honestly an insane and ballistic gimmick by director Michael Gracey. But wait and give this film a chance, as its documentation of the rise and fall (and rise again) of this star is simply pitch-perfect.

Better Man is now available to stream on Lionsgate Play.

The premise

“I want to show you how I really see myself,” is the chief reason Gracey demands in detailing Williams' journey, as the singer himself thought that he was no less than a performing monkey. It is a master move that initially feels too ridiculous, but once that hesitation is removed, the character's story—told with vivacious style and form—comes front and centre. It should not work, and yet it does.

Make no mistake, Williams always knew that he wanted to be famous, and the film relies on this singular ambition to take the early stages of his story forward, while also confronting the limitations of the genre itself. This man is present as the world around him changes as per perception, and there is no real transformative moment that makes his life all the more illuminating.

What works

Better Man treats stardom not like some ringmaster that helps in rediscovery- our man-monkey (so effectively embodied by Jonno Davies, with Williams himself tuning in the voiceover) is very much aware of his own shortcomings. He exists somewhere in between a man and a persona, a performer and a maniac. He is just a man battling his own ego. The balance is wonderfully brought out here, and is a rare portrait of a man seeing himself less kindly than the world. The subject is treated with an amiable quality, but there is also a steady mix of self-deprecation that does not shy away from taking shots at the ridiculousness of what a star machine this can be. It is tongue-in-cheek at times, but also piercingly honest and self-aware as a whole.

What makes the film truly fly is the go-for-broke ambition displayed here, specifically in the excellently choreographed song sequences. The one-shot Rock DJ sequence is one for the ages. It is exuberant and fantastical, as anything I have seen in the films, aided by Erik A. Wilson's stunning camerawork and the seamless editing of Jeff Groth, Spencer Susser, Martin Connor, Lee Smith, and Patrick Correll.

Final thoughts

As stylish as it is, Better Man also has its moments of restraint and control, never choosing to shy away from the messier bits of William's story. His relationship with girlfriend Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) gets to a dark place. It is all there, in circumstance. And it all works in shaping the story of this man who ultimately faces his own status as a celebrity. It is not aspirational; it is so much more than what he wanted. Incredibly alive and endlessly entertaining, this coming-of-ape story delivers big time.

https://t.co/knXqrV1fBV

Video thanks to https://www.youtube.com/@AverageIntelligenceProductions