Better Man (film)

Last updated

Better Man
Better Man film poster.jpg
Release poster
Directed by Michael Gracey
Written by
Produced by
  • Paul Currie
  • Michael Gracey
  • Coco Xiaolu Ma
  • Craig McMahon
  • Jules Daly
Starring
Cinematography Erik A. Wilson
Edited by
Music by
  • Batu Sener (score)
  • Robbie Williams (songs)
Production
companies
  • Sina Studios
  • Facing East Entertainment
  • Rocket Science
  • Lost Bandits
  • Footloose Productions
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 30 August 2024 (2024-08-30)(Telluride)
  • 25 December 2024 (2024-12-25)(United States)
  • 26 December 2024 (2024-12-26)(Australia)
Running time
135 minutes [1]
Countries
  • Australia
  • United States [2]
LanguageEnglish

Better Man is a 2024 semi-biographical film about British pop singer Robbie Williams. It was co-written, co-produced and directed by Michael Gracey. Williams is portrayed as a chimpanzee with CGI, performed by Jonno Davies using motion capture.

Contents

Better Man premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on 25 December by Paramount Pictures and in Australia on 26 December by Roadshow Films.

Premise

Tells the life story of pop singer Robbie Williams, but with Williams portrayed as a chimpanzee because, as he puts it, he always felt "less evolved" than other people.

Cast

Production

Development

The project was first announced in February 2021 as co-written and directed by Michael Gracey with Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson also having co-writing credits, and Gracey also producing alongside Jules Daly for Big Red Films and Craig McMahon for McMahon International. [3] Later that year it was reported that funding also came via the Australian government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria’s incentive programmes. [4] The film is set to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Roadshow Films with international sales handled by Rocket Science. [5]

Described as a satirical musical, the project is reported to cover three decades of Robbie Williams' stardom, from his first success in popular music combo Take That through the ups and down of his career. The project was reported to "reinterpret and recontextualise" some of his songs. [6]

Casting

Williams played himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version. Williams described the filming process as “super odd” because he would find himself “sat in make-up and the lady that’s playing your grandma is sitting next to you, and the people playing your mum and dad”. [7] Williams is portrayed by Jonno Davies as a CGI chimpanzee, using motion-capture technology. [8]

Other cast members include Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Anthony Hayes, Damon Herriman and Kate Mulvany, with Williams' Take That band mates set to be played by Jake Simmance (Barlow), Liam Head (Donald), Jesse Hyde (Owen) and Chase Vollenweider (Orange). [9] VFX was provided by Wētā FX. [10]

Filming

Principal photography took place at the Docklands Studios Melbourne, in May and June 2022. [11] [12] Filming of concert scenes from his ‘Live At The Albert’ show in 2001 were filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London during Williams' concert appearances there on 6 and 7 November 2022. Members of the public could snap up bargain price tickets to attend in evening dress for the gigs. [13] Filming also took place in London in March 2023. [14]

Music

Songs by Robbie Williams reportedly to feature in the film include ‘She’s The One’, ‘Angels’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’. [15] Gracey said the songs will be “re-sung”, to suit “the emotion of the moment” in the film. [16] The original score was composed by Batu Sener. [17] On 22 November 2024, Williams released the single "Forbidden Road", taken from the film's soundtrack; it peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. [18]

Release

Better Man premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2024. [19] [20] Additionally, the film opened the 55th International Film Festival of India on 20 November 2024. [21]

The film is scheduled to be released in theaters in Australia on 26 December 2024; a limited theatrical release in the United States will take place a day prior, with a wider release set for 10 January 2025. [22] [23]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 87% of 38 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. [24] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 74 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [25]

Accolades

The song “Forbidden Road” from the film was nominated for Best Original Song at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. [26]

Better Man received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the 2025 AACTA Awards. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Williams</span> English pop singer (born 1974)

Robert Peter Williams is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, launching a solo career in 1996. His debut studio album, Life thru a Lens, was released in 1997, and included his best-selling single "Angels". His second album, I've Been Expecting You, featured the songs "Millennium" and "She's the One", his first number one singles. His discography includes seven UK No. 1 singles, and all but one of his 14 studio albums have reached No. 1 in the UK. Six of his albums are among the top 100 biggest-selling albums in the UK, with two of them in the top 60, and he gained a Guinness World Record in 2006 for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during his Close Encounters Tour.

