Better Man

Well, that's the stats in US yesterday. Again, all will be more clear in 2 weeks. Let's see how many cinemas it will get. You can compare that some big movies have 3000+ cinemas per day. I think if Better Man will get even 500 cinemas we will see the good effect. Interesting that one of the best movie of 2024 (The Count of Monte-Cristo) almost doesn't have any cinemas while September 5 (also Paramount) have not big figures while have almost the same quantity of cinemas like Better Man at the moment.

Yes, Liz, sure I will. While ladies posted also reliable information about box office. Just hoping for a bigger boom with screenings. UxV03sQoZ5o

Kayleigh McKnight, also known as KAELI, is a British singer, songwriter, and actor. She's West End actress too. She sings in She's The One. wnWyC6u7B9o

It's great to hear that the 2nd time you had a much better feeling! And you're right, these 2 people who missed the Knebworth scene lost the very important message of the plot... Hope they will re watch it one day :) Well, seems now many of you have already watched Better Man at least 2 times. It's good!!

https://www.loudersound.com/news/robbie-wil...n-hughes-rocket :heehee:

IMDB rating is growing again! 7.7 now (was 7.6 since Monday) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt14260836/

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:lol: Oh, I understand this quiz part very much b50VEevC8rU

His performance in Melbourne yesterday at Fed Square kzpCsINzHMo

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Well, it was funny to read ))) It probably happened because some people got infected from Americans on Twitter or just celebrated NYE very good :D https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-1424...-countdown.html

Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will also present the star with the Keys to the City to honour his contribution to the state in regards to the movie. Better Man marked the largest film production in the history of the state of Victoria. The production created almost 3,000 jobs, supported over 900 local businesses, and garnered $142 million for the local economy. https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/02/robb...eration-square/

