Better Man
Better Manis a melodious biopic focus around the spirit of Robbie Williams , but as someone whose fanbase is rivet primarily in the United Kingdom , the head of who he is for North American audiences is certainly a worthy one . Better Man ’s cast of characterstells the story of Williams , from his early living and rise to fame to the trials and trial he faced once reaching the heights of stardom . The picture show comes from director Michael Gracey , who most recently helm thecritically divisiveThe Greatest Showman .
As one of the biggermovies put out in January 2025 in domesticated markets , Better Manis incur a lot of attention . The film was released in the United Kingdom on December 26 , 2024 , given Williams ' popularity with the British public , yet American audiences may be forgive for not being mindful of the musician . Despite Williams ' overwhelming fame in the UK , the artist never crack domesticated grocery . WithBetter Man ’s positive reception marking it as one of thebest euphony biopicsin recent years , it may be worth exploring who Robbie Williams is for those unfamiliar with his study .
Robbie Williams Is The Best-Selling British Solo Artist Of All-Time With A 30+ Year Career
Williams' Fame In The UK Cannot Be Understated
Although many North American audiences may not be cognisant of Robbie Williams , there is a rationality forBetter Man ’s initiation : Williams ' vocation as a solo artist in the UK , other parts of Europe , Asia , and Australia . As of 2024 , Robbie Williams is the substantially - selling British solo artist in history where number - one albums are concerned . ViaThe Standard , Williams ' 2022 album " XXV " topped the UK charts , giving the creative person his 14th of the form , overcome Elvis Presley ’s 13 UK telephone number - one album to extend to the acclaimed milestone .
From legends like Bob Dylan to tragic figures such as Amy Winehouse , there are plenteousness of upcoming euphony biopics for viewers to get excited about .
A big constituent in Williams ' overwhelming success in the UK is also his longevity . The instrumentalist begin his calling in 1990 at the geezerhood of only 16 . Since then , Williams has embark on both a group and a solo career and is now venturing into the public of filmmaking withBetter Man ’s production . Over the past 30 + year , Williams has released many albums and single that have not dwindled in popularity with the UK ’s universe , allowing him to become the best - selling artist the state has ever seen regarding routine - one records .
Robbie Williams Was A Member Of Take That
Williams' Breakthrough Came As One Of Five
The earliest level of Williams ' life history came as a fellow member of Take That . Better Man ’s first one-half explores this part of Williams ' life , detail the aim player ’s first audition in front of a cutthroat musical manager at the untried age of 15 . After becoming successful , Williams was pair with four other young men from the UK with varying skill sets , combine to become Take That . Eventually , Take That became one of the most democratic bands of the nineties in the UK , catapult Williams and his co - members to true stardom .
The other four members of Take That were Gary Barlow , Jason Orange , Howard Donald , and Mark Owen .
While Williams was never the frontman of Take That , he was often a prominent nidus of the British public and medium due to his nonconcentric personality . This caused his own personal fame to reach levels unrivaled by the other members of Take That , save for Gary Barlow . Regardless of individual popularity , Take That is considered one of the best - selling British boy isthmus of all time . The dance orchestra is still function in the present - though only with three members after the departure of Williams himself and Jason Orange .
Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook
Robbie Williams' Music Career As A Solo Artist
Take That Was Not The Only Vehicle For Williams' Stardom
As alluded to , Robbie Williams did not last long as a member of Take That . Five age after the ring was formed , Williams confront an ultimatum from the other members : either the instrumentalist needed to reign his substance abuse in and stick to strict band rule , or Take That would become a quartette . Williams determine on the latter , by and by beginning a calling as a solo creative person . Evidently , Williams ' solo career was just as successful as his band life history , with the combined honour mix to aid the musician attain the aforementioned title of best - selling British creative person in account .
Williams released seven studio apartment album as a solo creative person after departing Take That , with each one becoming a massive achiever …
From 1996 ahead , Williams ' solo calling start . Williams released seven studio apartment albums as a solo artist after part Take That , with each one becoming a massive winner in the British market . A second stint as part of Take That came in 2010 , yet Williams ' solo life history hold on also . Between 2009 and 2022 , Williams released a further six studio apartment album , solidify his vast success as a solo artist .
Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man explores the life and career of singer Robbie Williams through his own eyes.
Robbie Williams Solo Albums
Release Date
Life thru a Lens
September 29 , 1997
I ’ve Been expect You
October 26 , 1998
babble out When You ’re Winning
August 28 , 2000
baseball swing When You ’re advance
November 19 , 2001
Escapology
November 18 , 2002
Intensive Care
October 24 , 2005
Rudebox
October 23 , 2006
realness Killed the Video Star
November 6 , 2009
Take the Crown
November 2 , 2012
Swings Both Ways
November 8 , 2013
The Heavy Entertainment Show
November 4 , 2016
The Christmas Present
November 22 , 2019
XXV
September 9 , 2022
Although Williams is mainly described as a pop artist , especially as part of Take That , the singer ’s solo life history has had a wide-ranging sound . Better Manexplores this also , with the film detail how inspired Williams was by the likes of Dean Martin , Frank Sinatra , and Sammy Davis Jr. from a young age . In his solo career , these influences can be heard much more prominently than they were in Take That . In many ways , this is likely tied to the success of Williams as a solo creative person , given that his sound could be both similar and dissimilar to Take That .
Better Man Covers Robbie Williams' True Story From 1982 To 2009
WhereBetter Manis concerned , the film covers all of these aspects of Williams ' life . Beyond his musical life history , Better Manfocuses on the ins and out of Williams ' personal living . The film begins in 1982 when Williams was only eight years old , detailing his transmissible connection , mental health conflict , his time in Take That , his find as a solo artist , and the difficulties a stratospheric rise to fame can bring .
Perhaps one of the most intriguing constituent ofBetter Manis its word-painting of Robbie Williams . Rather than hire an actor to just impersonate the instrumentalist , the decision was made to have Williams be portrayed by a CGI ape . The intellect for this stems from Williams ' purview of himself as someone who is less evolved than those around him , as well as the connotations of musicians being performing monkey for fans across the populace . InBetter Man , Williams provides the yarn for the film as well as some part acting , with English thespian Jonno Davies providing interpreter piece of work and motion seizure .
The ape was brought to sprightliness by Wētā FX , the ocular effects ship’s company founded by Peter Jackson and famed for its work on innumerous Hollywood films , includingKing Kongand the rebootedPlanet of the Apesseries .
WhileBetter Man ’s timeline is somewhat change from Williams ' tangible liveliness and naturally has some dramatized elements , the film does an splendid job of portraying the instrumentalist ’s life . The film is oft hard - hitting due to its exploration of Robbie Williams ' genial wellness issues and nitty-gritty abuse , and how all of that tie to his incredibly successful career . Despite many in the UK already being secluded to this tale , audiences in the Americas probably did not love the trial and visitation , nor even the true success , of Robbie Williams , makingBetter Maneven more intriguing as a musical biopic .
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Cast
direct by Michael Gracey , Better Man explores the life-time and career of Isaac Bashevis Singer Robbie Williams through his own eyes .