Better Man, 2024 - ★★★★½
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Do not confuse fame with love. Fame will not hold you at night; it only pulls you into the spotlight, parading you around until you forget the feeling of a restful night. The warmth of the spotlight can never replace the warmth of someone's embrace.
Better Man is one of the best biographical musical films I have ever watched. I love Rocketman, but Better Man is equally impressive, if not more so in some aspects. The film pushes the boundaries of the genre and medium in every aspect—cinematography, visual effects, editing, musical score, choreography, and storytelling. The depth and intention behind each decision add profound layers of meaning and purpose. The director, Michael Gracey, clearly possesses a vision for the story he wants to tell and knows how to engage the audience effectively. In my opinion, this film serves as a masterclass in filmmaking and storytelling.
The film portrays Robbie Williams' struggles to find his authentic self amidst abandonment issues buried by his rising fame, which affected his mental health and led him down a path of addiction and self-sabotage. It offers a raw and depressing depiction of his mental state throughout his life, despite an exterior that may appear appealing.
"Fame is so fucking weird isn't it? It's like that uneasy feeling you get when they bring the cake out and the whole restaurant sings Happy Birthday to you and you can't wait until Happy Birthday stops being sung."
Every aspect of this movie is carefully crafted to serve the narrative in a way that exceeds my expectations.
First, the creative choice to use a chimpanzee to portray Robbie Williams is executed brilliantly. It effectively illustrates how Williams perceives himself as a performer—a metaphorical monkey on display, seemingly less evolved than humans. This choice cleverly captures the concept of being paraded for entertainment. Initially, the audience sees him solely as a chimpanzee, moving erratically. However, as the story unfolds, we begin to understand his true essence and aspirations.
"They say your life freezes at the age you become famous. So I’m fifteen. I’m stunted. I’m unevolved."
Second, the visual effects are top-notch, with a seamless blend of reality and fantasy, combined with spectacular cinematography and choreography, resulting in an exceptional experience in visual storytelling. The main character appears as a chimpanzee dressed in fancy clothing, performing musical numbers and interacting with a crowd, displaying erratic yet distinctly human behaviors and expressions. Throughout the entire film! Let the fact sink in for a moment before arguing that it doesn't deserve praise for visual effects.
Third, the musical numbers are beautifully crafted with thematic links to his life rather than merely appealing to music fans. It is a joy when songs drive the narrative effectively. The way his songs blend and are recontextualized within the narrative is flawless. Each song serves a distinct purpose, propelling the story forward in a magical way. This film features so many great tracks that I did not want to choose favorites. The score and songs blend seamlessly, creating a cohesive musical piece integral to the hero’s journey in a powerful and entertaining manner.
But the aspect I found most impressive was the editing. Every cut is intentional, building the narrative and visualizing his emotional state while engaging and entertaining the audience in a way rarely seen in other films. This is truly cinema. This meticulous approach results in a masterpiece of filmmaking and storytelling. However, the film does not appear pretentious; it tells the story in a way that captivates and entertains a broad audience effectively. A great film does not need to be difficult to watch; it simply needs to convey a compelling story. In my opinion, Better Man succeeds in every aspect.