theguardian.com
Better Man: A Chimpanzee's Tale of Robbie Williams
Better Man" is a Robbie Williams biopic directed by Michael Gracey that uses a CGI chimpanzee to represent Williams, exploring his childhood, career, relationships, and struggles with substance abuse and fame.
- How does "Better Man" address the common tropes of rock biopics, and what techniques does it employ to differentiate itself?
- The film's use of a CGI chimpanzee allows for a humorous and self-aware exploration of Williams's complex relationship with fame. By portraying Williams as a chimpanzee, the movie highlights the performative aspects of his celebrity while simultaneously adding a layer of vulnerability and emotional honesty to his struggles. This approach successfully avoids the clichés common in rock biopics.
- What is the central creative decision in "Better Man", and how does it impact the film's overall effectiveness and potential for audience engagement?
- Better Man", a Robbie Williams biopic directed by Michael Gracey, uses a CGI chimpanzee to represent Williams, a creative choice that enhances the film's emotional impact. The film covers Williams's childhood, career, and personal struggles, including his relationship with Nicole Appleton and the death of his grandmother. The unusual visual approach transforms a potentially generic rock biopic into a unique and engaging experience.
- What potential influence might "Better Man's" unconventional approach to biographical storytelling have on future biopic filmmaking, and what are the broader implications of this approach?
- Gracey's direction marks a departure from his previous work, "The Greatest Showman", demonstrating a move towards more emotionally raw and vulnerable storytelling. The film's unconventional representation of Williams suggests a potential trend in biopic filmmaking—using creative visual techniques to explore the internal struggles of its subjects. This method offers a more nuanced and potentially cathartic experience for both the subject and the audience.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing centers heavily on the innovative use of CGI, presenting it as the film's defining and most successful feature. This prioritization might overshadow other aspects of the film's narrative or production. The positive tone surrounding the CGI choice strongly influences the overall perception of the film.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and enthusiastic, using words like "sparky," "mischief," and "unpredictable anarchy." While this creates an engaging review, it could be perceived as overly laudatory and lacking objective criticism. For example, instead of 'piledriver subtlety', a more neutral description of the emotional beats could be used.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the unique stylistic choice of using a CGI chimpanzee to represent Robbie Williams, potentially overlooking other aspects of the film's production, acting, or musical elements. While the chimpanzee is discussed extensively, other critical elements might be underrepresented, leading to an incomplete picture of the film's overall quality.
False Dichotomy
The review doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it strongly emphasizes the positive aspects of the CGI choice, potentially downplaying any potential negative critiques or alternative interpretations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The movie portrays Robbie Williams's working-class childhood, indirectly touching upon themes of overcoming socioeconomic challenges to achieve success. This resonates with the SDG of No Poverty by showcasing a narrative of upward mobility, although it doesn't directly address poverty reduction strategies.