Anna Daniels
When I first came across the movie “Better Man,” I felt a mix of curiosity and confusion. The idea of depicting the renowned British pop star Robbie Williams – famous for his charisma as well as his music – as a digital monkey sounded like something out of an unusual creative meeting. However, it’s now clear that this ambitious $110 million project has failed spectacularly at the box office, with results that are surely disappointing for even the most hopeful executives.
The film’s disappointing opening of just $1 million across nearly 1,300 U.S. theaters reveals a deeper issue. More concerning is its mediocre performance in the UK, where Williams enjoys a loyal fanbase, having earned only $4.7 million so far. These figures indicate a significant gap between the creative vision and what audiences are drawn to, extending beyond typical marketing issues.
This failure is particularly intriguing given the film’s hefty budget. At $110 million, “Better Man” exceeded the production costs of other recent musical biopics like “Elvis” ($85 million) and “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($52 million), which featured artists with a much wider appeal. The decision by Paramount to buy the film for $25 million now seems like a risky bet, albeit a costly one.
The choice to use a CGI monkey to represent Williams is both the film’s most unique aspect and its primary drawback. In a time when audiences are increasingly discerning about special effects, the choice to translate Williams’ vibrant persona through a digital avatar seems to have created a disconnect that even favorable reviews couldn’t overcome.
Personal Thoughts: What strikes me about “Better Man” is how it highlights the ongoing struggle in Hollywood between creative experimentation and financial success. Although I appreciate the bold artistic decision to depict Williams as a CGI monkey, it appears to overlook a key element in musical biopics: the emotional connection with the audience. The film’s downfall might serve as a warning about the limits of technical advancement when it compromises emotional sincerity.
What does the failure of “Better Man” suggest about what viewers want in musical biopics? Are audiences leaning more towards genuine human performances rather than technical spectacle?
