‘Better Man’: Robbie Williams Does Things His Way in Musical Biopic by Michael Gracey

Sandra Miska

Musical biopics have not exactly been scarce in recent years, but Brit singer-songwriter Robbie Williams offers a creative spin on an increasingly tired genre with “Better Man.” Directed and co-written by Michael Gracey, this film follows the pop bad boy from his rough childhood in North London, to his days in Take That, to the first years of a solo career that made him one of the most famous people on his side of the pond. Now 50, Williams himself narrates the film. So far, this may sound like an obnoxious vanity project, but the crooner does something truly special by having a CGI chimpanzee (voiced by Jonno Davies, who also does the motion capture) be his onscreen avatar in this energetic musical.

“Better Man” never explains why Robbie is a chimp, but Williams himself has stated to the media that he chose to go that route because he sees himself as being less evolved than other people. This conceit is not distracting as one would think. Rather, Williams’ strange humility helps keep the viewer on Robbie’s side from the start, from when he is a little boy known as Robert. His father Peter (a terrific Steve Pemberton) gives him the fame bug, something he himself has, as he eventually leaves the family to chase his dream of being a comedian, only to become a permanent fixture again after his son archives fame and success. Robert is primarily raised by his loving mother (Kate Mulvany) and grandmother (Alison Steadman).

At age 15, Robert hears on the radio of an open audition for the boy band that is to become Take That. He auditions for manager Nigel Martin-Smith (Damom Herriman), and his cheeky attitude and arrogance, along with his talent, earn him a spot. Not long after, Nigel decides that he will now be known as “Robbie.” After countless club appearances, the band makes it big, but Robbie feels stifled creatively and overshadowed by bandmate Gary Barlow (Jake Simmance), the only member allowed to write their songs. Although there are a lot of cheery, enjoyable scenes during this period, including one in which Robbie steals the mic from Gary mid-performance, the truth is he is battling depression and turning more and more to drugs and alcohol. It is no surprise when the other four guys kick him out of the band, leaving him to start over at age 21. However, he is now free to write his own songs and do things more his way.

Soon, Robbie is flying high on his successful solo career and a romantic relationship with Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) of the girl group All Saints. He also gets into an amusing frenemy relationship with Liam Gallagher (Leo Harvey-Elledge) around this time. However, he continues to self-sabotage with his destructive behaviors, and even seems on track to join the 27 Club, to the pain and annoyance of his loved ones and colleagues. We see here how yelling, shaming and cajoling do little to help an addict; he eventually has to find it within himself to want to change. And if a few great songs get written along the way, all the better.

Williams does not enjoy the same superstar status Stateside that he does back home, but the truth is, the film is done so well that one does not need to be super familiar with him or his catalog of songs to enjoy it. The music mostly serves to express and amplify his emotional highs and lows. Again, Williams’ ability to make fun of himself and own up to his faults make him a perfectly likable protagonist, and there are plenty of genuinely humorous moments along with the emotional ones, as well as dazzling song and dance numbers. If you are able to sing along with songs like “Angels,” all the better.

“Better Man” releases Dec. 25 in select theaters and Jan. 10 in theaters nationwide.