Movie Review: Better Man

 Movie number 40 of 2024

The Movie: Better Man

The Cinema: Victa Cinemas, Victor Harbor

Stars: 5

On paper, Better Man looks absolutely bonkers. And it is absolutely bonkers in many ways. But it's also BRILLIANT, and I'm not saying this because I'm a great Robbie Williams fan. Robbie Williams is a consummate entertainer. This film is incredibly entertaining.

Better Man truly is gold. Unexpected. Hard hitting. Funny. Appropriately musical. Joyous. Redemptive. This film has it all. 

With Robbie Williams playing himself, but recreated as a CGI monkey with a man's body. 

It's SOOOOO effective. I loved every minute of this. It also helps that I was in England in the 90s and remember the Take That story, and the fallout of Robbie leaving the band, but this movie is so much more than this. 

For those who are unaware, Robbie Williams was a boy from Stoke on Trent in the North of England who at the age of 15 was selected to be a part of the boy band, Take That. He's been in and out of the British papers, normally showing him in a bad light. 

And if you haven't seen the Netflix documentary about him, it's worthwhile. You find out that he now lives in America away from the prying eyes of the British press. 

What's both great and curious is that this is an Australian production, with a lot of Australian actors playing key roles. Kate Mulvaney is his long-suffering Mum. Damon Herriman is Nigel Martin Smith, Take That's producer. Raechelle Banno plays Nicole Appleton, with whom Robbie had an intense relationship. And Alison Steadman is just gorgeous as Robbie's grandmother. 

The film is filled with drug taking and references about suicide. Indeed, Robbie did get to a very dark place there for a while. It also looks at the well-documented relationship with his father. (Steve Pemberton).

What this film does is mix Robbie's music in with his life story - and this is done very well. Making it more impressive, it was made in Australia using Australian actors and film studios. 

And as for the monkey face, which is CGI imposed over Williams's face, this was taken from the writer, Michael Gracey, noting that Williams, in interviews describing himself as a performing monkey. To be honest, after the first initial seconds, you don't notice it, and it's done very well. It puts a different spin on this film. 

I was bowled over by Better Man. The music, the cinematography and the story. It's well worth a look. 

Even better, I went to the cinema in Victor Harbor. $17 movie tickets and $5 choc tops. 

Regardless, this is really worth a look. I loved this. 

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