Robbie Williams’ musical biopic Better Man has received rave reviews from critics, who praised the film as “riveting”, “great” and “absolutely inspired”.
The semi-biographical film follows the singer’s meteoric rise to fame as a member of Take That and his subsequent dramatic fall, as he struggled with his personal demons and the challenges that success can bring.
But in a twist on the genre, the pop star, 50, is portrayed as a chimpanzee in the film, while everyone else is human, with Jonno Davies acting out the movements using motion capture technology and Robbie doing the most. part of the voice work.
And while critics have called the decision a “huge risk” and a “potentially stupid tactic,” they declared that it ended up being a genius choice and “one of the most inspired pieces of casting of the year.”
While they also praised director Michael Gracey for creating the right balance of fun-filled choreographed musical numbers with deeply emotional scenes and said the film works best when it delves into Robbie’s vulnerability.
In his four-star review for Roger Egbert.comClint Worthington said the chimpanzee trick was a “smart move” that allowed Robbie to “vulnerably share his low points while downplaying the pomp and circumstance of his high points.”
Robbie Williams’ musical biopic Better Man has received rave reviews from critics, who praised the film as “riveting”, “great” and “absolutely inspired”.
The semi-biographical film follows the singer’s meteoric rise to fame as a member of Take That and his subsequent dramatic fall, as he struggled with his personal demons and the challenges that success can bring (pictured in the film).
He added: ‘You won’t see another musical biopic like ‘Better Man,’ regardless of your level of familiarity with the subject. There’s an excess of charm here that helps sell the nonsensical gimmick.
While The telegraphRobbie Collin agreed, also giving the film four stars and stating: “The Take That singer’s decision to tell his life story through a CGI chimpanzee may seem stupid, but it is completely inspired.”
He called it “pure monkey magic” and praised Jonno for delivering “the best performance of its kind since Andy Serkis’ Gollum in The Lord of the Rings”, writing: “The physical integration is seamless; the fine emotional details are fascinatingly subtle and present.’
And in another four star review, Empire‘s Alex Godfrey said the risk was worth it because it “elevates everything we see on screen, making everything heightened and somehow more relatable.”
Alex wrote that the idea of the monkey makes us even more sympathetic to Robbie’s story, saying: “The conceit works wonders: the little physical animal touches make him feel like a real animal and we care for him much more than we would if he out”. a resemblance to a human.’
Although the four-star review in the Financial times His thoughts were echoed, with Danny Leigh saying: “Animal Magic is a masterstroke, putting a surreal twist on what would otherwise be simply grim and capturing a certain sad and strange truth about the subject.”
However, the guardian‘s’ Peter Bradshaw had a very different take on the chimpanzee twist in his three-star review, saying that “the ironic, surreal effect wears off” throughout the film.
Disagreeing with other critics, he said: “The film is interestingly candid about the toxic, driving force of envy behind a musical career, but in the end, as surprising and fun as it may initially be, Robbie-as-chimp feels as a distraction.” of his all-too-human unhappiness and talent.
But in a twist on the genre, the pop star, 50, is portrayed as a chimpanzee in the film, while everyone else is human, with Jonno Davies acting out the movements using motion capture technology and Robbie doing the most. part of the voice work.
While they also praised director Michael Gracey for creating the right balance of fun-filled choreographed musical numbers with deep emotional scenes and said the film works best when it delves into Robbie’s vulnerability (pictured at the Paris premiere this month).
But in Kristy Puchko’s review of MashableHe said that seeing Robbie as a literal animal “brings a new perspective and a fascinating mix of humor and vulnerability” that made Better Man “the best musical biopic since the gripping splendor of Elton John’s Rocketman.”
He added that the film is also supported by “a fantastic supporting cast” and praised it as “fascinating” because it “embraces a holistic approach that doesn’t shy away from Williams’ darkest moments.”
AND time is upKaleem Aftab wholeheartedly agreed, giving “a fun, bombastic, brilliantly choreographed and totally engrossing film” the maximum five-star ratings.
While he also stated that it surpassed other films in the genre, he wrote: “When it comes to musical biopics, William’s could stand at the forefront on its own.
“Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody are just two of the praised films that Better Man left in the dust.”
The official synopsis for Robbie’s new film reads: ‘Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
‘Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his trademark wit and indomitable spirit.
“Follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to becoming the youngest member of the hit boy band Take That, to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist, as he faces the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring”.
The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin called it “pure monkey magic” and praised Jonno for delivering “the best performance of this type since Andy Serkis’ Gollum in The Lord of the Rings.”
Robbie previously addressed the outlandish choice to perform as a chimpanzee on The Graham Norton Show in an episode airing on New Year’s Eve.
He explained: “There had to be a creative difference because the biopic genre has become a bit long and tired, so we needed a unique selling point.
“When I heard that everyone else in the movie would be human and I would be a monkey, I thought, ‘Yes! This is an eccentric idea, it’s a great swing, I can see it instantly, it’s incredible.” Only when I told my wife about it did I realize it could be controversial.
After being asked if he enjoyed watching it, he said: “It starts off being a cheeky guy and then for 45 minutes it’s like Trainspotting – it’s like the greatest hits of trauma and grief, so yeah, it’s a bit confrontational, a bit trigger.” .’