Better Man (2024)
7.7 /10
232 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
Follow Robbie Williams' journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Robbie Williams (voice)
... Robbie Williams
... Peter
... Betty
... Janet
User reviews
There's something about the use of the monkey to characterise Robbie Williams that makes this quite a visceral watch at times. The film tells the story of the fairly turbulent rise of this "Take That" singer from boyhood exponent of Gilbert and Sullivan to a man on the right end of an £80 millions record deal. His dad (Steve Pemberton) went off to a football match whilst he was a child and never came back, and that left him with his mum "Janet" (Kate Mulvany) and adoring nan (Alison Steadman) living a pretty much hand to mouth existence and leaving him with a pretty solid foundation for his later emotional and trust issues. Unless you've lived on the moon these last twenty years, then you'll know much of what happens next. What does make this stand out a little more is the fact that Williams himself is behind the project and is in no way afraid to portray himself as a complete ass. His drink, drugs, tantrums and generally spoilt brattishness are laid bare with little, if any, attempt to sanitise. In some ways it reminded me of the recent "Amy" biopic and came hot on the heels of a recent viewing of "Easter Parade" (1948) with both serving, for completely different reasons, to augment the thrust of this story of a person who attained great stardom, success and wealth - and ultimately ended up with addictions galore and few, real, friends amidst a sea of hangers-on and parasites all too eager to selfishly cash in on the fame of a lad who started aged just fifteen. Of course it's not exactly balanced, and I'm sure the gospel according to Robbie might not be quite how others see their own behaviour (or his) but there is an honesty to this that brings home just how ruthless the music business is and at just how fickle fame can be when those we idolise lose their lustre. It doesn't do it any harm that many of his solo songs work well through big screen audio with some classy string arrangements and powerful vocals to remind us that, unlike many of the largely forgotten "Take That" singles, his music - especially the stuff he made with Guy Chambers - is the stuff we will really long remember. It's not for the faint hearted, but still well worth a watch.
Director:
Writer:
Michael Gracey (Writer)
Simon Gleeson (Writer)
Oliver Cole (Writer)
Jory Anast (Story Consultant)
Release Date:
2024-12-06
Run Time:
136 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
Better Man
There's something about the use of the monkey to characterise Robbie Williams that makes this quite a visceral watch at times. The film tells the story of the fairly turbulent rise of this "Take That" singer from boyhood exponent of Gilbert and Sullivan to a man on the right end of an £80 millions record deal. His dad (Steve Pemberton) went off to a football match whilst he was a child and never came back, and that left him with his mum "Janet" (Kate Mulvany) and adoring nan (Alison Steadman) living a pretty much hand to mouth existence and leaving him with a pretty solid foundation for his later emotional and trust issues. Unless you've lived on the moon these last twenty years, then you'll know much of what happens next. What does make this stand out a little more is the fact that Williams himself is behind the project and is in no way afraid to portray himself as a complete ass. His drink, drugs, tantrums and generally spoilt brattishness are laid bare with little, if any, attempt to sanitise. In some ways it reminded me of the recent "Amy" biopic and came hot on the heels of a recent viewing of "Easter Parade" (1948) with both serving, for completely different reasons, to augment the thrust of this story of a person who attained great stardom, success and wealth - and ultimately ended up with addictions galore and few, real, friends amidst a sea of hangers-on and parasites all too eager to selfishly cash in on the fame of a lad who started aged just fifteen. Of course it's not exactly balanced, and I'm sure the gospel according to Robbie might not be quite how others see their own behaviour (or his) but there is an honesty to this that brings home just how ruthless the music business is and at just how fickle fame can be when those we idolise lose their lustre. It doesn't do it any harm that many of his solo songs work well through big screen audio with some classy string arrangements and powerful vocals to remind us that, unlike many of the largely forgotten "Take That" singles, his music - especially the stuff he made with Guy Chambers - is the stuff we will really long remember. It's not for the faint hearted, but still well worth a watch.
