Better Man: Robbie Williams’ Life as a CGI Monkey

In the world of music biopics, it’s not often that a star’s story is told through the lens of a CGI monkey. Yet, Robbie Williams, the British pop icon, is doing exactly that in Better Man a bold, innovative film that explores his journey from boyband stardom to solo success and personal struggles.

Directed by Michael Gracey, the visionary behind The Greatest Showman , Better Man presents Robbie’s turbulent life in a way that is both surprising and deeply emotional.

The film’s decision to portray Robbie as a motion-capture monkey has caught the attention of fans and critics alike, making this biopic unlike any other.

This article explores Better Man , a biopic of Robbie Williams portrayed as a CGI monkey, highlighting his rise to fame, personal struggles, and the film’s innovative storytelling .

The Concept Behind Better Man

One of the most striking elements of Better Man is the choice to depict Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey through motion-capture technology. This decision is not just a quirky artistic choice but one that reflects the inner complexities of Robbie’s life and career.

Rather than portraying him in a straightforward biopic format, Better Man uses the CGI monkey to symbolize Robbie’s internal struggles, self-perceptions, and the ways he has navigated the highs and lows of fame.

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The film’s motion-capture technology, spearheaded by Jonno Davies, helps bring this unconventional version of Robbie to life.

Davies’ extensive experience with motion capture allows for an expressive and dynamic representation of the artist, turning a seemingly absurd concept into something poignant and symbolic.

Robbie himself voices the CGI monkey, bringing his personality, wit, and charm into the character. This personal touch adds layers of authenticity and humor to a project that is, in many ways, a reflection of Robbie’s sense of self.

Why a Monkey? Symbolism in Better Man

The use of a monkey as the central character is a brilliant and layered choice. Monkeys are often associated with traits like curiosity, mischief, and playfulness, all of which resonate with Robbie Williams’ personality and career .

At the same time, monkeys can represent a sense of alienation just as Robbie, despite his fame, has often spoken about feeling isolated and disconnected from those around him.

The choice also echoes Robbie’s time in Take That, where he felt trapped in the manufactured pop world, much like a monkey in a cage. Moreover, the monkey can be seen as a metaphor for Robbie’s transformation over the years.

From being the cheeky, rebellious member of Take That to his solo career and eventual battles with addiction, mental health, and the pressures of stardom, the monkey becomes a mirror for Robbie’s evolution. For a fun take on Better Man , you can check this Reddit thread .

Robbie Williams’ Meteoric Rise to Fame

The Better Man biopic chronicles the life of Robbie Williams in an unconventional manner, but it does not shy away from highlighting the key moments that defined his career.

Born Robert Peter Williams on February 13, 1974, in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Robbie’s career began in the early 1990s when he joined the boyband Take That. The group quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most successful pop acts in the UK.

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However, after four years of unprecedented success, Robbie’s departure from Take That in 1995 was one of the most dramatic moments in British pop history. The decision to leave the group, at the height of its popularity, was not without controversy.

While his bandmates continued their careers without him, Robbie went on to forge an even more successful solo career, marked by a string of chart-topping hits and a distinctive blend of pop, rock, and electronic influences .

A Solo Superstar

After his departure from Take That, Robbie Williams faced the challenge of establishing himself as a solo artist. His debut album, Life Thru a Lens (1997), catapulted him to stardom with the smash hit Angels .

The song became an anthem, and Robbie’s career seemed unstoppable. His second album, I’ve Been Expecting You (1998), solidified his position as a pop superstar, with hits like Millennium and No Regrets .

Despite his commercial success, Robbie struggled with personal demons, including substance abuse and mental health issues.

These struggles were often at odds with his public image as a charming, cheeky pop star. The film delves deeply into these challenges, showing how the pressures of fame took a toll on Robbie’s mental well-being.

The Role of Mental Health and Addiction in Better Man

One of the defining themes of Better Man is the exploration of Robbie’s mental health and addiction. While many biopics gloss over or simplify the struggles that artists face, Better Man takes a more nuanced approach to Robbie’s issues.

Robbie Williams has long been open about his battles with depression, anxiety, and addiction. In interviews, he has described feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of being in the public eye and constantly living under a microscope.

Better Man tackles these issues head-on, showing how Robbie’s rise to fame was not just about success but about the internal turmoil that often accompanied it.

The film explores his struggles with alcohol and prescription drugs, particularly during the early years of his solo career. At the same time, it also portrays his attempts to find balance, from his decision to go to rehab to his eventual path to recovery.

This journey is depicted with sensitivity, showing the complexity of addiction and the ongoing battle that many artists face with their mental health .

By portraying these struggles through the lens of a CGI monkey, the film emphasizes the idea that Robbie’s challenges were often misunderstood or minimized by the public.

Career Comparison: Robbie Williams vs. Take That

To understand Robbie’s solo journey, it’s important to look at his career in comparison to Take That’s trajectory. While Take That achieved massive success in the early ’90s, their breakup in 1996 allowed Robbie to carve out his unique path in the music world.

Point of View	Take That (Pre-1996)	Robbie Williams (Post-1996)
Fame & Popularity	One of the UK’s biggest pop groups	Became a global solo superstar
Musical Style	Pop, Dance-Pop	Pop, Rock, Electronic, Alternative
Key Hits	Back for Good, Relight My Fire	Angels, Rock DJ, Feel
Public Image	Boyband heartthrob	Rebel, Iconoclast, Confessional Artist
Struggles	Public perception as just another boyband	Addiction, Mental Health, Media Scrutiny
Resilience	Successful reunion in 2006	Overcame addiction, continued success

This comparison highlights how Robbie’s transition from boyband member to solo artist was marked by dramatic shifts in style and personal evolution.

While Take That experienced success as a group, Robbie’s solo career was defined by his ability to push boundaries and evolve musically, even when faced with adversity. For more detailed information on Robbie Williams’ life and career, you can check his Biography .

Conclusion

• Robbie Williams’ career is as complex as it is inspiring, with moments of great triumph and personal struggle.
• Better Mancaptures these contrasts through its unique portrayal of Robbie as a CGI monkey, emphasizing both the humor and pain in his journey.
• The film delves deeply into the emotional and psychological impact of fame, using motion capture technology to express Robbie’s internal battles.
• With a star-studded cast and visionary direction from Michael Gracey, Better Man promises to be one of the most memorable music biopics of the decade.
• Robbie Williamshas proven time and time again that his resilience and creativity define his legacy, making Better Man a fitting tribute to an icon.

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