Movie review: ‘Better Man,’ creative brilliance
Despite knowing nothing of Robbie Williams, “Better Man” managed to entertain me from start to finish while also being one of the most ambitious biopics of all time. It works.
The ‘Better Man’ discourse
There has been a lot of discourse from Americans lately surrounding “Better Man” and Robbie Williams — specifically as Americans question who he is and why his biopic, in which he’s portrayed as an ape, is being “forced” onto us. Personally I never felt that way. While the trailers never wow’d me, I was definitely going to see it purely for the fact Williams is a CGI ape in the film. Then again, I am the guy with a “Planet of the Apes” tattoo.
From the director of ‘The Greatest Showman’
I would be hard-pressed to find someone who goes to see “Better Man” and walks away saying, “What a waste of time.” Sure, the overall story surrounding Williams isn’t anything we haven’t seen in a biopic, but where the film truly shines is in its creative direction. Director Michael Gracey takes what he did with the hit movie-musical “The Greatest Showman” and cranks it up to the max.
Not only is “Better Man” ambitious to make the main protagonist a literal ape, but every single musical number in this film took my breathe away. I always admire when biopics about musicians take the route of making a musical around the story, like “Rocketman” (2019), rather than making a story with some music sprinkled throughout, like “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018). Whether it’s a one-take number through the streets of London, or a swiftly edited number with seamless transitions on a yacht, each song in “Better Man” has its own raw identity.
Why is Robbie Williams an ape in ‘Better Man’?
I know a lot of people have questions on why Robbie Williams is an ape in “Better Man” while nobody else in the cast is. Without going into the exact meaning — which directly correlates to the themes of the film — in the movie’s trailer, Williams said he views himself as “less evolved” than the rest of humanity. I feel the decision to be an ape adds depth to the character that wouldn’t exist had he been himself. Also, seeing a young ape OD on drugs is far more impactful than seeing a human do it on film for the 1,000th time. The performance capture is nuanced in a way that doesn’t take you out of the film at all. Plus the CGI is great.
Creative ambition to the next level
There isn’t much I don’t like about “Better Man.” The film takes creative ambition to the next level and does the “impossible” by making an American (myself) fall in love with Robbie Williams. I implore you not to feed into “trendy opinions” and go see this movie.
SCORE: “Better Man,” 4.5/5
“Better Man” is rated R and is now playing in theaters! There is no post-credit scene.
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