Better Man (2024) Movie Review

ROBBIE WILLIAMS – WHY THE MONKEY?

Robbie Williams, the renowned British pop singer, has had a dynamic career marked by both significant achievements and personal challenges. His biographical film, Better Man, takes a distinctive approach by portraying Williams as a CGI monkey throughout the narrative. This creative choice serves as a metaphor for his experiences in the entertainment industry and his personal struggles

Williams has often described his feelings of being treated like a "performing monkey," highlighting the pressures and objectification that can accompany fame. By representing himself as a monkey in the film, Williams aims to convey the sense of dehumanization he felt during his rise to stardom. 

Director Michael Gracey elaborated on this decision, noting that portraying Williams as a monkey allows audiences to empathize with his experiences more deeply. Gracey explained that viewers tend to feel more compassion watching animals suffer, making the metaphor an effective tool to depict Williams's internal struggles and vulnerabilities 

The use of a CGI monkey also serves to distinguish between Williams's public persona and his private self. This visual representation underscores the theme of isolation and the dichotomy between the entertainer seen by the world and the individual behind the scenes

In essence, the depiction of Robbie Williams as a monkey in Better Man is a deliberate artistic choice that encapsulates his feelings of being objectified and the broader commentary on the nature of celebrity. This metaphor invites viewers to reflect on the personal costs of fame and the human experience behind the public image.

BETTER MAN is out now! 

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