30 Facts About The Movie Better Man

The Story and Concept of Better Man

"Better Man" is not your typical musical biopic. It dives deep into the life of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, showcasing his highs and lows in a unique way.

1. Title and Plot: The movie "Better Man" is a musical biopic based on the true story of British pop superstar Robbie Williams. It chronicles his meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence in the music industry.

2. Director: Michael Gracey, known for his work on "The Greatest Showman," directs the film, bringing his flair for musical storytelling to the project.

3. Production Team: The production team includes Paul Currie, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Craig McMahon, and Jules Daly, among others, ensuring a high-quality production.

4. Cast: The film features Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies (who plays Williams in the CGI monkey form), Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, and Kate Mulvany.

Unique Elements and Visual Style

"Better Man" stands out with its unconventional choices, particularly the use of CGI and motion capture to depict Robbie Williams.

5. CGI Monkey Concept: Robbie Williams is played by a CGI monkey throughout the film, a unique and unconventional choice. This concept stems from private conversations where Williams told Gracey that he feels like a monkey on stage for the audience's amusement.

6. Motion Capture: The CGI monkey is brought to life via motion capture, similar to Andy Serkis' work in the "Planet of the Apes" franchise. Jonno Davies wore the motion-capture suit to capture the monkey’s movement and provided the voice for all spoken dialogue.

7. Release Date: The film is set to be released on December 26, 2024, making it a highly anticipated holiday release.

8. Synopsis: The film follows Robbie Williams from his childhood to his rise as a member of the boyband Take That and then as a solo artist. It explores his challenges with fame, personal relationships, and his struggles with addiction.

Controversial Moments and Visual Effects

The film doesn't shy away from controversial moments in Robbie Williams' career, using advanced visual effects to bring these scenes to life.

9. Controversial Moment Depiction: The film includes a scene from Robbie Williams’ music video for "Rock DJ," which was highly controversial at the time of its release. The video featured Williams stripping and tearing off his skin and organs, leading to censorship and bans in several countries.

10. Visual Effects: The film employs advanced visual effects, particularly in the musical sequences, which are reminiscent of Baz Luhrmann's style. The VFX team behind the film includes artists from the "Planet of the Apes" franchise.

11. Musical Numbers: The film features several show-stopping musical numbers, including a medley on London's Regent Street, which is described as jaw-dropping.

12. Biopic Tropes: While the film hits every expected musician biopic trope, it does not sand off the harsh edges. It fully embraces an R-rating with its depiction of sex, drugs, and extreme violence.

Personal Struggles and Relationships

"Better Man" delves into the personal struggles and relationships that shaped Robbie Williams' life and career.

13. Personal Struggles: The film delves into Robbie Williams’ personal struggles, including his strained relationship with his father, Peter (played by Steve Pemberton), who abandoned him at a young age to pursue his own musical ambitions.

14. Father-Son Relationship: The strained father-son relationship is a poignant aspect of the screenplay, co-written by Gracey, Oliver Cole, and Simon Gleeson. This relationship is balanced with the series of show-stopping musical numbers.

15. Influence of "Me and My Monkey": The song "Me and My Monkey" by Robbie Williams is cited as an inspiration for the movie. The tune is about his battle against drug addiction and his path to making peace with himself, mirroring the film's narrative.

16. Small-Town Boy Story: Strip away the celebrity depictions, and the story becomes one of a small-town boy who had the personality and bravado to be famous but didn’t have the tools to cope with it. The film explores how insecurity and anxiety can lead to self-destruction but also how introspection and a moment to take stock can lead to redemption.

Comparisons and Reception

"Better Man" has drawn comparisons to other musical biopics and has received mixed reviews from critics.

17. Comparison to Other Biopics: The film is compared to other musical biopics like "Rocketman" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," but it stands out for its unique visual style and sincere portrayal of Robbie Williams’ life.

18. Pacing and Tone: The pacing of the film is electrifying, with thrilling dance sequences and a fun, bombastic tone that makes it an enthralling watch.

19. Critical Reception: The film has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its ambition and sincerity while others find it unusual and deranged. Despite this, it has been described as one of the most inspired bits of casting of the year.

20. Toronto Film Festival Premiere: The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2024, where it received early word and praise from viewers.

Marketing and Fan Reaction

The film's unconventional presentation poses unique marketing challenges, but fans of Robbie Williams are likely to connect with its tone.

21. Paramount Pictures Release: Paramount Pictures will release the film in theaters later this year, following its premiere at TIFF.

22. Marketing Challenges: The unconventional presentation of the film raises questions about how it will be marketed. Critics wonder how Paramount will market this unique biopic, given its subject matter and presentation.

23. Fan Reaction: Fans of Robbie Williams will likely connect with the film's tone and enjoy the musical numbers, which are central to the story. However, the film's success also depends on whether viewers can connect with its unconventional style.

Historical Context and Creative Liberties

"Better Man" provides historical context to Robbie Williams' career while taking creative liberties to tell a compelling narrative.

24. Historical Context: The film provides historical context to Robbie Williams’ career, including his rise with Take That and his subsequent solo career. It also touches on his personal struggles and controversies, such as the "Rock DJ" music video.

25. Creative Liberties: The film takes creative liberties with Robbie Williams’ story, as is common with biopics. However, it does not aim to be a documentary and instead focuses on telling a compelling narrative.

Visual Language and Emotional Depth

The film's visual language and emotional depth make it a captivating and heartfelt portrayal of Robbie Williams' life.

26. Visual Language: The film's visual language is described as defying categorization, with musical numbers that would make Baz Luhrmann dizzy. The use of CGI and motion capture creates a unique visual experience that is both captivating and surreal.

27. Emotional Depth: Despite its unconventional style, the film manages to convey emotional depth. It explores themes of insecurity, anxiety, and redemption, making it a sincere and heartfelt portrayal of Robbie Williams’ life.

Impact and Cultural Significance

"Better Man" challenges conventional biopic tropes and presents a fresh perspective on celebrity life, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

28. Impact on Viewers: The film's impact on viewers is significant, as it challenges conventional biopic tropes and presents a fresh perspective on celebrity life. It leaves viewers with a lasting impression, even if they are unsure about its artistic merits.

29. Cultural Significance: The film's cultural significance lies in its bold approach to storytelling. It pushes the boundaries of what is expected in a biopic, making it a cultural event worth discussing and analyzing.

30. Legacy: The legacy of "Better Man" will be determined by its reception and impact on the biopic genre. If it succeeds in captivating audiences and challenging conventional storytelling methods, it could leave a lasting legacy in the world of cinema.

Final Thoughts on Better Man

"Better Man" is shaping up to be a unique and ambitious musical biopic. With Michael Gracey at the helm, known for "The Greatest Showman," and a cast featuring Robbie Williams and Jonno Davies, the film promises a fresh take on the traditional biopic. The use of a CGI monkey to portray Williams adds an unconventional twist that sets it apart. The film dives deep into Williams' life, from his rise with Take That to his solo career, exploring his personal struggles and controversial moments. With advanced visual effects, show-stopping musical numbers, and a sincere portrayal of Williams' challenges, "Better Man" aims to leave a lasting impression. Whether it will be remembered as groundbreaking or bizarre, it’s sure to spark conversations. Mark your calendars for its release on December 26, 2024.