Courtesy of Paramount Footage/TIFF
The primary thought that crossed my thoughts after watching “Higher Man” was: ‘How is Paramount going to market this factor?’
It’s a sound query contemplating the subject material and its unconventional presentation, which marks a refreshing departure from the latest pattern of lifeless musical biopics. Director Michael Gracey (“The Biggest Showman”) deserves vital reward for persuading a serious studio to again this weird imaginative and prescient. The movie chronicles the rise and fall of boy band heartthrob Robbie Williams, who, should you’re like me and haven’t spent a lot time outdoors the US, won’t be very influential. Nevertheless, that makes the expertise of “Higher Man” all of the extra intriguing.
There may be a side of the movie that I don’t assume requires a spoiler warning because it’s central to the story: all through the film, from his first look as an 8-year-old to maturity, Williams is portrayed as a CGI monkey. Sure, you learn that appropriately—a monkey. Think about if Caesar from the “Planet of the Apes” films starred in his personal musical biopic, and also you’d have “Higher Man.” This idea stems from non-public conversations the place Williams instructed Gracey that he looks like a monkey on stage for the viewers’s amusement.
In case you’re a fan of Williams and have adopted his profession, you most likely know he grew up in a small working-class city earlier than becoming a member of Take That and turning into an area icon. The movie isn’t a documentary, so don’t count on rigorous journalism or fact-checking (there’s even a Netflix movie that contradicts a number of factors on this film). Nevertheless, biopics have typically taken inventive liberties earlier than.
This leaves us with a well-known rise-to-fame story. An optimistic and proficient singer learns the ropes of stardom, turns into disillusioned along with his present scenario, and goes solo. Alongside the way in which, he turns into romantically concerned with somebody, on this case, All Saints’ frontwoman Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno), who finally leaves him. He then falls right into a downward spiral of trauma and habit. There’s additionally a short feud with the rock band Oasis, who’re experiencing a pop cultural resurgence with a brand new tour announcement for subsequent 12 months.
As Williams’ star rises, so does his downfall. At one level throughout “Higher Man,” it turns into a query of whether or not he’ll falter earlier than or after headlining his first main gig on the prestigious Knebworth venue, with round 120,000 followers in attendance. His points and the demons he faces are compounded by his strained relationship along with his father, Peter (Steve Pemberton), who deserted him at a younger age to pursue his personal musical ambitions, solely to return when he wanted cash or when Robbie grew to become a celebrity.
Essentially the most poignant side of the screenplay, co-written by Gracey, Oliver Cole, and Simon Gleeson, is that this strained father-son relationship. They handle to stability this with a collection of show-stopping musical numbers. Primarily a jukebox musical, Gracey brings theatrical aptitude, turning Williams’ 2000 hit “Rock DJ” into a stunning showcase of visible results, choreography, and manufacturing design.
It’s these musical numbers that, regardless of the predictable story beats, preserve “Higher Man” from turning into a very self-indulgent self-importance mission. Whereas it’s Williams’ story to inform, how a lot you get pleasure from it is going to rely upon whether or not you join with the movie’s tone otherwise you’re only a large fan.
BETTER MAN performed on the Toronto Movie Competition. Paramount Footage will launch the movie in theaters later this 12 months.