Guy Antony Chambers is an English songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for his work with Robbie Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Henshall</span> Australian actor (born 1982)

Daniel Edwin Henshall is an Australian actor. Following his film debut in Snowtown (2011), for which he won the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Henshall appeared in films such as The Babadook (2014), Okja (2017), Acute Misfortune (2018), and Catch the Fair One (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Snook</span> Australian actress (born 1987)

Sarah Ruth Snook is an Australian actress. She is best known for her starring role as Shiv Roy in the HBO drama series Succession (2018–2023), for which she won two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Docklands Studios Melbourne</span> Australian film and television production studio

Docklands Studios Melbourne is a major film and television production complex located in Melbourne’s redeveloped Docklands precinct. The site is approximately two kilometres (1.2 mi) from Melbourne’s Central Business District. The complex opened in 2004 and its primary function is to support Victoria's film and television industry and attract international and Australian productions to Melbourne.

Kip Williams is an Australian theatre and opera director. Williams is the current Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company. His appointment at age 30 made him the youngest artistic director in the company's history.

Better Man or Betterman may refer to:

Black Bear Pictures is a media company that develops, produces and finances original content for film and television. Black Bear is based in Santa Monica, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonno Davies</span> English actor (born 1992)

Jonno Davies is an English actor. He is best known in the UK and US for his role as Alex DeLarge in the stage production of A Clockwork Orange. In 2020, he appeared in the Amazon Prime series Hunters as Tobias. In May 2022, it was announced that Davies had been cast as British singer Robbie Williams in Better Man, a forthcoming biopic on the adult life of Williams, due for release in late 2024, directed by Michael Gracey.

<i>Elvis</i> (2022 film) Film by Baz Luhrmann

Elvis is a 2022 epic biographical drama film co-produced and directed by Baz Luhrmann, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner. It chronicles the life of the American rock and roll singer and actor Elvis Presley under the management of Colonel Tom Parker. It stars Austin Butler and Tom Hanks as Presley and Parker, respectively, with Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Luke Bracey in supporting roles.

<i>Benediction</i> (film) 2021 biographical drama film

Benediction is a 2021 biographical romantic drama film written and directed by Terence Davies. It stars Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi as the war poet Siegfried Sassoon, along with Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irvine, Kate Phillips, Gemma Jones, and Ben Daniels.

<i>Rustin</i> (film) 2023 film by George C. Wolfe

Rustin is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by George C. Wolfe, from a screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black, and a story by Breece about the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground, the film stars Colman Domingo in the title role, alongside Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Jeffrey Wright, and Audra McDonald. It is based on the true story of Rustin, who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and others organize the 1963 March on Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be Alive</span> 2021 single by Beyoncé

"Be Alive" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. It was written and produced by Beyoncé and DIXSON for the 2021 biographical drama film King Richard. It was released on November 12, 2021, through Parkwood Entertainment.

<i>Cassandro</i> (film) 2023 film by Roger Ross Williams

Cassandro is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by Roger Ross Williams from a screenplay co-written by Williams and David Teague. It stars Gael García Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla De La Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, Raúl Castillo, El Hijo del Santo and Bad Bunny. It had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023, and was released by Amazon MGM Studios in a limited release on September 15, 2023, prior to streaming via Prime Video on September 22, 2023.

Gandhi is an upcoming Indian biographical historical drama television series created and directed by Hansal Mehta. Produced by Applause Entertainment, the series depicts the life of Mahatma Gandhi, based on the books Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha. The series is planned to span three seasons. Production for the first season began in January 2024, with its release expected in early 2025.

<i>Piece by Piece</i> (2024 film) 2024 film by Morgan Neville

Piece by Piece is a 2024 American animated biographical documentary comedy film co-written, co-produced, and directed by filmmaker Morgan Neville in his animated directorial debut. It follows the life and career of American musician Pharrell Williams, who stars in the film, through the lens of Lego animation, or brickfilm. Produced by The Lego Group, Neville's Tremolo Productions, and Williams' I Am Other, Piece by Piece marks the sixth theatrical Lego-based film and the first under Universal Pictures' run of their film rights. Alongside Williams and Neville, the film stars the voices of Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg.

<i>Porcelain War</i> 2024 documentary film about the war in Ukraine

Porcelain War is a 2024 documentary film directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev. It won the 2024 Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and follows the experience of Ukrainian artists as they face the current Russian occupation in Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">55th International Film Festival of India</span> 2024 Indian film festival

The 55th International Film Festival of India took place from 20 to 28 November, 2024 at Panaji, Goa. The theme of this year's festival is 'Young Filmmakers – The Future is Now', so this year a new section and award category 'Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film' has been introduced in the festival to encourage young blood. The award constitutes of a certificate and cash prize of ₹5 lakh in recognition of young directorial talent from India. The festival screened over 180 international films from 81 countries, including 15 world premieres.