This is an interesting review with some more personal opinion and emotions. 'Better Man is a fun movie, but I must discuss the elephant (aka monkey) in the room.' Tara Watson Senior Entertainment Producer January 2, 2025 Robbie Williams is doing all he can to be a Better Man right now. The iconic singer is seemingly everywhere promoting his new film… just not in the US, as Americans, quite famously, don't have a clue who he is. The biographical musical is directed by The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey, and tells the story of the British pop star. The narrative follows Williams from his working-class childhood through his rise with the boy band Take That, his breakout solo success, gruelling world tour schedules and experiences with addiction. The film weaves Williams' hit songs into his life story, exploring his complex relationship with his father Peter and lifelong battles with self-doubt and mental health. Filmed mostly in Melbourne, the cast features Australian actors Kate Mulvany and Damon Herriman, alongside British talent, Steve Pemberton and Alison Steadman. But most importantly: Williams is not portrayed by some rising star. He is a chimpanzee, naturally! Weirdly… it works for the most part. Like, I was aware that the character had the face of a chimpanzee, but he was also cheeky, charming and charismatic — like Williams. And I never expected a biopic featuring a CGI monkey as its leading man would be so emotionally resonant. Did I cry? Many times! Robbie Williams has lived a life, as one of the most recognisable celebrities of the 21st century (at least, in Europe and Down Under), but at the same time, he was one of the most scrutinised public figures by the tabloids. This is covered in the film, as his high-profile relationship with All Saints singer Nicole Appleton is laid bare in unflattering detail, his pathetic public feud with Liam Gallagher, and his ongoing resentment of the fame he once craved. If you're a fan of Williams, these will be stories you're keen to get his personal take on, and for those newer to the phenomenon that is the 'Angels' singer, they're fun little tidbits of '00s gossip to keep you invested. Fans will adore the musical performances of some of his hits. 'Rock DJ' was a feast for the eyes and ears, performed by Robbie and actors portraying Take That, which doesn't make all that much sense (neither does a singing a monkey) but it doesn't matter. The boy band dances through the streets of London, stomping on cars as a flash mob forms behind them, and it's every bit as spectacular as any musical number in The Greatest Showman. I will admit, I was a little surprised by some of the songs that didn't make the cut in this film. 'Bodies', 'Millennium' and 'Supreme' went without mention, and as an Australian (a fandom on the other side of the planet that has made him millions), a little nod to the Kylie Minogue duet 'Kids' would have been welcomed. It's curious that he omitted some of these hits but performed two full songs that were not his own tunes. I understand that Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' made sense with the narrative as a song that was meaningful to his father, but I could have done without hearing the entirety of 'Land of 1000 Dances' by Wilson Pickett — aanother Robbie classic would have been much better in its place. But overall, there are plenty of hits for fans to enjoy, like the emotionally-charged 'Come Undone', sweeping romance of 'She's the One' and truly heartwrenching 'Feel', performed by Robbie as a young boy whose deadbeat dad just abandoned him. And of course, 'Angels' was truly gorgeous, as it was sung after Robbie's beloved grandmother passed away and her casket was lowered into the ground. Sure, this movie doesn't do subtly, but it does nail sentimentality. It's a big movie with big feelings. Is it a little self-indulgent? Sure. There's a clear 'poor me' narrative that runs throughout that can get a tad tiresome coming from a rich white man. At the same time, Williams is aware that he's an imperfect person, so he's not afraid to show himself at his worst, shedding any sympathy as quickly as he earns it. The thing that probably prevents Better Man from being a forgettable biopic was the one thing I couldn't get past: the CGI monkey. For the film, the actor Jonno Davies performed the motion capture for the monkey's movements, while Williams provided his own voice for the character. The decision to portray Williams as a monkey was because the singer repeatedly referred to himself throughout his early career as a "performing monkey". This would be well and good if it weren't for all the things this monkey would need to do in the movie. Things a monkey should never do. I'm not even talking about the constant drug abuse. After seeing Chimp Robbie snort his 15th line of cocaine, this didn't raise an eyebrow for me. It was the sexual scenes that were too uncomfortable to stomach. I don't want to see an unclothed ape lying in bed with three naked models, or the contorted mug of a chimp kissing the lips of an All Saints member. It's just weird, okay!! Perhaps, the problem is me: the most recent monkey media I consumed was Chimp Crazy, which featured several accounts of people being (quite literally) torn apart by chimpanzees, so it's hard for me to see them as anything more than a wild animal, and definitely not sexy. But really, who would find this sexy?? I'm not opposed to sexy animals, after all, I have seen Kovu in The Lion King: Simba's Pride, and I am only human, but this monkey was just not hot enough! Between the fanged teeth that could bite someone's ear off (it happens!) and the wide-set eyes and thick body hair (if that's your thing, do you!), I just can't be attracted to this monkey man. This wouldn't be a huge problem in other biopics. After all, not everyone has to be sexy. But sadly, Robbie Williams does. Robbie's brand was built on his sex appeal; the type of indescribable allure to inspire thousands upon thousands of women to scream his name in stadiums around Europe and Australia. This was a man known for seducing women in interviews, often ending up making out with the women who did press with him. Between his cheeky grin, bedroom eyes, and edgy tattoos, this man was sex in the early '00s. Yes, he had an impressive singing voice, playful stage presence and songwriting skills, but I'd hazard a guess that most of his fans were first enticed by his physical presence. Williams being a sexless monkey in his biopic speaks more to the singer's view of himself than his legions of fans. This is acknowledged in the film's trailer, as Robbie muses "This is my story but I'm not going to tell it in an ordinary way because I don't see myself how others see me." I'd go as far as to say that it also speaks to a level of ego, too. The casting of a monkey has sidestepped a young, attractive actor who would have (literally) stepped into his shoes and played his younger self, as if it would solidify his dwindling relevance at the age of 50. But monkey business aside, this was a fun ride! It's not exactly breaking the mould for biopics (aside from the aforementioned CGI chimp), with its formulaic narrative structure ending in Robbie's 'apology tour' of sorts, but it worked seamlessly in Better Man, reflecting a lot of addicts' stories. If you're a fan of Robbie Williams, there's a lot to love about this film, and even if you're not, it's still an entertaining ride with a ton of catchy tunes and emotional impact that will have you sobbing between scenes. And yes, there's a singing monkey. https://www.mamamia.com.au/robbie-williams-...ter-man-review/

