Robbie Williams’ new biopic Higher Man, which depicts the British singer’s life and profession with the small distinction that he’s a CGI monkey, is just not fairly resonating with American audiences. Per Selection, the movie grossed a meager $1 million within the US throughout its opening weekend.
Regardless of the studio’s promotional efforts within the US, which included an look from Williams on Dick Clark’s New Yr’s Rockin’ Eve, Higher Man opened in 14th place on the field workplace. The movie did fare barely higher in Williams’ native UK, however nonetheless faltered, grossing $1.9 million to start out and $4.7 million up to now. To date, Higher Man has earned $10 million in opposition to a $110 million finances — not together with the $25 million Paramount spent to amass North American distribution rights for the movie.
Regardless of underwhelming field workplace numbers within the US, Higher Man has been met with crucial acclaim. It holds a powerful 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with Consequence Senior Leisure Editor Liz Shannon Miller heralding the movie as one which “saved the music biopic.”
The lukewarm reception from American audiences may very well be attributed to Williams’ comparatively restricted cultural affect within the US, in comparison with his iconic standing within the UK and elsewhere. Whereas “Angels” and “Millennium” have been international hits, they peaked at solely 53 and 72, respectively, on the Billboard Scorching 100, and his highest-charting US album, 2003’s Escapology, solely reached quantity 43. It may also be that audiences are hesitant a couple of movie that includes a CGI monkey as its lead — which, frankly, is an comprehensible response.
Revisit our evaluation of Higher Man.