KSL Movie Show review: ‘Better Man’ is an extraordinary, bizarre and fitting biography

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY — British pop singer Robbie Williams – not exactly a household name here in the States, but a voice of a generation in his native England. The director of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, Michael Gracey, wanted to make another musical biopic and thought Williams would be a perfect subject—only he had a unique idea that he wasn’t sure Robbie would go along with.

Gracey first asked Robbie what he thought his spirit animal might be. Robbie suggested a lion. Gracey didn’t think that truly reflected Robbie’s personality, so he asked for an alternative. Robbie then said, he had always felt like “a performing monkey” for his adoring fans. Gracey said that’s it!

Thus, you will see a gorgeous examination of Williams’ professional music and life experiences, only portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee with CGI. Actor Jonno Davies handles the performance using motion capture, while the voice work is done by both Davies and Williams. Williams also acts as the film’s narrator.

So this much I know without a doubt.

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Your enjoyment of this musical, will rely heavily on your ability to look beyond the chimp persona and focus on the art. If you can do that, you’ll be handsomely rewarded. If you cannot and see it only as a distraction, it’s going to be a long 135 minutes.

And maybe this will help.

Williams struggled with issues of self-esteem and depression. His father Peter was a frustrated singer who longed to be the next Sinatra. So much so, that when Robbie was a young man, dear old dad ran off, changed his name to Peter Conway and became a second-rate lounge singer and emcee. Robbie idolized his father, felt they were both cut from the same cloth, but was heartbroken when dad disappeared. Only Robbie’s mom and his sweetheart of a grandmother, Betty, knew that the boy had a special gift and did their best to nurture it. Robbie’s emerging ego did the rest.

Yet, every time he turned around through the early successes with the boyband TAKE THAT and later with a burgeoning solo career, he would envision his inner demons glaring at him from within the boisterous crowds, frowning and shaking their heads in disbelief. You’re a phony, Robbie. You can’t fool us.

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As a result, these negative self-reflections sent him into alcohol, drugs and on the edge of suicide. All of these raw emotions are projected honestly throughout this powerful film and director Michael Gracey does a magnificent job bringing the good, the bad and the ugly together to create this extraordinary, bizarre and fitting biography.

It’s something they all can be proud of – in spite of the monkey business that threatens to take control. That control will be left up to you. Do with it what you will.

BETTER MAN (B+) Rated R for drug use, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some violent content.  Featuring Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvany, Damon Herriman and Raechelle Banno. Co-written, produced and directed by Michael Gracey (“The Greatest Showman” “Pink: All I Know So Far”) – filmed in Australia, Serbia and Regent Street in London. Running time: 135 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.