"That's a Banger": Robbie Williams Tried To Be Eminem for 'Better Man,' but Learned His Lesson [Exclusive] By Chris McPherson Published 13 hours ago Sometimes when you're making a film, particularly one about your own life, it's just as big a challenge to figure out what shouldn't be in the movie as much as what should, and that's exactly what happened for the entertaining and bombastic new movie, Better Man. In an exclusive interview with Collider's Perri Nemiroff for Collider Forces, pop legend Robbie Williams opened up about his creative process for Better Man, the musical biopic chronicling his life, and revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about his approach to the film’s soundtrack. As it turns out, even global superstars like Williams sometimes need a reality check. Better Man chronicles the life of Williams, who has been a pop idol and icon in the United Kingdom for around 30 years now. It follows his early days as a member of the boyband Take That to his rise as a solo superstar, and also explores the darker aspects of Williams’ life, including his struggles with mental health, addiction, and fame. Oh, and he's also portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee in the movie. Discussing his involvement in shaping the music for the film, Williams shared that he initially pushed for certain songs to be included — only to later realise they didn’t fit the tone of the movie. Williams recalled making the mistake, referencing his work putting together the soundtrack with director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman). He told Collider: "I was sending these songs over that I’m like, ‘That’s a banger. That’s a banger. You are wrong,’. And I’d heard this story about ‘Lose Yourself’ in 8 Mile and how the director had sent that back, and Eminem was right. And I’m like, ‘I’m Eminem in this moment. That one’s the song, and you are wrong.’" However, as Williams eventually discovered, Gracey’s vision for Better Man required a more delicate touch. "Then I saw the finished version, and I was like, ‘I totally get why those songs weren’t the ones chosen, and I totally get what you need there.’ What I was sending wasn’t a cuddle. What I was sending wasn’t soothing. What I was sending wasn’t healing," he admitted. Williams ultimately found the right musical balance with the help of songwriter and producer Freddy Wexler. Reflecting on the collaboration, Williams expressed gratitude for the learning experience, saying, "Then we delivered, thank God. Me and a wonderful songwriter and producer called Freddy Wexler. Incredibly talented. Namaste. Love him." https://collider.com/robbie-williams-better-man-eminem/

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Better Man starring Steve Pemberton is getting rave reviews 4 hrs ago By Sarah McGee @Sarah_McGee123 A Robbie Williams film, starring an actor from Blackburn, has been receiving rave reviews from critics. Better Man, released on December 26, explores the life and career of singer Robbie Williams. Blackburn’s Steve Pemberton depicts Robbie’s dad, Peter Williams, in the film. In an interview with an online magazine, Steve said: “What I admire about Robbie is how open he’s been [in the film].” “Probably he was an a***hole to a lot of people, by his own admission. He talks so openly about all the different things in his life, whether it’s the relationship with his father, the drugs, the depression. It’s all there in the film.” The film has captured the attention of audiences as Robbie is depicted as a CGI-animated chimpanzee, reflecting his feelings of being "less evolved than other people". The film has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from reviewers. It has received a 91 per cent rating on television and movie review site Rotten Tomatoes. A review said: “Daring to substitute its marquee star with a VFX creation and somehow pulling it off, Better Man makes a monkey out of the traditional musical biopic to thrilling effect.” Steve’s performance has also been praised in the film by casual viewers. One person said: “Steve Pemberton is wonderful in Better Man. I think he’s our greatest character actor.” “Steve Pemberton for best supporting actor for Better Man,” said another. Another person said: “Please guys watch Better Man. And not only for Steve Pemberton who was excellent and has improved his vocal skills for sure. The best movie of this year.” “Didn’t think I would rave about a Robbie Williams biopic,” said another. “Better Man is really entertaining, hugely creative and surprisingly emotional. A wonderful performance from Steve Pemberton too.” Last year Steve, best known for co-creating, co-writing and acting in the hugely popular The League of Gentlemen, received an honorary fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire. The proud Lancastrian, who was raised in Chorley, also co-created and starred in dark comedies Inside No. 9 and Psychoville, both broadcast on the BBC. Steve, who was recognised for his significant contribution to acting, writing and directing, took to the graduation stage on Friday, July 12. The comedian, who gained laughs in his acceptance speech for delivering the line “the University of Central Lancashire is a local university for local people” in the character voice of Tubbs Tattsyrup, said: “For me to be here in Preston, coming to get honorary fellowship in my local university, makes me really proud.” https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/...eviews/?ref=rss

