The biopic Better Man has entered cinemas to much anticipation, bringing to life the fascinating and tumultuous story of British pop icon Robbie Williams through the lens of innovative CGI. The film, which premiered on Boxing Day 2024, takes quite the creative leap by casting Williams as a CGI chimpanzee, a choice director Michael Gracey explains reflects the star’s own description of himself as a 'performing monkey' throughout his career.
From the get-go, it’s clear this film is unlike traditional biopics. Williams, voiced and performed by actor Jonno Davies through advanced motion capture technology, leads the narrative with his unmistakable vocal charisma. Notably, Williams himself provides the voice for all musical numbers and narrates the film, seamlessly blending his essence with the animated portrayal.
Creating the digital version of Williams was no easy feat. Davies, who donned the performance capture suit equipped with numerous markers for facial expression capture, worked closely with visual effects company Weta Workshop, renowned for their groundbreaking techniques from Avatar and Planet of the Apes. Their mission: to develop the animatronic Williams so he could truly embody some of the singer's most iconic performances.
Gracey noted, “The animators created a digital version of Robbie as they had all of this footage of Robbie himself to incorporate. So it ended up being this beautiful hybrid where we could bring the real Robbie Williams when we needed to.” The result is jaw-dropping—a CGI character who reflects the nuances of Williams, from his energetic movements on stage to his more contemplative moments off it.
Of course, other prominent characters from Williams' life are layered within the film’s narrative. Supporting roles feature actors portraying members of the legendary band Take That, including Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow and Liam Head as Howard Donald. Raychelle Banno, known for her work on the long-running soap opera Home and Away, plays Nicole Appleton, another key figure intertwined with Williams' story.
Interestingly, the portrayal of the notorious Gallagher brothers—Liam and Noel from Oasis—adds another dimension. Williams expressed anticipation around how their depiction would be received, particularly Liam’s reaction. “I think there’ll be a bit of him that's happy he exists in it,” Williams joked. He noted the film takes creative liberties, emphasizing, “there’s nothing there that's not common knowledge.”
Behind the visual spectacle, there were challenges aplenty for the production team. A particularly ambitious sequence set on London’s Regent Street highlighted this struggle. Originally slated for six nights of shooting, plans shifted dramatically following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, leading to significant delays. “We had to wait for the King to be coronated,” Davies recalled. “So about six months later, we finally managed to get onto Regent Street.”
Before the cameras rolled, Davies immersed himself deeply in studying Williams—his mannerisms, movements, and voice—a detail he cited as integral to his portrayal. “I grew up with him, I went to watch him in concert as a nine-year-old,” he shared. His preparation ignited new interpretative dimensions, showcasing Williams' lighthearted public persona juxtaposed with more vulnerable, introspective moments.
The film’s unique CG portrayal of Williams communicates his multidimensional character, bringing fresh narrative angles. “We wanted to say something about how Rob sees himself, it's not how other people see Rob,” Davies explained. “It’s about having the confidence, but knowing sometimes it is a false confidence.” This perspective adds depth to the whimsical choice to render Williams as a chimp, enabling richer storytelling opportunities.
Will the CGI rendition of Williams resonate with fans and newcomers alike? That's yet to be fully seen as audiences flock to theaters. The anticipation around how the film paints the complex relationships within Williams' life—including his tumultuous connection with the Gallagher brothers—stirs curiosity. Williams himself hopes for appreciation, commenting on how both he and Liam have matured since their earlier conflicts: “The people we were are different people than we are now.”
Shifting perspectives and storytelling methods herald Better Man as a groundbreaking venture for biopics, marking it as one to watch. With the marriage of CGI and authentic vocal performances, the film promises to deliver both nostalgia and innovation to the cinematic experience.
According to Davies, this unique depiction might be what distinguishes Better Man from its predecessors. “There are little things like the mic flip... the way he works the crowd,” Davies said, emphasizing how he aimed to emulate Williams' ability to engage and entertain. “It was about them having the best night of their life,” he concluded, effectively defining what the spirit of the film aims to achieve.
