Jump to content

Better Man (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For works with a similar name, see Better Man (disambiguation).

Better Man
An anthropomorphic chimpanzee wearing a suit is surrounded by paparazzi.
Australian release poster, referencing the Life thru a Lens album cover
Directed byMichael Gracey
Written by
Produced by
  • Paul Currie
  • Michael Gracey
  • Coco Xiaolu Ma
  • Craig McMahon
  • Jules Daly
Starring
CinematographyErik A. Wilson
Edited by
Music by
  • Batu Sener (score)
  • Robbie Williams (songs)
Production
companies
  • Sina Studios
  • Facing East Entertainment
  • Rocket Science
  • Lost Bandits
  • Footloose Productions
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 30 August 2024 (2024-08-30) (Telluride)
  • 25 December 2024 (2024-12-25) (United States)
  • 26 December 2024 (2024-12-26) (Australia)
Running time
135 minutes[1]
Countries
  • Australia
  • United States[2]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$110 million[3]
Box office$14.1 million[4][5]

Better Man is a 2024 biographical musical film co-written, produced and directed by Michael Gracey about the life of British singer Robbie Williams. Williams is portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee with computer-generated imagery (CGI), performed by Jonno Davies using motion capture, and voiced by both Williams and Davies. Steve Pemberton, Kate Mulvany, Alison Steadman, and Damon Herriman also star.

Better Man premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2024, and was released in the United States on 25 December 2024 and in Australia and the United Kingdom on 26 December. The film received positive reviews from critics. It was a box office bomb,[a] having grossed $14.1 million on a $110 million budget.

Plot

[edit]

The film tells the life story of singer Robbie Williams, but with Robbie portrayed as a CG-animated anthropomorphic chimpanzee because, as he puts it, he always felt "less evolved than other people". No other character comments on his appearance, implying that this depiction reflects Robbie's self-perception and state of mind.

In 1980s Stoke-on-Trent, eight-year-old Robbie is humiliated during a football game and storms off in anger. At home, he finds solace in his grandmother Betty's support and his father Peter teaches him to sing in a style inspired by Frank Sinatra, although he also tends to leave Robbie feeling worthless. During a school play, Robbie's recovery from an accident impresses the audience, but his happiness is cut short by Peter's absence.

After his parents separate, Robbie clings to items linked to his father, salvaging them during a move to a smaller home ("Feel"). As a teenager, Robbie declares his ambition to be a famous singer despite criticism during a career counselling session. His perseverance peaks when he learns of an audition for a boyband in Manchester. Initially rejected, Robbie's determination and confidence secures him a spot in the pop group Take That.

The band's early days are marked by seedy performances in gay clubs, gradually building a fanbase ("I Found Heaven"). A pivotal performance to a crowd of teenage girls propels them to stardom ("Rock DJ"). As their fame grows, Robbie struggles with self-doubt, battles with their manager, Nigel Martin-Smith, over creative control, and begins abusing drugs ("Relight My Fire"). These tensions culminate in Robbie's dismissal from the band after a meeting at Gary Barlow's mansion.

Following his departure, Robbie spirals into addiction, haunted by hallucinations that symbolise his internal pain ("Come Undone"). Despite initial setbacks, he forms a relationship with a member of the pop group All Saints, Nicole Appleton ("She's the One"), and a new partnership with the songwriter Guy Chambers sparks a career revival ("Something Beautiful"). Robbie releases his first solo album Life thru a Lens, solidifying his success as a solo artist ("Land of 1000 Dances"), though his personal life remains troubled. His relationship with Nicole dissolves, and he suffers the loss of Betty ("Angels").

At Knebworth Festival, Robbie faces the nadir of his journey ("Let Me Entertain You"). Performing for 125,000 fans, he is paralysed by fear and struggles with his failing mental health. In a symbolic sequence, Robbie takes up a violent battle with various incarnations of his past selves. This includes himself as a small child, whom he angrily slaughters. Robbie struggles through the concert, realising he must confront his problems.

The aftermath sees Robbie entering rehab, enduring a strenuous detox and beginning to change his life. He reconciles with his estranged friends and family, including a heartfelt reunion with his childhood friend Nate and an amicable parting with Nicole. He visits Betty's grave, finding peace in her memory, and commits to being a better version of himself ("Better Man").