'Better Man' Review: Robbie Williams' Musical Chimp Dazzles in Every Regard By Julian Roman Published Dec 22, 2024 British pop superstar Robbie Williams gets a raw, dazzling, long but exceedingly clever musical biopic in Better Man, which sees him portrayed as a CGI, motion-captured chimpanzee from boyhood through tumultuous stardom. The reason why becomes obvious as the narrative progresses. Director/co-writer Michael Gracey infuses the film with a bold creative vision that adds a refreshing new take on a known commodity. Stories of rags-to-riches celebrities struggling with addiction and depression are standard Hollywood fodder. Better Man addresses those themes while Williams' narrates the painful truth behind glitz and glamour. Fame is a seductive narcotic that fuels our worst impulses. A dream come true can easily become a nightmare. We're introduced to "Robert" (Carter J. Murphy) as a brash young chimp in the poverty-stricken town of Stoke-on-Trent. He's awful at school and sports but loves being the center of attention. He inherits the need for a spotlight from his wannabe performer father. Peter (Steve Pemberton) and Robert sing Frank Sinatra standards in front of their old TV with Mom (Kate Mulvany) and his grandmother, the beloved Nan (Alison Steadman), cheering them on. Robert relishes applause but hides a gnawing secret. He sucks, has no talent, and is a total fraud. That's what Robert really thinks of himself. The happy days are unfortunately short-lived. 15-year-old Robert (Asmara Feik) wastes away at school until an open casting call for a boy band offers the chance of a lifetime. Band manager Nigel Martin-Smith (Damon Herriman) is holding auditions for his latest endeavor. Robert looks on as others sing, dance, and twirl their teenage hearts out. How can a complete hack and loser compete? By being the most brash and owning the room with a middle finger to everyone else. Nigel takes notice of the cocky young man, but "Robert" simply won't do. Better Man will be slurped up like water in the desert by the legions of Take That fans who worshiped the '90s icons. Think a British version of NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, for the boy band uninitiated. Gracey (The Greatest Showman) does a banner job of exploring the band's dynamics and how that reinforced Robbie's negative self-worth. Gary Barlow (Jake Simmance) was lauded as the group's leader and songwriter. Williams' bad boy image made teenage girls swoon, but he wasn't happy being relegated to basically a backup dancer and singing on harmonies. Scenes of Nigel putting Robbie in his place are soul-crushing. Better Man's second act takes parallel paths to astonishing fame and its commensurate dark side. Robbie pulls no punches explaining to the audience his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. Drugs, booze, and anti-depressants became the salve to treat his mental wounds. Robbie also discusses how he was still broke and living with his mother despite playing to sold-out venues. Barlow and Martin-Smith made all the money. He was just a singing and dancing show chimp. The harsh realities of exploitation collide with cold financial truth. It's both shocking and hilarious to learn what Robbie was paid in the first 18 months of Take That's meteoric rise. Jonno Davies portrays the adult Robbie for the majority of the film. He dances up a storm in incredibly choreographed set pieces, but he and the other actors who play Robbie won't get any recognition for their parts behind their primate artifice. Davies' rides the fame roller coaster with surprising nuance given the CGI nature of his role. Robbie's descent into a cocaine-fueled pill-popper is handled with unflinching honesty. There's nothing humorous about a chimp passing out in vomit. His destructive tendencies reach a point of no return that forces a dramatic change of circumstances. Robbie's career as a chart-topping solo artist engrosses like a tawdry soap opera. Gracey pulls the curtains back to reveal all the salacious dirt between Robbie, his girlfriend Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno), a member of the girl group All Saints, and Oasis' lead singer, Liam Gallagher (Leo Harvey-Elledge). Get your popcorn ready folks. This is sensational stuff that quickly develops into frank and adult matters. Gracey is sublime at dealing with a highly personal decision that became an earthquake in the British tabloids at the time. There's no sugarcoating here and that's admirable. Robbie speaks his own truth with conviction. Better Man will blow audiences out of their chairs with brilliant song and dance numbers. Choreographer Ashley Wallen, who previously worked with Gracey on The Greatest Showman, cinematographer Erik A. Wilson (of the Paddington franchise), and the visual effects team at Weta are the film's unsung heroes. Better Man gives Wicked a run for the money with applause-worthy showstoppers. A scene with Robbie and Nicole singing and dancing together on a yacht is absolutely mesmerizing. Raise your expectations. The musical aspects are stunning in every regard. You don't have to be a Robbie Williams fan to appreciate the film's artistry, performances, and handling of difficult subjects. The 135-minute runtime is admittedly too long, but the decision not to have Williams appear as himself, or even as a human, was pure genius. The CGI chimp is riveting from the start. Williams' acknowledgment of how he's perceived makes the bonkers portrayal much more impactful. It's cheeky AF for sure, but an accurate reflection of his image. Better Man is a production of Sina Studios, Facing East Entertainment, Rocket Science, and Lost Bandits et al. It will have a limited theatrical release on December 25th from Paramount Pictures, followed by national distribution on January 10th. https://movieweb.com/better-man-movie-revie...rce=syndication

