Robbie Williams recently reflected on producing his new biopic “ Better Man ” referencing an experience very similar to Eminem during “8 Mile” in the process with a need to produce quality soundtrack songs that fit. The semi autobiographical film which debuted during the Christmas holiday depicts Robbie Williams using CGI rendering him as a monkey to retell his life's important career milestones and journey to success beginning in childhood.
Soundtrack Struggles Echo Eminem’s "Lose Yourself" Experience During “Better Man” Production Process
While creating soundtrack for “Better Man” Williams identified with rapper Eminem who famously fought for inclusion of “Lose Yourself” on the “8 Mile” film soundtrack after director feedback from the producer in the year 2002. Robbie Williams explained he sent song after song describing them as bangers expressing his frustration that his song selection did not always match what director Michael Gracey envisioned. He recounted to Collider his personal challenges of convincing director on the correct soundtrack picks stating very clearly "I totally get what you need there” accepting his vision in the end of creative processes with understanding . The inclusion of songs from both Take That from early 2000 and also solo output formed the finished selection of songs.
New Single “Forbidden Road” Highlights Film's Soundtrack Alongside "Better Man's" Inward Reflections
In conjunction with theatrical release for Better Man Williams released both digital and physical versions of the movie's soundtrack featuring the single called “Forbidden Road" adding personal notes in both lyrics and in overall production. NME published three-star review citing Better Man movie as “Rudebox on film” while acknowledging movie’s ambition calling it “a big swing”. NME noted that “Better Man” had some good qualities with some bad moments. It further noted it does not fault movie production for the chutzpah or the film’s ambitions. The review questions if the $110 million dollar film budget will ever recover.
"Better Man" Explores Robbie Williams' Life and Music Post Rehab after Meteoric rise to Fame
Better Man uses a CGI ape characterization of Robbie Williams that explores his early fame along with struggles faced after fame showing a life from humble beginnings to stadium stardom in music industry. Better Man displays the period in Williams’s life when he entered rehab highlighting how he mended the relationships with other members from Take That also showing performance in Royal Albert Hall with Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" during this specific time frame. Despite movie covering specific periods of time in Robbie William's life some events appear to be jumbled or out of order even after showing all elements of his solo career.
Early Career with Take That Depicted Before and After Solo Music in Biographical Movie
The first section of Better Man portrays Robbie Williams journey as a young member with Take That emphasizing pressures that came with pop star status. Better Man describes challenges with substance abuse problems in the group along with disputes involving members specially Gary Barlow that greatly affected musical and personal creative processes. Robbie Williams after leaving group chose a solo music pathway eventually resulting in a scene apologizing to Gary Barlow that leads to the highly anticipated comeback tour reuniting all five original members for the first time since 1995. The album "Progress" brought all original members together one last time as described in movie .
Solo Success and Second Take That Stint Show Williams Career Diversity And Influence
Better Man’s focus shifted from Williams' initial career to highlight solo success ending with period after leaving rehab that does not extend into second tour with Take That. A 2010 return of all members occurred in real life and resulted in popular stadium tours across both United Kingdom and also Europe solidifying comeback for Robbie Williams in 2010. The success of this tour was cut short when band member Jason Orange retired from industry while William's decided to refocus his solo path where he continues in music and live events showing a large influence within musical communities globally. The remaining three members continue performing together under band title with Gary Barlow Howard Donald and Mark Owen
Robbie Williams amassed eight solo albums between years of 1995 to 2009 with five further albums released from 2012 through 2022 after separating from Take That. The 2022 album called “XXV” rose to number one on the UK music charts making Williams highest charting selling artist in Britain securing 14 number one records . Better Man highlights music primarily from early years of Take That and first solo career years choosing not to explore much music from his more recent solo work instead. This strategy shows focus on his beginning career over his current work.
Personal Struggles and Relationships Reflected With Ayda Field As Key Influence
Better Man depicts Williams’s life including challenges of his relationships between the 1980s to 2000s though it does not touch upon life events in more current periods . The reunion with Take That does prove however Williams managed to patch up some relationship wounds that the movie does focus upon. Williams’ personal struggles that included emigrations back and forth between London and Los Angeles before eventual finding a more settled location was mentioned in film’s context to the viewers of the biographical film. All Saints singer Nicole Appleton also features as prominent character in Better Man’s context highlighting Williams life events from early period before also moving past it eventually meeting and marrying American actress Ayda Field that has improved Williams life with four children and many successful creative collaborative projects.
Michael Gracey who directed “The Greatest Showman” also directed "Better Man" showing another high budget approach to storytelling while capturing a visionary perspective on complex artist and his life and times that spans years of entertainment. Robbie Williams made several New Year Eve appearances in Sydney followed by his performance in Melbourne as seen in Noise11.com showing "Better Man" has had very limited box office results despite the huge international fame the musical artist holds. The total Box office reached 4,337,508 dollars by January 6 2025 between Australia, United Kingdom, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Romania and North America .
“Better Man’ generated $1,103,900 over the weekend in Australian cinema receipts and also over an eleven-day period managed to achieve $2,885,148 from a selection of local markets compared with Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s weekend total of $4,102,209 showing the limited appeal. In contrast Sonic The Hedgehog managed over 15 million across the same time window showing more of a draw within those same market areas compared to the relatively small performance from “Better Man”. “Better Man” had free screenings made available in areas such as DC to provide access to more viewings before more wide scale release was put in motion.
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Robbie Williams criticized the Australian Broadcasting Commission after they did not mention his name during a recent Melbourne event with fans being advised to plan ahead before they go to Federation Square Melbourne before all Robbie William's special appearances begin to occur for the new years engagements which show global impact.
“Better Man’ is told from Robbie Williams's personal perspective. It emphasizes his witty nature during challenges with both meteoric rise and also eventual fall from grace. Better Man takes the viewer on a journey from his early days with Take That eventually growing into record-breaking solo star. Robbie Williams collaborated on music while starring and appearing in “Better Man’ that released as major theatrical motion picture with new insights to famous singer’s background. A free advance screening on January 8 was made available for “Better Man” at AMC Georgetown showing early signs of large demand within metropolitan area locations before its large public release.