Better Man - Movie Review

While ‘Better Man’ maintains a biographical slant it mixes reality and imagination in the story of British pop singer Robbie Williams. It describes his efforts and achievements starting from the peaks of his work life and quick declines to the quiet phases of his private life. This gives a close relationship between Williams and his family and gives a snapshot of the man behind the music. Drama is interwoven with fairy-tale motifs; this biographical movie brings a number of surprises to the audience.

There are such themes as fame, family, and redemption presented in the movie vividly. It includes details about the nature of Williams’ relationships with and without his family members, including his mother, father and grandmother. The tone is thus, somewhat philosophical and at the same time mimics the playfulness and the hardness of stardom. In terms of the portrayal of S Club’s saccharine figure of the ‘better man’, S bins it and this docudrama brings the sensation of being a ‘better man’ right, retaining the feeling of highs and lows of a superstar’s life.

It is perhaps delightful or unsurprising that Robbie Williams, who stars in the docudrama, delivers his performance with utmost rawness. Davies, Jonno perfectly captures the young, charismatic, but angsty Williams in his early years. Solid backing of Steve Pemberton and Alison Steadman in supporting roles and portraying family members gives the character solidity and sensibility of the depicted relations.

‘Better Man’ is the director Michael Gracey’s biopic of the male, that goes way beyond the storyline and painting experience. Gracey’s direction takes the audience into an intricate balance of reality with a touch of fantasy and delivers an extremely energetic performance that challenges the intellect. Especially noteworthy is the story’s structure and creative visualization through elements of fantasy; this is where Gracey shines as a filmmaker.

It should also be noted music, which, along with the songs of the British singer Robbie Williams, and specially composed scores, wonderfully enhances the film. Not only does music play the role of background score but it also gets to embody the feelings of those key scenes in ‘Better Man’ and help the story soar to new heights.

Cinematography in ‘Better Man’ is impressive, with focus on bright colors and effective use of the camera to support the heightened emotions of the story. Shooting:Lighting and perspective gives a real feel of the complexity of Williams life as it depicts the colourful side of pop stardom, and the sombre, more personal, scenes. Each period has been depicted to the smallest detail, so the transition through time is credible and interesting.

There are quite realistic effects added to fantastical scenes which makes them more surreal and appropriate for a fairy tale telling more about people than effects. It serves to re- emphasize the themes of the movie and to add to over all enjoyment of the film.

The transition between story lines is smooth and is a direct result of well edited film. The shifts between real life and imaginary sequences are done great, not to undermine the audience’s interest, and making the movie stay truthful to the plot.

The stylistic approach of ’Better Man’ is kinematic and paced; it alternates spiritual scenes with edgy routines. A similar dynamic of the film is established in tune with the oscillations of pop star’s life, which continues to hold the interest of viewers to the end.

As for dialogue of ‘Better Man,’ it is both humorous and touching, which allows seeing Williams’ personality and his attitude to the people who are important for him. It is amusing and silly at the same time which I think only adds to the emotional impact of this film.

At the same time, ‘Better Man’ skillfully interweaves fiction and facts, but sometimes it is quite defeated by the fantastic part of the story. Certain sections of the audience may feel that these episodes disrupt the flow while others are expected to have a more realistic perspective in a biographical film. Also, it could analyze the lesser revealed aspects of Williams’ life beyond the actuality and get into the head of the singer. In this respect, it seems as if Mrs. John Bennet and her daughter are celebrating Robbie Williams’ life – the highs and the lows of it and everything that comes in between. This performance art of music and drama accompanied by fantasies is moving both physically and mentally thus leaving an imprint of what it entails to better be a ‘better man’.