The 14th Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards is an awards ceremony to celebrate the best of Australian films and television of 2024. The main ceremony is scheduled to take place on 7 February 2025 at the Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast and will be broadcast on Network 10 and Arena. The recipient of the Longford Lyell Award has been announced to be film and television production company Working Dog Productions. The ceremony is preceded by an earlier industry luncheon on 5 February 2025.

References

  1. ↑ "Better Man (15)". 16 December 2024.
  2. ↑ Debruge, Peter (2 September 2024). "Better Man Review: Robbie Williams Biopic Would Be a Snooze, but for the Wild Choice to Depict Him as a Chimp". Variety . Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  3. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (21 February 2021). "Singer Robbie Williams Biopic Ready To Rock; 'The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey Directing For Summer Shoot: Hot EFM Package". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Dalton, Ben (3 December 2021). "Robbie Williams biopic 'Better Man' to shoot in Australia in 2022". Screen Daily. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  5. ↑ Frater, Patrick (2 December 2021). "Robbie Williams Biopic 'Better Man' to Film in Australia". Variety. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  6. ↑ Shrishty (25 August 2022). "'A Better Man': Docuseries About Former Take That Member Robbie Williams Lands at Netflix". Collider. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  7. ↑ Cairns, Dan (10 September 2022). "Robbie Williams: 'Fame is only ever toxic. None of us are well-rounded'". The Times. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  8. ↑ Lee, Benjamin (11 September 2024). "Better Man review – Robbie Williams monkey biopic is a bananas gamble that pays off". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "This is the actor set to play a young Robbie Williams in his upcoming biopic 'Better Man'". Thehits.co.nz. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  10. ↑ Bumbray, Chris (11 September 2024). "Better Man (TIFF) Review: Robbie Williams played by a CGI Chimp?". JoBlo. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  11. ↑ Roberts, Kit (30 June 2022). "Robbie Williams film Better Man - latest cast and the plot details". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  12. ↑ Domjen, Briana (1 May 2022). "First pictures: Robbie Williams biopic Better Man filming in Melbourne". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  13. ↑ Rowland-Dixon, Taye (26 October 2022). "Robbie Williams at the Royal Albert Hall – Two Concerts for the Forthcoming Movie 'Better Man'". Verge Magazine. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  14. ↑ Elliott, Louise (29 March 2023). "Filming for Robbie Williams biopic Better Man as Jonno Davies takes star role". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  15. ↑ Reilly, Nick (23 February 2021). "Robbie Williams biopic from 'The Greatest Showman' director is in the works". NME. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  16. ↑ Krol, Charlotte (2 March 2021). "Robbie Williams will reportedly be portrayed by a CGI monkey in 'Better Man' biopic". NME. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  17. ↑ "Batu Sener Scores Michael Gracey's Better Man".
  18. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart 29 November 2024 - 6 December 2024". Official Charts. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  19. ↑ Jeremy Kay, "Toronto film festival adds Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Edward Burns, David Mackenzie titles". Screen Daily , 22 July 2024.
  20. ↑ Hammond, Pete (29 August 2024). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes 'Saturday Night', 'The Piano Lesson', 'Conclave' & 'Nickel Boys' World Premieres". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  21. ↑ Naman Ramachandran (11 November 2024). "Robbie Williams Film 'Better Man' to Open India's IFFI Fest, Phillip Noyce Set for Lifetime Honor". Variety . Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  22. ↑ Stephan, Katcy (28 February 2024). "'Naked Gun' Remake Set for 2025 by Paramount; 'TMNT' and 'Paw Patrol' Sequels Dated for 2026". Variety . Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  23. ↑ Frater, Patrick (30 May 2024). "Joel Pearlman to Exit Australia's Village Roadshow After 30 Year Tenure – Global Bulletin". Variety . Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  24. ↑ "Better Man". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  25. ↑ "Better Man". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  26. ↑ Barnard, Matthew (9 December 2024). "NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR 82nd ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBES®". Golden Globes. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  27. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/dec/07/aacta-awards-2025-nominations-list-robbie-williams-biopic-better-man-boy-swallows-universe
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.