Jan 14
Monkeying with Superstardom: Why 'Straight Gay Man' Robbie Williams Couldn't Pass Up 'Better Man'
Frank J. Avella READ TIME: 11 MIN.
"So do you love me now?
Or did I let you down?
You said you wanted all my secrets
So I showed you all my demons"
– From "Forbidden Road," song from "Better Man"
"That's me. I'm a straight gay man!"
– From a chat with artist Robbie Williams
Brit pop superstar Robbie Williams, no stranger to controversy, daring, and sheer nerve, has taken another bold leap, under the masterful direction of Michael Gracey ("The Greatest Showman"), with the wildly original, batshit crazy, strangely moving new film "Better Man."
Based on the topsy-turvy-topsy-again (mix and repeat) life of the singer/songwriter, the madly extravagant, yet deeply personal, movie follows Williams from his childhood to being selected as one of five teens in the chart-busting boyband Take That to his astonishing solo career. Along the way he becomes addicted to booze, drugs, and fame. He's simultaneously giddy and anxiety-ridden on stage. He believes in himself too much, and... not enough.
Williams' Golden-Globe-nominated song, "Forbidden Road," co-penned with Freddy Wexler & Sacha Skarbek, made the Oscar shortlist last month, but was then disqualified for allegedly appropriating elements from Jim Croce's "I Got a Name."
"Better Man" is a stunning, genre-blending visual treat that takes audiences on that meteoric high and then sucker punches them when the subject begins to crash and burn, only – like a glorious Phoenix – to rise again into the stratosphere, though forever having that cloud of self-doubt and insecurity hanging over him. Adding to the mania, Williams is portrayed as a CGI monkey throughout the film!
The recent 4-part Netflix docu-series "Robbie Williams," also probes the artist's turbulent life.
As a solo artist, Williams has had seven UK #1 singles, 14 of his 15 studio albums reached #1 in the UK, and he's broken records with tour ticket sales. He's the recipient of 18 Brit Awards, among many other accolades. The magnitude of his success all over the world is staggering – oddly, except in Japan and the U.S.
Williams is currently in the middle of a worldwide tour. Cities and dates at this website.
EDGE had the pleasure of a chat with the singular artist about the new film.
Frank J. Avella is a proud EDGE and Awards Daily contributor. He serves as the GALECA Industry Liaison and is a Member of the New York Film Critics Online. His award-winning short film, FIG JAM, has shown in Festivals worldwide (figjamfilm.com). Frank's screenplays have won numerous awards in 17 countries. Recently produced plays include LURED & VATICAL FALLS, both O'Neill semifinalists. He is currently working on a highly personal project, FROCI, about the queer Italian/Italian-American experience. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. https://filmfreeway.com/FrankAvella https://muckrack.com/fjaklute