At the Royal Albert Hall, Robbie reconciles with his father Peter onstage during a rendition of "My Way". He delivers a heartfelt tribute to Betty and finally addresses the visions of his past selves, transforming them from antagonists to sources of personal growth. In a poignant final moment, he sees a vision of his younger self in the audience, reaffirming his purpose to inspire and entertain ("Forbidden Road").

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The project was first announced in February 2021 as co-written and directed by Michael Gracey with Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson also having co-writing credits, and Gracey also producing alongside Jules Daly for Big Red Films and Craig McMahon for McMahon International.[11] Later that year it was reported that funding also came via the Australian government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria's incentive programmes.[12] The film is set to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Roadshow Films with international sales handled by Rocket Science.[13]

Described as a satirical musical, the project is reported to cover three decades of Robbie Williams' stardom, from his first success in popular music combo Take That through the ups and down of his career. The project was reported to "reinterpret and recontextualise" some of his songs.[14]

Casting

[edit]

Williams described the filming process as "super odd" because he would find himself sitting "in make-up and the lady that's playing your grandma is sitting next to you, and the people playing your mum and dad".[15] Williams is portrayed and voiced by Jonno Davies as a CGI chimpanzee, using motion-capture technology,[16] while Williams himself narrates the film and also provides the voice of himself in the film's final scene. While Williams re-recorded many of his songs featured in the film, vocalist Adam Tucker provides additional vocals including "My Way" and "She's the One" (with Kayleigh McKnight).[17]

Other cast members include Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Anthony Hayes, Damon Herriman and Kate Mulvany, with Williams' Take That band mates played by Jake Simmance (Barlow), Liam Head (Donald), Jesse Hyde (Owen) and Chase Vollenweider (Orange).[18] VFX was provided by Wētā FX.[19]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography took place at the Docklands Studios Melbourne, in May and June 2022.[20][21] Filming of concert scenes from his "Live At The Albert" show in 2001 were filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London during Williams' concert appearances there on 6 and 7 November 2022. Members of the public were able to purchase bargain price tickets to attend in evening dress for the gigs.[22] Filming also took place in London in March 2023.[23]

Music

[edit]

Songs by Robbie Williams featured in the film include "She's the One", "Angels" and "Let Me Entertain You".[24] Gracey stated that the songs would be "re-sung", to suit "the emotion of the moment" in the film.[25] The original score was composed by Batu Sener.[26] On 22 November 2024, Williams released the single "Forbidden Road", taken from the film's soundtrack; it peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[27]

The soundtrack album to Better Man was released on 27 December 2024. On 3 January 2025, the album debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Downloads Chart, and at number 4 on the UK Soundtrack Albums Chart.[28]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Feel"
3:00
2."I Found Heaven"
3:02
3."Rock DJ"
  • Williams
  • Chambers
  • Kelvin Andrews
  • Nelson Pigford
  • Ekundayo Paris
4:01
4."Relight My Fire"Dan Hartman2:36
5."Come Undone"
3:08
6."She's the One"Karl Wallinger4:17
7."Something Beautiful"
  • Williams
  • Chambers
4:01
8."Land of 1000 Dances"Chris Kenner4:05
9."Angels"
  • Williams
  • Chambers
5:29
10."Let Me Entertain You"
  • Williams
  • Chambers
3:38
11."Better Man"
  • Williams
  • Chambers
4:20
12."My Way"
7:04
13."Forbidden Road"
  • Williams
  • Chambers
3:17
Total length:51:58

Release

[edit]

Better Man premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2024.[29][30] Additionally, the film opened the 55th International Film Festival of India on 20 November 2024.[31]

The film was theatrically released on 26 December 2024 in Australia by Roadshow Films and in the United Kingdom by Entertainment Film Distributors.[32] It had a limited theatrical release by Paramount Pictures in the United States on 25 December, before a wider release on 10 January 2025.[33][34]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

As of 20 January 2025, Better Man has grossed $1.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $12.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $14.1 million.[5][4]

Better Man received tepid box office receipts in the UK and Australia,[35] having grossed a respective $6.1 million and $2.5 million, as of 15 January 2025.[4]

