Better Man-Film Review

Review by Rob Hinkal

If you have been craving a film where a CGI monkey does hard drugs, cheats on his wife, and sings Frank Sinatra covers, Better Man is about to rock your world. 

This chimp isn’t monkeying around! I knew next to nothing about Robbie Williams beside his “wank off” story on Graham Norton, so I didn’t know what to expect and I have to tell you… I went bananas for this thing! It is, truth be told, one of the most joyous, exuberant, and passionate films I have seen in quite some time. You can tell that the team behind the camera genuinely cared about this story and about creating a compelling film because this thing feels like a carnival ride at its highs and truly resonates emotionally at its most compelling moments. 

The special effects are terrific. By the end of the movie, you don’t care that you are watching a CGI monkey. You care about the character. The supporting cast is also fantastic with each character feeling fully developed. Especially Robbie’s father, who plays a crucial role in the story. 

Even if you know nothing about Robbie Williams, much like I did (wankings aside), you are bound to have a good time with this one. It depicts his life in such a vibrant and unforgettable way. It takes you places you would never expect and pulls it off (nearly) without a hitch. I am glad I saw this and am sure I will be seeing it again. Seriously, this is a roller coaster ride you will most certainly want a ticket to. I cried at the end of this movie and I was NOT expecting that when I sat down to watch it. But what can I say? It just works in all the ways you least expect it to. 

Better Man is one of the best films I have seen this year, and while it may be early in 2025, I am confident it will remain so.