Movie Review: Better Man
One-liner: A brave creative decision, redressed pop songs and powerful themes pay off in this wildly entertaining rockumentary.
Better Man, a biographical music drama inspired by the life of international pop star Robbie Williams, could have been a typical “rockumentary” in the vein of Elvis, Bohemian Rhapsody or Rocketman. It checks all the boxes: spectacular musical numbers, recreated career moments and a deep dive into the artist’s personal life. However, it sets itself apart with one remarkable and unconventional choice: the lead character is a computer-generated chimpanzee.
This bold decision from Michael Gracey, perhaps influenced by the seamless CGI of the Planet of the Apes reboot starring Andy Serkis, creates a unique dynamic. The film makes no attempt to explain this creative substitution; it simply allows the ape to stand in for Williams, an unorthodox move for a music biopic. This choice offers several advantages. It allows for more control over the character’s aging, preventing the dissociation that can come with different actors playing the same person at various stages of life. It also lets the filmmaker replicate the lead in multiple situations. While the idea may have started as a joke, the absurdity of it all creates a strange tension, lending a surprising grace to some of the character’s more primitive reactions.
“No seriously, I want to entertain you.”
While the digital lead can feel a bit gimmicky at times, it doesn’t detract from what is a spectacular and emotionally resonant film from Gracey, the filmmaker behind The Greatest Showman, who started directing music videos. The music is masterfully woven into the narrative, providing deeper meaning through lyrics and their connection to moments in Williams’s life. Better Man explores his struggles with self-worth, imposter syndrome, and inner demons, including his complex relationship with his father, his close bond with his grandmother, and challenges with his bandmates and girlfriend. The drama is intense but is balanced with bursts of humour, staying true to Williams’s cheeky, devil-may-care attitude.
Better Man may not set new standards for technical wizardry, but it’s a compelling example of reinventing a well-worn genre. The film is a wild, often raw, journey down memory lane, with strong performances and choreography. Its emotional core – a quest for stardom amidst personal turmoil – is consistently entertaining and thoughtful. While the film may not feature all of Williams’s biggest hits, it focuses on the most well-known and emotionally resonant ones. For those who only know the superficial details of his life and career, Better Man offers a fascinatingly honest and authentic portrait, dark places and all.
The bottom line: Entertaining
