I wasn’t hyped or anything about this title. To be honest, if it wasn’t for my experience in A Complete Unknown I probably wouldn’t have checked this out. WHAT A HUGE MISTAKE that’d have been if I had missed out on this experience. I won’t keep you long unless you’d like to hear more. I FUCKING LOVED THIS TITLE!. Yes, this will be PG13 / 15 Rating “Review” so be warned.
My Emotional Take
Better Man is the tale of British pop superstar Robbie Williams in his meteoric rise, dramatic fall & remarkable resurgence. I knew of Robbie Williams growing up and wasn’t all that into pop myself so although I heard this music back then. I wasn’t all that a fan but damn did those songs hit now like 20 years later hearing them.
Robbie or Robert Williams back then in 1974 was born in Stoke on Trent. A city I’d go to visit myself around his age when this movies roughly kicks off in 1982. Robbie Williams is 15 years older than I and hearing and seeing his story being told gave so much weight behind his life. The music he created and the moments in history that I heard those songs growing up.
It was mentioned at the start with Robbie Williams being British. I flipped Robbie & Robin Williams’s name all the time growing up. I LOVED! Robin Williams he’s an inspiration and idol of mine and shaped my youth. I had a life turning point around 14-16 years of age which could be why the weight of this feature, the songs and its storytelling hit me so much harder than it may others.
Honestly, it’s a shame that not many in the States will see or hear this because it’s so incredible. I was the only one in the first showing premier of this feature. INSANE! It’s incredible. Directed by Michael Gracey who did The Greatest Showman (And finding out about the sequel & the live-action NARUTO MOVIE – I’M SO HYPED AFTER SEEING THIS). This was a true spectacle.
From the incredible songs, the story and the visual choice to be a monkey? Like that of Piece by Piece choosing to have lego style. This TOTALLY! Worked. I love an underdog story and this got me in the feels.
Talk about Bow Tie endings by the way 😉 I can honestly just go on and on but go check out this feature. The last song before the last song OMFG Naruto is going to be amazing! – The last song will have you in tears of how beautiful this completed the story. From the first song to the last. This was visually and audibly breathtaking. At first I felt like an 8/10 maybe checking it out again. But by the first big song number with the Take That band I was so WoW it was in the 9’s but by the end this is in my top 10 for 2025 and will be hard to be knocked off for quite some time. WE’RE ONLY IN JANUARY FOR PEET SAKE! Incredible.
My “Review Take”
Want to hear a little more about the feature then let’s break it down:
We’re introduced to Robert Williams in 1982 in Stoke on Trent a very Chavvy place mind you. (Apologize if this is offensive but it’s mentioned at the end being a Chav). Being a Chav myself back in these days the language used was very nostalgic haha.
Inspired by the love to entertain and sing with his father, Robert’s passion to be something and make something of himself grow each and every moment in his life. When his father leaves to failing school. Robert who goes on to be named Robbie when he joins Take That was driven by so much and supported by so few.
His Nan & Mother were his greatest rocks growing up which really supported him through it all. Despite loving his Dad, his Dad wasn’t there for Robert but more so only there for Robbie. This film did an excellent job showing the viewer and audience the inner dialogue of Robbie Williams like that of Gollum from the Lord of the Rings series Smeagol.
This cinematic display of his depression and self-hate while having so many screaming fans was heart wrenching to see him go through this while pushing people away who did stand by him like his girlfriend and his only friend. This movie even offers a helpline and ways to reach out if self-harm is something you’re struggling with and need someone to be there for you.
I wondered why this was R-rated in America. Well other than the language, alcohol, drugs, nudity, and all. There’s also a raw side of depression and the depths and darkness that this path takes you. So maybe have that conversation with your children if taking them to see this title. – I mentioned this above but I’ll state it here. When the second to last song is displayed. The visuals and use of this inner struggle were insane to watch and when you see it on screen you’ll see what I mean by the hype now created to see Naruto done this way.
Totally amazing film, a must-see honestly. Even if you maybe don’t connect on the level that I did. I think the story, music, and visuals are so worth seeing and exploring. With a beautiful and emotional bow tie of an ending, this easily gets a 9/10 for me and goes up there as the first top 10 feature to kickstart 2025.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one if you plan to or now plan on checking it out. Did I overly hype this title? Learned a little more about me through this? Love to hear your thoughts. What an experience for 2025. I’m so excited to see what other hidden gems come along in 2025.
Popped! 