Premiere - Better Man: The Iconic Robbie Williams Steals the Show in Paris

By Mulder, Paris, Le Grand Rex, 13 december 2024

The Parisian night sky lit up with stardom on December 13, 2024, as the much-anticipated semi-biographical film Better Man held its grand premiere at the iconic Le Grand Rex theater. Directed by Michael Gracey and centered on the life of British pop sensation Robbie Williams, the event was as much a spectacle as the film itself, with Robbie Williams delivering a memorable on-stage appearance that captivated the audience. 

The singer, known for his charismatic persona, greeted fans and attendees with his signature flair. During his lively 20-minute session, Robbie Williams shared anecdotes about the genesis of the film, his collaborative journey with Michael Gracey, and the process of revisiting his storied music career. The evening took an engaging turn when French media personality Nagui interviewed Robbie Williams, delving deeper into the creation and emotional core of Better Man. The crowd buzzed with excitement, mirroring the electric energy of the star himself.

Better Man is no ordinary biopic. It stands out for its unconventional portrayal of Robbie Williams as a CGI-rendered chimpanzee, a symbolic representation of the singer's feelings of being less evolved than his peers. This bold creative choice by Gracey adds a layer of satirical humor and introspection to the narrative. The character of young Robbie is brought to life through the motion-capture performance of Jonno Davies, while Robbie Williams lends his voice to the chimpanzee version of himself. The film spans over three decades, chronicling Williams' rise to fame with the boy band Take That, his struggles with addiction, and his subsequent solo success with hits like Angels and Let Me Entertain You. A satirical musical at its core, the movie reimagines and reinterprets some of Williams' most iconic songs, blending music and storytelling in a fresh and inventive manner.

The cast of Better Man features a stellar lineup, including Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Damon Herriman, and Kate Mulvany. The film also portrays Robbie Williams’ Take That bandmates, with Jake Simmance, Liam Head, Jesse Hyde, and Chase Vollenweider playing Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, and Jason Orange, respectively. Principal photography took place at Melbourne’s Docklands Studios and included concert scenes shot at the Royal Albert Hall in London. These sequences recreated Williams' legendary Live At The Albert performance, with fans participating as extras in the extravaganza.

After its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2024 and screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India, Better Man has been met with widespread acclaim. Early reviews praise its inventive storytelling and Gracey's ambitious direction. The film is also generating significant awards buzz, with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song and a record-breaking 16 nominations at the upcoming AACTA Awards.

Scheduled for release in the United States on December 25, 2024, followed by Australia on December 26, and France in January 2025, Better Man is poised to leave an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. With its innovative blend of music, emotion, and satire, the film promises to be a cinematic experience unlike any other.

The Paris premiere at Le Grand Rex set the stage for a worldwide celebration of Robbie Williams' life and legacy, bringing together fans, celebrities, and cinephiles for a night of music, storytelling, and cinematic magic. As the applause echoed through the theater, one thing became clear: Better Man is destined to entertain and inspire audiences across the globe.

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Synopsis:
The rise of British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. After becoming a star of the boy band Take That in the 1990s, he gradually plunged into an artificial paradise before returning to solo success in 1997 with the song Angels.

Better Man
Directed by Michael Gracey
Written by Michael Gracey, Oliver Cole, Simon Gleeson
Produced by Craig McMahon, Paul Currie, Michael Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma
Starring Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman
Cinematography : Erik Wilson
Music by Batu Sener (score), Robbie Williams (songs)
Production companies : Footloose Productions, Zero Gravity Management, Jumpy Cow Pictures, Showman, Rocket Science
Distributed by Roadshow Films (Australia), Paramount Pictures (United States, France)
Release dates : 30 August 2024 (Telluride), 25 December 2024 (United States), January 22, 2025 (France)
Running time : 134 minutes

Photos and videos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville