When I read this movie being described on social media last week, I thought it was a joke. At least outside of the US, Robbie Williams is a genuine popstar, but also the butt of a lot of jokes. Talented as hell, with sometimes an ego to match. Thanks to a somewhat obsessed coworker back in my teaching days, I also came to admire his work.
And this — a biopic in which Williams portrays himself as a trained chimpanzee? Like Rocket Man, it’s doing something I love about movies — taking an imaginative risk to be about more than just a biography. If you have the chance to be theatrical, BE THEATRICAL!
I’m in. Also, for those who need to be warned — Better Man is probably a musical.
Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s 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.
Paramount Pictures and Sina Studios and Facing East Entertainment Present
A Lost Bandits / Footloose Production
In Association with Azure Centrum / Partizan Films / Rocket Science / RPW Productions / VicScreen
A Michael Gracey Film
BETTER MAN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Zhe Chen, Robbie Williams, Markus Barmettler,Philip Lee, Li-Wei Chu, Michael Loney, Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Mark Williams, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Klaudia Smieja, David Ravel, Domenic Benvenuto, Gianni Benvenuto, Zoran Stojkovic, Dean Hood, David Conley, Daniel Fluri, Adrian Grabe, Andres Kernen, Slava Vladimirov, Jared Underwood, Andrew Robinson
PRODUCED BY
Paul Currie, p.g.a., Michael Gracey, p.g.a., Coco Xiaolu Ma, Jules Daly, Craig McMahon
WRITTEN BY
Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
DIRECTED BY
Michael Gracey
STARRING
Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, Anthony Hayes