Sure, It's Weird, But the CGI Monkey Is What Makes Robbie Williams' 'Better Man' Work By Joanna Orland Published 5 hours ago The musical biopic has not been the most inventive subgenre in recent years. Although the odd standout like Rocketman has taken a different approach, such movies tend to follow the same beats and end on the same note. So next to them, it's not surprising that the most talked-about aspect of the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, is that Williams is played by a CGI monkey. On the surface, this sounds like a ludicrous concept. But, the use of a monkey as the star of the film actually works on many levels, as one of the most thoughtful and insightful biopic portrayals. The initial inspiration for Williams to be represented by a monkey came from director Michael Gracey’s interviews with the singer. Gracey recorded his conversations with Williams over the course of eighteen months, and repeatedly, Williams referred to himself as a performing monkey. Gracey figured the best way to accurately portray the musician was to show him as he sees himself — different from everyone else, and unevolved. The monkey allows the audience to distance themselves from Williams’ well-known perceived persona and to see him more for his inner workings. Better Man makes it easy for the audience to accept that Robbie Williams is being played by a CGI monkey. Of course, it’s a bit jarring at first to see this little monkey on screen when everyone else is human. It goes unmentioned, and everyone in his world just takes him as he is. Once the film settles in, the monkey is only as distracting as another actor would be in the role, inevitably having his likeness compared to that of Williams. Actor Jonno Davies wears a mo-cap suit to play the monkey Robbie Williams, and captures his character's essence just as well, if not better, than any typical actor would. And let’s face it, we’ve all seen enough standard musical biopics to last a lifetime, allowing this fresh take to be more than welcomed. By using a monkey to represent Robbie Williams, Better Man allows for a greater insight into the singer’s mental state. The film seamlessly uses CGI imagery as a metaphorical representation of what’s going on inside his head. Because the fantastical element of the monkey is there from the start, these CGI dream-like sequences fit into the tone of the film without effort. Williams’ rage and self-doubt are emphasized by showing monkeys in various emotional states, as he internally falls to pieces. The many voices in Williams’ head and his anxiety, and his depression, are all brought to life and represented in a physical, animal form. The monkey heightens Williams’ highs and lows, connecting to a more primal portrayal of the singer. He’s not just a performing monkey, but during his youth, he’s got about as much self-control as an animal. Every emotion feels more raw and angry, and it’s easier to sympathize with how he spirals during his lowest points. He almost feels like he’s in a feral state when he’s at his wildest and most unhinged. And during his high points, the monkey also emphasizes what made Williams a star in the first place — his playful cheekiness. The most poignant aspect of having Robbie Williams portrayed by a monkey, is that in the finale, when you’d expect him to morph into a human, he doesn’t. The way the narrative develops and brings us to present-day Robbie gives off the feeling of a classic triumph over adversity story, with the “adversity” being the singer’s struggle with his mental health and addiction. Because of this structure, you would be forgiven for thinking that by the end of the film, CGI monkey Robbie Williams would transform into a human during his final performance. The fact that he remains as the monkey throughout the entire film is a meaningful commentary on his struggle. By remaining a monkey, but a happy one by the end, Better Man makes the point that this darkness is always a part of us, but it doesn’t have to define us. Addiction and mental health struggles are not something one ever fully leaves behind. Williams has managed to live alongside his issues and flaws, with his dark thoughts and demons being a part of who he is. Robbie Williams may now be happier, humbler, and less wild, but he still sees himself as the attention-seeking performing monkey he’s always been. A nice touch on top of the CGI monkey, is that high-res scans of Williams’ eyes were used as the monkey’s eyes throughout the film. “You could still see Rob in the monkey,” Michael Gracey says in an interview with Deadline. The monkey, in fact, lets us see Robbie Williams better than any other actor in the role could. Better Man is now in theaters. https://collider.com/better-man-cgi-monkey-weird/

