Director Michael Gracey reimagines British star Robbie Williams as a cheeky monkey in a new musical biopic that misses the beat.
By James Verniere/Boston Movie News
From “The Greatest Showman” director Michael Gracey comes another showbiz fable, the “Rocketman”-like jukebox musical rise and fall and rise again of Robbie Williams. If you’re wondering, “Who in the heck earth is Robbie Williams?” you’re not alone—on this side of the pond, Williams is akin to this generation’s Cliff Richard (go ahead, Google him). Adding to the eccentricity, Williams voices his own character, brought to life by actor Jonno Davies via motion capture. The twist? The onscreen Williams has the head of a chimpanzee and the body of the so-called “shirtless hunk” Davies. The result feels like an absurd mash-up of “Rocketman” and “Monkey Man” that no one asked for.
We meet Robert (he isn’t called Robbie until later) as a boy who loves listening to and singing along to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and whose “DNA is cabaret” and greatest fear is being a “nobody.”
This dramatic obviousness is a primary trait of the screenplay by director Gracey and first-timers Simon Gleeson and Oliver Cole. Robert’s father, Peter (three-time BAFTA winner Steve Pemberton), whose stage name is Conway, is a not-very talented stand-up comic/singer/cabaret performer who spends more time away from the family and performing in tacky pubs. Robert, whose chimpanzee face and fur (courtesy of famous New Zealand FX house Weta) are not commented upon, grows up watching old films on the telly with his beloved “gran” Betty (the great Alison Steadman). After performing in a grade-school production of “Pirates of Penzance,’ Robert, aka Robbie, is recruited by Svengali-like producer Nigel Martin-Smith (Damon Herriman, “The Bikeriders”) to be part of the Manchester boy band pop group Take That. Robbie’s first efforts at writing lyrics and lead singing are ridiculed by the band’s lead writer and singer, Gary Barlow (Jake Simmance).
While you’re taking all this “Rocketman-ia” in, you’re also sitting there wondering why on Earth the filmmakers made “Better Man” (a lame pun indeed) the “Planet of the (Robbie Williams) Ape” of a film. Is this some bizarre spinoff of the Matt Reeves “Ape Planet” franchise? Or, more to the point, what were they thinking? Is the chimpanzee face a metaphor? Of what?
Take That at first plays gay clubs, where their youth and focus on dancing are a hit. We heard several of the band’s singles, none of which rang a bell for me. There is an Oasis reference that I’m sure Liam Gallagher will object to. Robbie gets into pills, booze, cocaine, and Prozac to fight his killing depression (the film’s psychology is grade-school level). The more showbiz success Robbie enjoys, the more interested his previously absentee father becomes. Robbie envies rival Gary’s North of England mansion, car collection, and butler. Soon, Robbie has his own. Robbie is bisexual. Then, he meets Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno of Australia TV’s legendary “Home & Away”), with whom he has a dance duet to the tune of Williams’ “She’s the One.” Robbie’s love affair and marriage with Nicole are marred by his drug use and constant infidelity (if not his chimpanzee head). “Fame is an aphrodisiac,” don’t you know. Appleton will later marry—wait for it—Gallagher (Leo Harvey-Elledge). Robbie, who adores Frank, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and the Rat Pack, tells someone that he needs this “Dutch courage” of booze, pills, and coke to get through a performance. We hear Williams’ smash hit anthem “Angels” over scenes of his beloved, although mostly ignored granny’s funeral.
Between the cringe-inducing dialogue, the so-overdone rock star tropes, and the mystifying choice to use the chimpanzee countenance (Could Williams not bear the idea of being played by another human being?), “Better Man” collapses. Robbie describes himself to the group at an AA meeting as “unevolved.” I’ll say…someone at the meeting should have said. It comes to a head at a triumphal Royal Albert Hall concert (this was filmed at a real Williams 2022 concert), where the star performs, yes, “My Way” and is assured by his dad that he is “one of the gods.” More like one of the chimps.
‘Better Man’
Rating: R for drug use, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity, some violent content, and being forced to listen to “My Way.”
Cast: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton
Director: Michael Gracey
Writers: Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
Running Time: 136 minutes
Where to Watch: In theaters
Grade: C-
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