10/43
This film is not what I expected
A unique profile of British pop superstar Robbie Williams. The film was born from a series of interview recordings that filmmaker Michael Gracey made with Robbie Williams over a year and a half at Williams’ recording studio in Los Angeles, USA. Although the interviews were not originally intended for the film, as Gracey “just wanted to capture [Williams] in his own voice telling his story”, “the majority of Williams’ narration for the film is from those recordings. Appeared on The 7PM Project: Episode dated 5 December 2024 (2024).
Jonno Davies is fantastic as Robbie, capturing his movements and quirks perfectly
You would expect colour, theatre, music and dance in a Robbie Williams biopic, and this film does not disappoint with the performances. But where lesser biopics take you on a journey through the artist’s hits, this film takes you on a journey into Robbie Williams’ psyche as he tries to fit in to get everything he’s ever wanted but feels he’s still not enough. The film moves at a breakneck pace, and the film rarely stops for breath, but it is thanks to Michael Gracey and the team around him that the film still packs a powerful punch. The Weta team should also be thanked for their incredible work, transforming his performance as the chimpanzee, who symbolises how Robbie sees himself (a performing ape, less evolved than those around him).
The film benefits greatly from being a standalone film
Raechelle Banno plays Nicole Appleton (from All Saints) and gives an emotional performance as Robbie’s fiancée. Her dance performance and the montage of them meeting is truly one of the highlights of the film. Steve Pemberton is perfect as Robbie’s father – the man who made him what he became in the worst possible way. It feels like the story Michael Gracey really wanted to tell.
His singing and tone of voice were also exceptional
Sex drugs and rock and roll are exposed in all their grotesque glory. Robbie Williams himself should also be given a lot of credit for letting the film lay all its flaws and mistakes at the feet of the audience. He doesn’t succeed in large parts of the film, and the film is enhanced by his honesty with the audience. This film is great and is in your face for almost the entire run, but just like the man it captures, there is a sensitive soul beneath all the bravado.
Let’s hope it achieves the success it deserves
It is the best film of the year, a visual and auditory feast.