Yes! I went deep into credits and found out another ineresting parts. Looking at these guys I think they also helped Robbie with his new album we're waiting for. Come Undone https://music.apple.com/tr/song/come-undone...ture/1780600208 + Angels https://music.apple.com/tr/song/angels-from...rack/1780600214 Mark Stoermer is on bass here! Mark is a bass guitarist of The Killers since the beginnning and he also has some own solo albums. I Found Heaven https://music.apple.com/tr/song/i-found-hea...ture/1780600202 Eden Prince is a music producer from Stoke-On-Trent, UK. His unique brand of energy-infused house music features giddy rhythms buttered with soulful chord progressions that glide across a wide emotional spectrum. Classic house feelings filtered through a contemporary lens. Rock DJ https://music.apple.com/tr/song/rock-dj-fro...rack/1780600204 Tim Reynolds is a multi-instrumentalist. He is a solo artist and guitarist of Dave Matthews & Friends. Land of 1000 Dances https://music.apple.com/tr/song/land-of-100...tion/1780600213 Adam Blackstone is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and bassist. He is the musical director for Nicki Minaj and Justin Timberlake. Blackstone has also directed and played in performances with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Janet Jackson, Dr. Dre, The Jonas Brothers, The Roots, Ms.Marilyn Marshall, Al Green, The Isley Brothers, Angie Stone, Mike Posner, Steve Tirpak, Al Jarreau, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, and Jill Scott. Let Me Entertain You https://music.apple.com/tr/song/let-me-ente...tion/1780600215 Melvin Jones who might be the busiest trumpeter in the business. Jones' career has been all over the map having appeared on over 200 recordings, multiple television programs, performing in the house orchestras of multiple awards shows and talk shows, and appearing on stages across the world on nearly every continent on the globe playing multiple genres of music. Melvin was a favorite at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Club in Qatar (UAE), most notably hosting and performing for a small, private evening for the Former First Lady of the United States etc. Better Man https://music.apple.com/tr/song/better-man-...ture/1780600216 Jacob Collier is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and educator. His music incorporates a combination of jazz and elements from other musical genres, and often features extensive use of reharmonisations and close harmony. Well, I love Jacob music! He is very talented musician, one of the finest in the country in my opinion. Happy so much he has become the part of Robbie's history too! Well, there are more new names in credits but I'm a little bit lazy to share all of them. Check out if there is any interest!

LOL above --- Review Better Man review – Robbie Williams monkeys around in a raw and emotional biopic Replacing Williams with a CGI ape in an otherwise human cast pays off enormously in Michael Gracey’s warts-and-all tale of the pop phenomenon It was a throwaway comment: Robbie Williams, Take That’s cheeky chappie-turned-tabloid fodder solo phenomenon, described himself as a performing monkey, prancing and preening in front of the cameras and seeking the approval of the audience (or at least a banana or two). But for director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), it was the key to unlocking Williams’s conflicted relationship with his celebrity and his compulsion to perform. In a creative gamble to rival Piece by Piece director Morgan Neville’s decision to tell the Pharell Williams story with Lego animation recently, Gracey replaces Williams in this warts-and-all biopic with a CGI chimpanzee in an otherwise human cast. It’s a gamble that not only pays off – it’s arguably the main reason the film works as well as it does. Narrated by Williams (Jonno Davies delivers a motion-captured performance as Robbie the Monkey) in a tone that strikes a precarious balance between wry self-deprecation and maudlin self-pity, the story itself is pretty generic stuff: a by-the-numbers trawl through the early hardship of Williams’s working-class childhood in Stoke-on-Trent, father-son tensions and industrial-level substance-abuse issues. The film’s emotional beats – Williams’s doomed relationship with All Saints singer Nicole Appleton; the death of Robbie’s beloved nan – are hammered home with piledriver subtlety. But the capering ape device transforms what would otherwise be a rote addition to the rock biopic canon, infusing the story with humour, mischief and a sparky, unpredictable anarchy. Yes, Williams clearly takes himself pretty seriously and has a weakness for therapy-speak platitudes. But he also invites us to see him as a surly adolescent chimp in a shell suit. You have to love him for that. Better Man is a notable step up for Gracey. The synthetic, rather soulless panache of The Greatest Showman demonstrated his skills as a slick visual stylist, but here he directs from the heart, tapping into the rawness and vulnerability beneath the CGI monkey suit. 4/5 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/dec/2...P=share_btn_url