“Better Man” profiles British performing monkey Robbie Williams       

Director Michael Gracey's biographical film of the immensely popular, unquestionably troubled English singer/songwriter Robbie Williams, "Better Man," has an enticing title. Does it refer to Williams' song "Better Man" from his third album in 2000? Perhaps Williams himself needs to become a better man? Or does the CGI animated chimpanzee portraying Williams throughout the film qualify as the better man?

All choices apply, especially since international pop star Williams often describes himself as a performing monkey. Commenting on the audacious decision to present himself in this way, in interviews, Williams says, "Everyone is always so terrified of damaging their own brand. I'm not." Indeed, in "Better Man" Williams asks for no sympathy for his problems.

In an interview for the Telluride Film Festival premiere, director Gracey stressed the unapologetic presentation of Williams' profound depression, plus his addiction to alcohol and cocaine. Praising Robbie's honesty, Gracey knows the film depended on "having a star who's willing to go there, someone who is going to bare their soul and be honest about the perils of fame." Gracey, who co-wrote the script after twelve plus hours of chatting casually with Robbie, tunnels into this 1990s/2000s superstar's childhood, beginning at nine years old in 1981 (with an overbearing, emotionally abusive father) to his startling success with the Take That band to his triumphant solo efforts. Williams notes, "My whole life has been a tightrope act, and I could fall off at any moment. A lot of the time, I do."

Uniquely, his journey is presented through Williams voiceover narration, a computer generated monkey's face with Williams' eyes, and Jonno Davies motion and voice. Choreographer Ashley Wallen stages absolutely spectacular numbers with soaring, swooping, and scurrying camera action, all heightened by viscerally thrilling editing. From the Fred Astaire style dance between Williams and love interest Nicole in "She's the One" to the mind bending Regent Street flash dance, the varied compositions and singing are exhilarating. These deliriously energetic sequences propel the story, but its heart remains the turmoil of Robbie's life, and that stirs the soul in this fresh, innovative way to present a musical biopic. "Better Man" is available now. Check listings.