Building a musical biopic around Robbie Williams where he’s portrayed as a CGI monkey and everyone else is a normal human is an intriguingly bizarre concept – but Better Man is exactly as cheeky, bolshy and ballsy as I hoped. Obviously for such a risky move, the film pretty much lives and dies by this central conceit which somehow livens up the whole movie yet quickly becomes something you don’t question at all.
![[Better Man 2024 semi-biographical musical film about British pop singer Robbie Williams]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234045382-b2d6.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
One of the most refreshing takes on a biopic in yonks, Better Man is an inspired, unashamedly British musical with its colourful language (there’s no scarcity of F-bombs) and nostalgia-packed references. Williams has always yearned to break America and makes no secret that this is his most recent attempt. There are many moments that could get lost in translation but it’s satisfying for a home audience that this is a story and personality that we easily recognise – no quirks have been sacrificed at the altar of international appeal.
![[No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paramount/Everett/REX/Shutterstock (14806026j) BETTER MAN, Jonno Davies as Robbie Williams, 2024. ? Paramount Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection Better Man - 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234014996-6a1a.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The chart-topper has also never sounded better, with versions of all his biggest hits specially re-recorded and re-arranged for the soundtrack, where they’re used to punctuate the highs and lows of his journey to fame alongside Take That and as a solo artist. You’ll be itching to blast out your favourites at home once the credits roll (and googling to check that yes, the group’s looks really did include that much Lycra, mesh and bleach).
![[Better Man 2024 semi-biographical musical film about British pop singer Robbie Williams]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234045347-f69b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Better Man’s greatest strength is how unflinching Williams has allowed the writing to be. There’s plenty we already know, such as his struggles with addiction and depression and his sometimes-fraught relationships with family, friends and girlfriends. But somehow it resonates even more when played out on the big screen by a walking, talking, singing chimpanzee and narrated by Williams’ own instantly recognisable tones.
![[Better Man 2024 semi-biographical musical film about British pop singer Robbie Williams]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234045359-461c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