Cast & Crew of
Better Man
Cast
... Robbie Williams (voice)
... Robbie Williams
... Peter
... Betty
... Janet
... Nate
... Nigel Martin-Smith
... Nicole Appleton
... Guy Chambers
... Gary Barlow
... Howard Donald
... Jason Orange
... Mark Owen
... Chris Briggs
... Michael Parkinson
... Liam Gallagher
... Noel Gallagher
... Young Robbie
... Young Robbie
... Young Gary
... Young Nate
... Young Nate
... Candice
... Finley
... Guidance Counsellor
... Melissa
... TV Host
... Declan
... Stacey
... Record Company Executive
... Rehab Patient
... Rehab Therapist
... Natalie Appleton
... Shaznay Lewis
... Melanie Blatt
... All Saints Label Executive
... Tom Jones
... Viv Nicholson
... Manchester Young Boy
... Crystal
... Salsa Boy
... Terry Swinton
... Terry Swinton Pianist
... Elderly Woman with Rose
... Golden Hills Publican
... Theatre Pianist
... Model Agency Assistant
... Manchester Male Dancer / Robbie Dance Double / "Rock DJ" Dancer
... Dance Studio Choreographer
... La Cage Young Man
... La Cage Clubber
... La Cage DJ
... DJ Sexton
... DJ Jen
... Reporter
... Door Woman
... Schoolboy
... Schoolboy
... Schoolboy
... Posh Man
... Suit Shop Man
... Cement Worker
... Cement Worker
... Elderly Couple
... Elderly Couple
... Yuppie Man / "Rock DJ" Dancer
... Customer
... Mother
... Daughter
... Manchester Complex Stagehand
... Manchester Complex Nurse
... Butler
... Fan - Flasher
... Fan - Flasher
... Female Model
... Groucho Club Woman
... Holiday Punter
... Martin
... Robbie's Entourage
... Robbie's Entourage
... Robbie's Entourage
... Robbie's Entourage
... Columbia Hotel Woman
... Columbia Hotel Woman
... Columbia Hotel Woman
... Columbia Hotel Woman
... Robbie Alternate
... Robbie Dance Double
... Young Robbie Dance Double
... Young Robbie Dance Double
... Betty Picture Double
... Peter Picture Double
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... Kids Theatre Ensemble
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer / "Land of 1000 Dances" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer / "Land of 1000 Dances" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer / "Land of 1000 Dances" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Rock DJ" Dancer
... "Land of 1000 Dances" Dancer
Crew
... Supervising Art Director
... Writer
... Director of Photography
... Writer
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Fight Choreographer
... Editor
... Director
... Songs
... Executive Producer
... Original Music Composer
... Production Design
... Set Decoration
... Costume Design
... Line Producer
... Unit Production Manager
... Producer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Casting
... Casting
... Writer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Associate Producer
... Production Secretary
... Set Decoration
... Set Decoration
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Editor
... Editor
... Editor
... Editor
... Choreographer
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Second Assistant Director
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Drone Pilot
... Lighting Design
... Story Consultant
... Chef
... Catering Head Chef
... Chef
... Assistant Art Director
... Assistant Art Director
... Set Designer
... Art Direction
... Set Dresser
... Set Designer
... Set Designer
... Set Dresser
... Set Dresser
... Executive Music Producer
... Music Supervisor
... Casting
... First Assistant Director
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Associate Producer
... Associate Producer
... Associate Producer
... Associate Producer
... Associate Producer
... Associate Producer
... Production Supervisor
... Second Unit Director
... Post Production Producer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Supervising Music Editor
... Sound Supervisor
... Sound Designer
... Sound Designer
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... ADR Supervisor
... ADR Editor
... Foley Editor
... Foley Mixer
... Foley Artist
... Foley Artist
... Music Editor
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... "A" Camera Operator
... "B" Camera Operator
... Additional Camera
... Steadicam Operator
... Additional Camera
... Steadicam Operator
... Additional Camera
... Steadicam Operator
... First Assistant "A" Camera
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... Second Assistant "A" Camera
... Second Assistant "B" Camera
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Gaffer
... Script Supervisor
... Boom Operator
... Boom Operator
... Key Grip
... Best Boy Grip
... Costume Supervisor
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Production Sound Mixer
... Utility Sound
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Concept Artist
... Graphic Designer
... Storyboard Artist
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Property Master
... Property Master
... Art Department Coordinator
... Construction Foreman
... Dressing Prop
... Graphic Designer
... Storyboard Artist
... Graphic Designer
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Graphic Designer
... Set Dresser
... Storyboard Artist
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Set Decorating Coordinator
... Key Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Designer
... Creative Consultant
... Storyboard Artist
... Storyboard Artist
... Storyboard Artist
... Storyboard Artist
... Concept Artist
... Concept Artist
... Assistant Property Master
... Animation
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Still Photographer
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Sequence Supervisor
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