Let's jump right into the swirling world of ‘Better Man’ — the biography, fantasy, and musical phenomenon directed by Michael Gracey. This movie review sets out to dissect the meteoric rise, the crash, and the phoenix-like resurgence of the British pop icon, Robbie Williams. Seriously, if you love complex characters and musical genius all wrapped up in one cinematic package, brace yourself!
In this film, the plot mixes reality with a dash of fantasy flair, and boy, what a heady cocktail it delivers! Imagine combining the wild life of one of Britain's most notorious pop stars with a whimsical touch straight out of a fairy tale. Yep, that pretty much sums it up. It's a tale as old as time — fame, personal demons, a triumphant comeback — but with a Williams twist. Think fancy musical numbers, outlandish sequences, and a narrative that doesn't shy away from showing both the glitz and the sorrow of a music icon's life. Can you feel the tension and the triumphs? It's got both in bucketloads.
When it comes to dissecting the performance here, Robbie Williams himself is a standout — obviously, he knows his life better than anyone. But it's Jonno Davies who steps into young Robbie's shoes with eerily accurate charm and chaos. And let's just say, watching him is a ride! I mean, what a job by director Michael Gracey to bring such energy to life. I've got to hand it to the guy — the cinematography is on point, capturing the erratic pulse of fame perfectly. However, the screenplay does hit a few sour notes. Some scenes drag without much depth, hanging there like a leftover note. Maybe it could've done with a couple of those infamous Robster rewrites! With stars like Steve Pemberton and Alison Steadman joining the mix, there are performances here that'll either make you laugh, cry, or quite possibly both at once.
If you’re thinking, 'Hmm, this sounds familiar,' you're probably reminiscing about titles like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ or ‘Rocketman’, those other biographical gems with a musical heart. But don’t jump to conclusions too quickly! ‘Better Man’ makes its mark with a bolder, more whimsical dive into fantasy — a step that either pushes it into the annals of the best musical films or leaves you scratching your head. Critics might say it's a challenge to see past the glitter of the genre mashup, but isn't that what makes film critique fun? Most movie breakdowns can tell you it's not leaning into any fixed taste.
If you're a fan of the best fantasy and musical movies, and don't mind your biopics peppered with a little magic realism, then ‘Better Man’ is the ticket you never knew you needed. Get ready to sing along with some bangers and remember why pop music and movie reviews hold such an important place in our hearts. It might not be for everyone, but take a chance — after all, isn't it better to have seen a cinematic masterpiece and not liked it, than never to have seen it at all?