A new movie premiering next month offers a creative depiction of British pop star Robbie Williams’ life and career. “Better Man” uses computer-generated imagery to portray Williams as a monkey throughout the film. Director Michael Gracey hopes this unconventional approach will capture Williams’ energy and larger-than-life personality.
The film opens at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9. It follows Williams’ journey from his early days in the band Take That to his successful solo career. Actor Jonno Davies performs the role of Williams, with his movements and facial expressions translated into the CGI monkey. Davies explained that conveying Williams’ lively stage presence and humor posed an interesting challenge. Multiple cameras also recorded each take to allow flexibility in editing scenes together.
Gracey, known for directing “The Greatest Showman,” drew inspiration from Williams comparing himself to a performing monkey. Motion capture technology and visual effects experts at Wētā Workshop brought the monkey portrayal to life. Their collaboration let Gracey experiment with innovative filming techniques. Scenes developed through constantly refining Davies’ performances in post-production.
Production faced difficulties, like delays after Queen Elizabeth’s death disrupted London shooting. But Gracey remained committed to accurately portraying key moments and interactions from Williams’ perspective. The movie also gives an unflinching look at his relationships with other music industry figures. Audiences will see the complex artist’s unusual biography presented in a thought-provoking new format when “Better Man” hits U.S. theaters on December 25, then expands January 17. By fusing visuals with personal storytelling, Gracey aims to capture Williams’ essence in a boundary-pushing cinematic experience.
