4.0 out of 5 star rating
Regardless of your opinions about Robbie Williams’ music, persona, or personal life, few can deny being surprised by the revelation of who will portray the ex-Take That member in his upcoming biography, titled “Better Man.
In the film directed by Michael Gracey, who also worked on The Greatest Showman, Robbie is shown in various scenes as an ape. More precisely, Jonno Davies, a young actor, portrays him. With the help of Weta FX, a renowned visual effects company, Davies’ performance has been altered to such an extent that for every minute of the film, whether he’s playing street football, performing in front of crowds, or using drugs backstage, he appears as a chimpanzee on screen.
Initially, the movie might seem absurd and leave you puzzled about why you chose to watch it for several initial minutes. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the film gradually manages to make sense and cease being extraordinary. Somehow, it effectively pulls off its unique narrative style.
It wouldn’t be entirely accurate to claim that you forget he’s a chimp because he appears in every scene. However, it is no longer dismissive to consider him as just a gimmick. Instead, the explanation that he’s portrayed this way due to his “cheeky” and “performing” nature starts to make perfect sense. Consequently, you become deeply moved while watching Robbie’s story unfold through its dramatic highs and devastating lows.
The film leans more towards the style seen in Rocketman compared to Bohemian Rhapsody when it comes to modern music biopics. This means that the many hit songs are integrated into the story through creatively choreographed musical scenes, rather than just being performed live on stage or in a studio. This lends the film a more exaggerated, less factual feel, which aligns with its unique premise and creates numerous standout moments.
The parts that shine brightest are when it fully embraces its own nonsensical nature. This is particularly evident during Robbie’s rendition of “Let Me Entertain You” at Knebworth, which evolves into something unexpected, fitting well within a Planet of the Apes film.
Additionally, other remarkable musical instances can be found throughout the performance, such as the lively rendition of Rock DJ on Regent Street, a creatively choreographed interpretation of She’s the One, and a deeply emotional performance of Angels.
And there’s some meaty subject matter in here too. On the one hand, this is no hagiography, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing Robbie at his worst, especially when focusing on a key moment from his relationship with Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno).
Moreover, the movie expresses a strong sense of compassion for individuals who experience immense fame at a tender age, highlighting the scarcity of support systems to shield them from the potentially harmful aspects of overwhelming stardom.
It’s a theme which feels just as prescient as ever when considering both the tragedy surrounding the death of Liam Payne and the recent BBC Two documentary Boybands Forever, the airing of which prompted Robbie himself to write an open letter to former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith.
As a devoted admirer, I must confess that “Better Man” is not without its flaws. The first-person narration by Robbie himself sometimes veers towards being overly straightforward, and there are instances where it unavoidably slips into the typical traps and stereotypes often found in musician biopics. However, considering the boldness of such a choice from the outset, it’s easier to overlook these shortcomings.
Instead of describing it as “an honest, entertaining, and endlessly charming spectacle that’s bound to please an audience,” you could say “it offers a heartwarming, amusing, and utterly captivating show that promises to resonate with viewers.” If you find the concept of Steve Pemberton and a monkey performing a Frank Sinatra classic seeming implausible, reconsider. This film musical might just be the standout of 2024; forget about Wicked, this could very well be the movie musical to beat!
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2024-12-23 21:33