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Better Man, the highly anticipated semi-biographical film about British pop sensation Robbie Williams, is set to hit theaters soon. Scheduled for a limited release in the United States on December 25, 2024, followed by a nationwide rollout on January 17, 2025, the movie offers a fascinating twist on the traditional music biopic.
Paramount Pictures will handle its U.S. distribution, while Roadshow Films is in charge in Australia and New Zealand. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning an 86% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie follows Williams’ life journey, from his early days as the youngest member of the chart-topping boy band Take That to his meteoric rise as a solo artist. It captures his personal and professional struggles, including fame's pressures, before showcasing his triumphant comeback. Told through Robbie’s perspective, Better Man highlights his wit and indomitable spirit.
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What sets Better Man apart is its unconventional portrayal of Robbie Williams as a CGI-rendered monkey using motion-capture technology.
Everything about Robbie Williams' biopic Better Man
Better Man delves into the life of Robbie Williams, blending moments of resilience, vulnerability, and brilliance. The film chronicles his childhood, days with Take That, solo career success, and struggles with fame over a three-decade narrative. Its emotional moments are underscored by the reinterpretation of his iconic songs, including Let Me Entertain You and Angels.
The film also ventures into Robbie’s personal battles, offering a satirical musical perspective. It explores his relationships, public controversies, and eventual resurgence, all framed with Robbie’s characteristic humor and depth.
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Production and direction
Michael Gracey, renowned for his work on The Greatest Showman, served as both co-writer and director of Better Man. In addition, Gracey collaborated with Craig McMahon and Jules Daly to produce the film.
The project was funded by Film Victoria's incentive programs and Australian government initiatives. The primary photography took place in Melbourne, with supplementary scenes captured at London's Royal Albert Hall during Robbie's live concert appearances.
Gracey described the film as a "satirical musical," providing a reimagined perspective on Robbie's career while maintaining its authenticity. The unconventional portrayal of Robbie as a motion-capture monkey was further enhanced by the visual effects created by Wētā FX.
The cast of the movie
Robbie Williams voices himself, while Jonno Davies performs the motion capture for the CGI monkey version of Robbie. The supporting cast includes Steve Pemberton as Robbie’s father, Alison Steadman as his grandmother, and Damon Herriman as Nigel Martin-Smith, his first manager.
The film also features actors portraying his bandmates from Take That: Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow, Liam Head as Howard Donald, Jesse Hyde as Mark Owen, and Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange.
Filming locations and music
Filming for Better Man took place primarily at Docklands Studios Melbourne, with concert scenes shot at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Fans had the unique opportunity to attend these filming sessions, adding authenticity to the performance sequences.
The soundtrack features re-sung versions of Robbie’s hits, including She's The One and Rock DJ, tailored to fit the film’s emotional beats. Composer Batu Sener created the original score.
One of the standout aspects of Better Man is its portrayal of Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey. This creative decision by Michael Gracey reflects Robbie’s playful personality and his perception of fame. Gracey described the choice as symbolic, depicting Robbie as a “performer who was always on stage,” even in his personal life.
Better Man premiered to positive reviews at the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will open the International Film Festival of India on November 20, 2024, before releasing in theaters in the US on December 25, 2024.
