Hats off to Robbie Williams, the English singer-songwriter who has deftly navigated the choppy waters of boy band fame, tabloid scrutiny, and record-breaking solo success. His latest venture, Better Man, is a biopic that masterfully interweaves hits from across his illustrious career — including “Angels,” “She’s the One,” and “Rock DJ” — to amplify the artist’s triumphs and tribulations. In a bold move, Williams, in collaboration with writer/director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), has shattered the mold of the music biopic, often plagued by clichés, pandering, and dullness. He has, quite literally, turned himself into a dancing primate, reminiscent of the iconic performances that have electrified audiences of all ages, as seen in this unforgettable performance. 

Better Man unfolds a poignant tale of Williams’ humble beginnings in Stoke-on-Trent, his rebellious years in the British group Take That, his struggles with substance abuse, tumultuous romance with a fellow pop star, celebrity feuds, and family dramas, all while portraying the singer as a CGI chimpanzee reminiscent of the Planet of the Apes reboots. Initially, this unconventional approach might seem like a clever gimmick designed to captivate audiences with its sheer audacity. However, Gracey skillfully nurtures this concept, combining a collaborative performance with actors and the renowned VFX studio Wētā FX to create a profoundly moving portrait of an artist grappling with his inner demons. 

While the narrative beats of Williams’ story follow a familiar trajectory, his willingness to be depicted as a literal animal brings a refreshing perspective and an enthralling blend of humor and vulnerability. This results in the most compelling music biopic since the rousing splendor of Elton John’s Rocketman (which Gracey notably executive produced). 

Who brings Robbie Williams to life in Better Man? 

This is a fascinating and multifaceted question. Williams lends his voice to the narrative, crafted by Gracey, Oliver Cole, and Simon Gleeson, drawing from in-depth interviews with the sensational singer. Meanwhile, English actor Jonno Davies (Hunters) brings the character to life, masterfully blending a physicality that is both commanding and charismatic. While the rest of the cast don period attire, Davies wears a motion-capture suit, complete with a small camera above his face to track his expressions. From there, Wētā crafts chimp Robbie, inspired by Williams’ own eyes and various hairstyles. The final touch: a voice that seamlessly merges Davies’ and Williams’ performances. The result is a powerful and captivating performance that is one of the most surprising yet riveting of the year. 

In the narrative, Williams introduces himself with a sly tone and a barrage of insults that have been hurled against him. Davies picks up on that tough exterior, adding a layer of macho posturing, but also injects a sense of humor with his goofy bravado, petulant outbursts, juvenile gestures, and a self-pleasuring bit that is laugh-out-loud hilarious. But what makes Better Man truly riveting is its unflinching approach, refusing to shy away from Williams’ darkest moments. 

You might assume that scenes about drug use, infidelity, and self-harm would be undermined by this furry gimmick. But by the end of the first sequence — in which a young Robert (Jack Sherran) has a rough day at the playground — the chimp device surprisingly makes sense. The animation Wētā created is so evocative, the performance behind it so authentic, that it simply works, not only in moments of drama but also in truly epic musical numbers. 

Better Man bursts with show-stopping song and dance numbers. 

As in Rocketman, Gracey employs songs anachronistically. For instance, Take That’s rise to fame is backed by “Rock DJ,” a hit from Williams’ solo career. This is not a glitch but a deliberate choice, as both films prioritize the emotional resonance of their story over strict factual accuracy. This creative freedom to use Williams’ hits as they make sense in the narrative (rather than when they occurred in his life) allows for electrifying sequences of joy, agony, and romance. 

In the music video for "Rock DJ," the fledgling band revels in their newfound fame, dancing through upscale boutiques and double-decker buses, eventually sweeping up the entire city of London in their euphoria. Meanwhile, the poignant "She's the One" showcases Robbie's tender side, as he performs a heartfelt duet, effortlessly gliding across the dance floor in a Golden Era ballroom number, and swoon-worthily dipping his female partner (Raechelle Banno).

However, not every song is a celebration. It's in moments of trepidation that Better Man's bold gamble pays off.

Robbie Williams' self-destructive tendencies are vividly portrayed.

Better Man masterfully blends realistic settings with surreal scenarios, much like the visual language of music videos. A car crash in the rain, for instance, morphs into a harrowing underwater sequence, where chimp Robbie is beset by fans clamoring for mementos and paparazzi whose blinding cameras make his struggle to the surface all the more arduous. Interspersed with these scenes are more traditional moments, such as a montage of Williams' magazine covers and music videos, charting his meteoric rise to fame. But what could have been a clichéd concert scene is revitalized by the introduction of multiple chimp Robbies, adding a fresh layer of complexity.

As he gazes out at the roaring crowd, Robbie sees his own scowling face staring back at him. Initially, it's just one or two of his own visages, but as his self-doubt grows, his inner critic, who taunts him with feelings of inadequacy and fraudulence, multiplies and becomes an army. The jarring cuts from the dancing chimp's performative grin to the snarling doppelgängers, each a painful reminder of past embarrassments or failures, are nothing short of breathtaking. Even at the pinnacle of success, Robbie is haunted by his own demons.

This innovative use of CGI animation is bolstered by a talented supporting cast. Steve Pemberton shines as Williams' manipulative deadbeat dad, while Alison Steadman brings warmth and authenticity to her portrayal of his devoted grandmother. The actors bring a palpable sense of realism to their roles, making this fractured family feel achingly genuine. This is all the more impressive considering they were acting opposite an actor clad in mo-cap gear. Together, the cast and crew have crafted a visually stunning, deeply personal, and relatable film that feels both grandiose and intimate. It's a cinematic mashup of Billy Elliot, Rocketman, and Planet of the Apes, yet somehow, it's so much more.