Robbie Williams' “A Better Man” bio bombs in the US and UK

Movie audiences on both sides of the ocean seemed to think it was better to see Robbie Williams“Biopic”A better person”, on its opening weekend.

The glossy biopic, which revisits the fast-paced and rocky life and career of the “Rock DJ” performer — despite featuring Williams as a CGI monkey — failed to attract fans, grossing around $10 million worldwide against a $110 million budget.

In the days and weeks leading up to the release of Williams' Better Man, critics hailed the project as one of the best biopics in recent memory.

Directed by Michael Gracie (The Greatest Showman), with Williams himself telling his own life story, the film was noted as both innovative and hilarious, in part because its very human subject is presented as an anthropomorphic ape (Williams). explained in several interviews that the animal is often the way he sees himself).

One glowing review of Better Man by Lisa Shannon Miller, Senior Entertainment Editor Consequences with soundmarks the film as “(keeping) the music biopic”.

“Paddington's approach to its title character instantly imbues the film with a cheeky energy,” she writes, “an energy that even newcomers to Williams' story will find very relatable.”

A prime example of the goofy but impressive feel of Better Man is a scene about the beginning of Williams' long career.

After a new surge of fame with Take That, the boy band that gave Williams his start, the band launch into a lively performance of 'Rock DJ', one of the singer's most notable hits, on London's famous Regent Street.

Although only a minute of the scene is available online, ConsequencesMiller says the complete series is one of the best cinematic offerings of 2024.

Watch the clip above.

One common thread behind why Williams' “Better Man” failed to connect with American audiences claims that the singer is not so famous here as elsewhere.

On X, several users said they weren't surprised to learn that the film brought in about $1 million in its opening weekend stateside.

“Does anyone in America even know who Robbie Williams is?” asked a person.

Another X user shared: “A biopic about a singer who is far from a household name in most parts of the world and is portrayed as a weak CGI chimpanzee fails – what a shocker!”

Arguing that Williams is not famous in America was Kat Black, a YouTube personality and entertainment commentator. In a short video In a longer separate thread, she responded to followers who called her out for saying that America as a whole is unfamiliar with Williams.

“We just don't know who he is,” she stated via text overlay. “I really mean (Better Man) is a movie about a monkey who became a pop star with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda!”

While it is true that Williams is a bigger draw in the UK, he has had some success on our shores.

In 1995, Take That's single “Back for Good” reached number 7 Advertising standHot 100 diagram. It is now considered the premier American adult contemporary radio.

About four years later, Williams' solo hit “Millennium” would be released as the first single from The Ego Has Landed, a compilation of songs from two of Williams' albums for American audiences. It would reach number 72 on our shores, an amazing feat for music released before the streaming era.

The second single, the ballad 'Angels', would become Williams' most acclaimed American offering, peaking at number 53 on our shores. Five years later, in 2004, singer Jessica Simpson covered the inspirational tune for a re-release of her album 'In This Skin'.

To help promote “Better Man” in America, Williams appeared via satellite on “Dick Clark's New Year's Rock Night,” where he performed as “Rock DJ.”

He was also shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Original Song – “Forbidden Road” from “Better Man”. Unfortunately, it was disqualified because he had “embedded material” from another song unrelated to the project.

While the exact date is unclear, reports say Williams' “Better Man” should be streaming on Paramount+ on or around February 11, 2025 (since the film is a Paramount release).

Currently, “A Better Man” is still showing in theaters. Check out the trailer above.