Robbie Williams, the self-proclaimed narcissist and pop sensation, is joining the ranks of Elton John, Queen, Elvis, and Johnny Cash in having a biopic dedicated to his life story. Biopics based on musicians have varied in quality over the years, with Elvis being a razzmatazz, LSD trip of the ages and Bohemian Rhapsody never quite matching the quality of the song it’s named after. Better Man, named after his 2000 single, could have easily followed the Bohemian Rhapsody-like journey, where sheer nostalgia for the music pulls you through from scene to scene. Want to know how Robbie made “Let Me Entertain You” by hearing the guitar riff while someone bashes the keys on the piano? Well, I have good news for you: Better Man is much more than a love letter to his music. It’s a tale of self-doubt, addiction, and the realization that fame is not the cure to our problems.
The first thing to discuss is how Robbie appears in Better Man. Instead of following the traditional biopic formula of casting actors who resemble younger versions of Robbie Williams, who is portrayed as a CGI monkey throughout the entire film—completely hairy from head to toe. For some, this concept might seem ridiculous and off-putting, but for me, it’s sheer genius. It eliminates the issue of actors not resembling Robbie, as they all look like monkeys. However, the main reason I love this approach is the emotional depth it brings to the storytelling. A monkey’s facial structure and features allow for emotions to be conveyed with such transparency and authenticity. When sadness looms over Robbie, we see it vividly in his face. While some may argue that the same effect could be achieved with a human performance, I believe this approach allows for dramatic expressions that wouldn’t be possible with human actors. As Robbie spirals deeper down the rabbit hole, his actions become more enraged and animalistic, which adds a raw, visceral layer to the narrative.
With that out of the way, Better Man follows the life of Robert Williams, better known as Robbie Williams, as he rises to become a UK pop music icon. We witness his journey from joining Take That to departing the band and launching his solo career. The film also delves into his personal life, exploring relationships with his gran and dad, and showing how fame triggered his addiction to alcohol and drugs, leading to a downward spiral. This is filled with raw, unfiltered emotion. One particular moment is shocking, highlighting the extreme lengths people will go to for fame and success. The level of drug use is horrifying at times, but that’s the point. Better Man doesn’t glamorize this path; instead, it shows that it was a necessary part of Robbie’s journey to becoming the person he is today.
Better Man is directed by Michael Gracey, best known for the musical sensation The Greatest Showman. As someone who hasn’t seen that film out of a desire to go against the mainstream, I found this to have a musical flair that is transcendent. From the one-take musical number featuring “Rock DJ” to the romantic love scene set to “She’s the One,” each musical sequence is unapologetically flamboyant.
This flamboyant attitude permeates the entire film. Robbie Williams has always described himself as an entertainer, akin to a cabaret performer, and Better Man reflects that. It’s a drug-fuelled journey from Robbie’s perspective, unapologetically true to him. From the bold choice of portraying him as a CGI monkey to the rawness of the storytelling, it fully embodies his spirit. Let him entertain you with this remarkable film.
★★★★
Reviewed at the  Toronto Film Festival 2024 / Damon Herriman, Alison Steadman, Steve Pemberton, Robbie Williams, Jesse Hyde, Jake Simmance / Dir. Michael Gracey
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.