As Better Man hits cinemas, Robbie Williams is a happily married, sober father of four. This isn’t to spoil the ending of his semi-autobiographical cautionary tale about his life, but to reassure anyone who may read about the film and fear for the British pop star’s wellbeing.
Because Better Man, while being an absolute adrenalin ride of pure entertainment, is really very sad.
It’s also a visionary piece of film-making by Australian director Michael Gracey, in his second musical biopic after The Greatest Showman, in which Hugh Jackman played PT Barnum.
In Better Man, Williams is played mostly by a CGI chimpanzee. It’s a riff on Williams’ own admission that he often felt a bit “less evolved”. The simian metaphor could have spelt disaster and alienated fans, but remarkably, it’s an ingenious move that only enhances the impact of this sensational satirical musical.
Growing up crooning to Frank Sinatra in the living room with his lounge-singer dad (The League of Gentlemen’s Steve Pemberton, who is superb), Williams was bereft when his father went off to an FA Cup Final one day and never returned.
Determined to fill this void with the admiration of millions, Williams found fame, at age 15, as the cheeky chappie in English boy band Take That. He never fitted in, but getting kicked out of the group provided the springboard to fame he had always dreamed of.
He went on to forge a hugely successful solo career – only to find that (surprise!), no amount of external adoration can make you love yourself.
Williams’ hits are used in the soundtrack to underscore meaning rather than provide a chronology. It’s devastating when young Robert sings Feel in his prepubescent voice (performed beautifully by actor Jonno Davies on vocals with the motion-captured CGI of the chimp).
Rock DJ delivers an exhilarating song-and-dance number around Piccadilly Circus, and Williams’ relationship with All Saints singer Nicole Appleton is told in one glorious, moving ballroom dance number. It’s simply exquisite.
And the monkey business totally works, thanks to Wētā Digital’s Planet of the Apes-honed expertise. Chimp Robbie’s facial expressions match the singer’s own profanity-laced line delivery, and it’s not as jarring as watching an actor play the star.
Cynics may say Better Man is one big self-indulgent sob story, but Williams has long been open about his struggles. In an era obsessed with celebrity and empty influencer culture, we should applaud his honesty about the hollow reality of showbiz.
Rating out of five: ★★★★½
Better Man, directed by Michael Gracey, is out on Boxing Day.
