Michael Gracey’s Better Man is far more than your average music biopic.
It is a visually striking exploration of the life of British pop Icon Robbie Williams. While the film follows the “Rock DJ” ’s rise from the boy band Take That to his solo success, it does so through an unexpected lens: a CGI chimpanzee voiced by Williams himself.
The visuals are mesmerizing, with show-stopping sequences like the reimagined Rock DJ sequence, in which Robbie and his bandmates cause havoc down Regent Street in London. It’s a whirlwind spectacle that feels like cinematic magic.
Better Man is an emotionally charged tribute to an artist who has been both beloved and misunderstood, and the film’s unique approach has made me a fan all over again.
In my review, I talk about the significance of the Chimpanzee performing the role of Robbie Williams, how the visuals enhance the storytelling, and the sincerity of quieter moments that capture a vivid portrait of the iconic pop star.
Letter Grade: A