Robbie Williams’ ‘Better Man’ Biopic Bombs In US And The UK

Movie audiences on each side of the ocean seemingly thought higher of seeing Robbie Williams’ biopic, “Better Man,” throughout its opening weekend.

The shiny biopic, which revisits the fast and rocky life and profession of the “Rock DJ” performer – albeit with Williams portrayed as a CGI monkey – failed to draw followers, bringing in an estimated $10 million worldwide towards an alleged $110 million finances.

Within the days and weeks main as much as the discharge of Williams’ “Higher Man,” critics praised the venture as one of many higher biopics in latest reminiscence.

Directed by Michael Gracey (“The Biggest Showman”) with Williams himself narrating the amplified take of his life story, the movie was famous as being each modern and enjoyable, partially attributable to its very human topic being introduced as an anthropomorphic monkey, (Williams defined in a number of interviews that the animal is usually how he sees himself).

One glowing evaluation of “Higher Man,” written by Liz Shannon Miller, the senior leisure editor of Consequence with Sound, notes the movie as one which “[saves] the music biopic.”

“Taking the ‘Paddington’ method to its protagonist immediately imbues the film with a cheeky power,” she writes, “an power that even newcomers to Williams’ story will come to search out very apt.”

A shining instance of the foolish but spectacular vibe of “Higher Man” resides in a scene themed on an early level in Williams’ lengthy profession.

After reaching an inflow of latest fame with Take That, the boyband that gave Williams his begin, the group breaks right into a full of life efficiency of “Rock DJ,” one of many singer’s most notable hits, set on London’s well-known Regent Avenue.

Although solely a minute of the scene is accessible on-line, Consequence’s Miller says the total sequence is definitely among the best choices of 2024 cinema.

Try the clip above.

One frequent thread of why Williams’ “Higher Man” failed to attach with American audiences alleges that the singer is not as famous right here as elsewhere.

On X, a number of customers claimed they weren’t stunned to be taught the film introduced in round $1 million stateside on its opening weekend.

“Does anybody in America even know who Robbie Williams is?” one individual requested.

One other X person shared, “A biopic a few singer who’s removed from a family title in most elements of the world, portrayed as a lackluster CGI chimpanzee, is underperforming—what a shocker!”

Purportedly pushing the declaration of Williams’ lack of American notoriety was Kat Blaque, a YouTube character and leisure commentator. In a short video related to an extended tackle a separate topic, she responded to followers who known as her out for stating America, as a complete, was unfamiliar with Williams.

“We simply flat out don’t know who he’s,” she specified through a textual content overlay. “I genuinely thought [‘Better Man’] was a movie a few monkey who turned a pop star with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda!”

Whereas there’s fact in Williams’ being an even bigger attract the UK, he has had some success on our shores.

In 1995, Take That’s single, “Again for Good,” would attain No. 7 on the BillboardHot 100 chart. It’s now thought of a staple of American grownup up to date radio.

About 4 years later, Williams’ solo hit, “Millennium,” can be pushed as the primary single from “The Ego Has Landed,” a compilation for American audiences that includes songs from two of Williams’ albums. It might peak at No. 72 on our shores – an admirable feat for music launched earlier than the streaming period.

A second single, the ballad “Angels,” would turn into Williams’ most acknowledged American providing, hitting No. 53 on our shores. 5 years later, in 2004, singer Jessica Simpson coated the inspirational tune for a re-release of her “In This Pores and skin” LP.

To assist push “Higher Man” in America, Williams appeared on “Dick Clark’s New Yr’s Rockin’ Eve” through satellite tv for pc, the place he carried out “Rock DJ.”

He was additionally shortlisted for an Oscar for Finest Unique Tune – “Forbidden Street” from “Higher Man.” Sadly, it was disqualified attributable to having “incorporated material” from one other track unrelated to the venture.

Although an actual date is unsure, stories state that Williams’ “Higher Man” ought to stream on Paramount + on or round February 11, 2025 (because the movie is a Paramount launch).

As of now, “Higher Man” continues to be enjoying in theaters. See the trailer above.