In the United States and Canada, the film had a limited release for two weeks before expanding into a wide release in its third weekend, where it was projected to gross $2 million from 1,291 theaters.[36] The film ended up debuting to just $1.1 million, finishing outside the box office top 10.[37] Deadline Hollywood noted that the film was bound to bomb in the US since it had failed to perform well even in Williams' native United Kingdom, and also noted its results as worse than other films playing on far fewer screens, including The Brutalist ($1.38 million from 68 theaters) and The Last Showgirl ($1.53 million from 870 theaters).[6] The Sentinel attributed the film's failure in North America to Williams' lack of popularity there.[35]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 89% of 183 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "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."[38] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[39] Audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film an 83% overall positive score, with 63% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.[6]

Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com awarded the film 4 out of 4 stars. He praised the pacing, the musical sequences, and the inventiveness, writing that the use of a monkey to portray Williams delivered a "curveball" away from the usual tropes of the musical biopic.[40] In a 3 1/2 out of 4 star review for The Washington Post, Michael Andor Brodeur described the computer-generated monkey as "astonishingly expressive and strangely disarming" for recounting Williams' journey through fame.[41] In another positive review, Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times commended the film for capturing the vulnerabilities of Williams as he struggled with addiction, insecurity, and relationships, writing: "Neither hagiography nor hatchet job, the movie casts an understanding eye on a once-infamous musical artist who weathered dizzying highs and devastating lows".[42]

In a negative review, Kevin Maher of The Times gave the movie 1 out of 5 stars, viewing it as a self-aggrandizing and vapid recounting of Williams' career. Maher wrote: "The subject's decision to cast himself as an 'unevolved' monkey buys him a licence to litter the rest of the movie with tedious therapy-speak, a phoney yearning for acceptance (even as he nurtures delusions of divine grandeur) and a mother lode of narcissistic victimhood".[43]

Accolades

[edit]

The song "Forbidden Road" from the film was nominated for Best Original Song at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.[44] It was initially shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards, but was disqualified a few days later after it was found it incorporated material from another song.[45]

Better Man received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the 2025 AACTA Awards.[46] The film was nominated in four categories at the 23rd Visual Effects Society Awards for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature, Outstanding Character in a Photoreal Feature, Outstanding Compositing and Lighting in a Feature, and Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG Project.[47] It also received a nomination for Best Special Visual Effects at the 78th British Academy Film Awards.[48]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Attributed to multiple sources[6][7][8][9][10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Better Man (15)". BBFC. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  2. ^ Debruge, Peter (2 September 2024). "Better Man Review: Robbie Williams Biopic Would Be a Snooze, but for the Wild Choice to Depict Him as a Chimp". Variety. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Better Man". MarksX. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Better Man – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Better Man (2024)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (11 January 2025). "Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera Delivering Lionsgate First No. 1 Win Since 2023's Hunger Games: Songbirds & Snakes With $15.5M; Better Man Bombs With $1M – Sunday AM Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  7. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (12 January 2025). "'Den of Thieves 2' Steals Box Office Crown With $15 Million, Robbie Williams Biopic 'Better Man' Tanks With $1 Million Debut". Variety. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  8. ^ "'Den of Thieves 2' opens at No. 1 as 'Better Man' flops". AP News. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  9. ^ "How has Robbie Williams' $198m biopic fared at the box office?". NZ Herald. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  10. ^ McClintock, Pamela (12 January 2025). "Box Office: 'Den of Thieves 2' Opens to Winning $15.5M; 'Moana 2' Nears $1B Globally". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  11. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (21 February 2021). "Singer Robbie Williams Biopic Ready To Rock; 'The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey Directing For Summer Shoot: Hot EFM Package". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  12. ^ Dalton, Ben (3 December 2021). "Robbie Williams biopic 'Better Man' to shoot in Australia in 2022". Screen Daily. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  13. ^ Frater, Patrick (2 December 2021). "Robbie Williams Biopic 'Better Man' to Film in Australia". Variety. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  14. ^ Shrishty (25 August 2022). "'A Better Man': Docuseries About Former Take That Member Robbie Williams Lands at Netflix". Collider. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  15. ^ Cairns, Dan (10 September 2022). "Robbie Williams: 'Fame is only ever toxic. None of us are well-rounded'". The Times. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  16. ^ Lee, Benjamin (11 September 2024). "Better Man review – Robbie Williams monkey biopic is a bananas gamble that pays off". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Who provides Robbie Williams singing voice in Better Man film?". BBC News. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  18. ^ "This is the actor set to play a young Robbie Williams in his upcoming biopic 'Better Man'". Thehits.co.nz. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  19. ^ Bumbray, Chris (11 September 2024). "Better Man (TIFF) Review: Robbie Williams played by a CGI Chimp?". JoBlo. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  20. ^ Roberts, Kit (30 June 2022). "Robbie Williams film Better Man - latest cast and the plot details". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  21. ^ Domjen, Briana (1 May 2022). "First pictures: Robbie Williams biopic Better Man filming in Melbourne". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  22. ^ Rowland-Dixon, Taye (26 October 2022). "Robbie Williams at the Royal Albert Hall – Two Concerts for the Forthcoming Movie 'Better Man'". Verge Magazine. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  23. ^ Elliott, Louise (29 March 2023). "Filming for Robbie Williams biopic Better Man as Jonno Davies takes star role". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  24. ^ Reilly, Nick (23 February 2021). "Robbie Williams biopic from 'The Greatest Showman' director is in the works". NME. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  25. ^ Krol, Charlotte (2 March 2021). "Robbie Williams will reportedly be portrayed by a CGI monkey in 'Better Man' biopic". NME. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  26. ^ "Batu Sener Scores Michael Gracey's Better Man".
  27. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart 29 November 2024 - 6 December 2024". Official Charts. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  28. ^ "Robbie Williams - Better Man OST". Official Charts. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  29. ^ Jeremy Kay, "Toronto film festival adds Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Edward Burns, David Mackenzie titles". Screen Daily, 22 July 2024.
  30. ^ Hammond, Pete (29 August 2024). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes 'Saturday Night', 'The Piano Lesson', 'Conclave' & 'Nickel Boys' World Premieres". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  31. ^ Naman Ramachandran (11 November 2024). "Robbie Williams Film 'Better Man' to Open India's IFFI Fest, Phillip Noyce Set for Lifetime Honor". Variety. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  32. ^ Frater, Patrick (30 May 2024). "Joel Pearlman to Exit Australia's Village Roadshow After 30 Year Tenure – Global Bulletin". Variety. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  33. ^ Stephan, Katcy (28 February 2024). "'Naked Gun' Remake Set for 2025 by Paramount; 'TMNT' and 'Paw Patrol' Sequels Dated for 2026". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  34. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (21 November 2024). "Paramount Tweaks Theatrical Rollout Of 'Better Man' & 'September 5' During Awards Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  35. ^ a b Spence, Niamh; Parker, Hayley (31 December 2024). "Real reason why Robbie Williams couldn't crack America as new biopic flops". Stoke on Trent Live. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  36. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (8 January 2025). "Gerard Butler's 'Den of Thieves 2' Targets $12 Million Debut as 2025 Box Office Starts Slow". Variety. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  37. ^ "Domestic 2025 Weekend 2". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  38. ^ "Better Man". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 18 January 2025. Edit this at Wikidata
  39. ^ "Better Man". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  40. ^ Worthington, Clint (24 December 2024). "Better Man movie review & film summary (2024) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  41. ^ Andor Brodeur, Michael (10 January 2025). "Robbie Williams biopic 'Better Man' feels like an evolution of the form". The Washington Post.
  42. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (25 December 2024). "'Better Man' Review: The Boy in the Band". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  43. ^ Critic, Kevin Maher, Chief Film (20 December 2024). "Better Man review — Robbie Williams flops as a chimp in dire biopic". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 21 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ Barnard, Matthew (9 December 2024). "Nominations Announced For 82nd Annual Golden Globes®". Golden Globes. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  45. ^ Grein, Paul (20 December 2024). "Robbie Williams Song Dropped From 2025 Oscar Shortlist: Here's Why". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  46. ^ Jefferson, Dee (6 December 2024). "Robbie Williams biopic Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe lead 2025 Aacta award nominations". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  47. ^ Pederson, Erik (14 January 2025). "VES Awards Nominations: Sandworms, Apes, Felines & Tornadoes Vie For Top Film Prize". Deadline. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  48. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (15 January 2025). "BAFTA Nominations: 'Conclave' & 'Emilia Pérez' Lead The Field As Open Awards Race Takes Shape". Deadline. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Better_Man_(film)&oldid=1271159838"