Better Man: A Unique Biopic of Robbie Williams, Hitting Theaters This December
A New Perspective on Robbie Williams' Life
From the director of The Greatest Showman, Michael Gracey, comes Better Man, this highly anticipated biopic of Britain's pop superstar, Robbie Williams. This film will run exclusively in select theaters on December 25 and be rolled out across the country on January 17. It is different from typical biopics as it twists into creative vistas which adds a unique stratum to the storytelling, making it one of the most interesting releases of the season.
Robbie Williams as a Monkey: The Imaginative Flip
While still classy in its fantastical depiction of the genius man, Robbie Williams fans were first introduced through the first trailer to be shocked by the very unique concept of actually visually seeing Robbie Williams as a monkey. Although this choice may appear bizarre, it is not done so out of compulsion but to serve a purpose, and indeed expose the symbolic flair. Now at 50 years old, Williams will lend his voice to the character, while the monkey is supposed to symbolize the life-long experience as a performer.
Director Michael Gracey defined this metaphor, "To see himself as a performing monkey wasn't just whilst he was famous-it was his whole life." This symbol connects emotionally with the audiences in understanding that the pressures of constantly putting on a show were felt not only in his performances but also within his personal life.
The Story Behind the Fame: Rise, Fall, and Resurgence
What is represented essentially is the story of Robbie Williams, a boy born in Stoke-on-Trent who would one day be the youngest member of the universe's most celebrated boy band, Take That. And it continued until he broke records as a solo artist.
No part goes unseen in the synopsis of the film, an in-depth dive into the meteoric rise and dramatic fall that brought Williams back to add some much-needed perspective: from boyband fame to becoming one of Britain's most celebrated entertainers, bringing light also to the very personal struggles and challenges those successes brought about: the battles with fame, with addiction, and between him and his personal relationships.
From Williams' perspective, Better Man will be all about his wittiness and unconquerable spirit to make this more than a music documentary; it's a human story in triumph and survival.
Director Behind the Vision: Michael Gracey
Better Man is a return film for Michael Gracey, after the huge success of his 2021 documentary P!nk: All I Know So Far, and his musical The Greatest Showman in 2017. Gracey also has experience as a director, for music videos with big artists such as Pink, Natasha Bedingfield, and Alesha Dixon, among others.
Although Gracey can make movies pulsating with creativity, Better Man will hopefully not be a one-off reaction, as seen in the case of Telluride Film Festival, but will be a move towards the much-needed cinematic discourse. He's going to direct Robbie Williams' life in a manner that is worked out as a visual metaphor so that more interesting and emotional narration eventually comes under observation of viewers.
Star-Studded Cast
The film is also supported by a cast of talents who include Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, and Anthony Hayes. They bring life to the scenes and characters that deliver climactic moments in Williams' life, thereby making the movie fresh and real.
Mark Your Date: Release Dates of Better Man
Fans of Robbie Williams and biopics alike will not want to miss Better Man. In limited release on December 25 - just in time for the holidays - comes the first national expansion of January 17.
With an interesting visual narrative and emotional depth, Better Man promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience that could capture the highs and lows of one of the most iconic figures in British music history.