Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Better Man’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jonno Davies as “Robbie Williams" in BETTER MAN from Paramount Pictures. | © 2023 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

One particular staple of the motion picture landscape that is a bit stale in this day and age, is the biographical feature. Simply because so many of them now, especially musically themed ones… follow a supremely similar trajectory. Wherein we meet a famous musician we know, love, and have listened to for hours on end, and watch their meteoric rise to fame take place. Complete with montages and moments we know took place, before watching them struggle and battle to maintain success and sanity before they find peace, more success or reach the end of their lives and well, while that does indeed offer up a comprehensive look at a life, there is a lot left on the table with these particular films.
​
Some of them for instance, sugar coat the darkest aspects of our musical heroes, while others just breeze through all of that. Which doesn’t really give the viewer an understanding of what they went through and why, just that they experienced a moment and really, understanding is what we lack from these films. For they just don’t dig into the person that made so many happy and what really makes them tick. Leaving all of us to wonder, if the musical biographical feature can be saved or refreshed so that perhaps it can cover new territory… or finally explore elements about music stars that we all want to know. Such as what success made them feel, what the struggles of fame are truly like for a person and how they beat some of the hardships they faced, without the use of a montage and clever plot devices.

Well as it turns out, yes, there is still hope for this type of film, as evidenced by the latest release from Paramount Pictures, Better Man. Which is a musical biographical feature that explores the life and career of Pop Superstar, Robbie Williams. Wherein we learn about Robbie’s early days of fame as a member of the hit boy band, Take That, before he branched out to become a solo artist. One who struggled with fame, with drugs and with depression and that brought him to several low points in his life and a fight to find peace and happiness, with both him and his career. Which at first glance, is a plot summary that likely raises your eyebrows. Since that seems like the same old formula that we’ve seen time and time again, making this movie another cog in the wheel of biopics. But that’s just it, while there are elements of this type of story that are inescapable, how they are explored and expressed here, is what makes this such a refreshing feature.

---

For instance, Robbie is seen in the film, as a walking, talking chimpanzee. Partly because he claims himself to be ‘less evolved’ in the film, but from a metaphorical standpoint, it’s clear that this is how Robbie views himself as a person. As an outsider of sorts, someone who stands out for the wrong reasons, and that alone is something new for these films and it sets the tone for a vastly different type of story. One that truly takes its time in telling Robbie’s story. Which means the big moments that happen aren’t quite as rushed, they take time to linger regarding the psychological impact upon Robbie and others, and it allows for us to really explore what he was feeling in that moment. Giving rise to the most thoughtful feature in this vein to date, and what’s incredible is that its wonder extends beyond a more careful understanding of a life with a jarring visual twist.
​
Because this is a feature that also… really explores the emotional impact of fame and the stresses that stars really face. And it does so in a shockingly frank manner. Through moments where we see Robbie actually struggle with nerves in a way that is relatable and where we truly see the demons that chase him and haunt him, and how hard they are to silence at times. Which may in turn, relate to why so many artists turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with them. But what matters most, is that this is the most human and raw presentation of such matters in this type of film and it refreshing to find here. Since it opens up conversations about mental health, our relationship with fame and notoriety and how we sometimes forget that those who entertain us are still people, who struggle with imposter syndrome and anxiety and more, like the rest of us.

All of which gives rise to a magnificent biographical feature. One that offers up a complete and fulfilling journey that feels authentic instead of stylized and of course… still manages to entertain. Since many of Robbie’s biggest hits are featured here, in a manner that is as bombastic as Robbie himself and all of these elements bring together a must-watch feature. Because this one has something for everyone. For instance, if you’re a fan of movies in this vein, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. The one that breaks the mold, and if you’re a fan of cinema in general, there’s so much here to feast upon visually. But above all, this is just a supremely relatable and powerful, and downright inspiring story. About a man eager to find peace through his calling.

---