20/22
He appears in The 7PM Project: Episode 5, December 2024 (2024)
Narrative
A unique profile of British pop superstar Robbie Williams. The film is made from multiple recordings of interviews that filmmaker Michael Gracey conducted with Robbie Williams over a year and a half at Williams’ recording studio in Los Angeles, United States. Although the interviews were not originally intended for the film, as Gracey «just wanted to capture [Williams] in his own voice telling his story,» most of Williams’ voiceover in the film is from those recordings. Robbie Williams: If You’re Gonna Laugh, Do It From the Inside, Right?
This film is not what I expected
You’d expect color, drama, music, and dance in a Robbie Williams biopic, and this one doesn’t disappoint. But where lesser biopics take you on a journey of artistic hits, this film takes you on a journey through the psyche of Robbie Williams, who is struggling to come to terms with having everything he ever wanted, yet still feeling like he still doesn’t have enough. The film moves at a breakneck pace and there are very few moments where the film stops to catch its breath, but to Michael Gracey and his team’s credit, the film still packs a powerful emotional punch. Jonno Davies is fantastic as Robbie, capturing his movements and eccentricities perfectly.
The film benefits greatly from being an independent film
The team at Weta should also be commended for their incredible work transforming his performance into a chimpanzee, which symbolizes how Robbie sees himself (a powerful ape, less evolved than those around him). Raechelle Banno plays Nicole Appleton (from All Saints) and gives an emotional performance as Robbie’s fiancée. Her dance performance and the montage of their reunion are truly one of the highlights of the film. Steve Pemberton is perfect as Robbie’s father – the man who made him what he is in the worst possible way.
His singing and voice work were also exceptional
It feels like the story Michael Gracey really wanted to tell. The sex, drugs and rock and roll are laid bare in all their grotesque glory. Robbie Williams is also to be commended for allowing the film to lay all its faults and errors at the feet of the audience. He doesn’t come off well for large parts of the film, and the film is enhanced by his honesty with the audience.
I hope it achieves the success it deserves
This film is bombastic and in your face for almost its entire duration, but like the man it captures, there is a sensitive soul beneath all the bravado. It is the best film of the year, a visual and aural feast.
