32/35
A unique profile of British pop superstar Robbie Williams.. The film emerged from the many recordings of interviews director Michael Gracie conducted with Robbie Williams over a year and a half at Williams’ recording studio in Los Angeles, USA. Although the interviews were not originally intended for a film, as Gracie “simply wanted to capture [Williams] in his own voice, telling his story”, most of Williams’ voice-over in the film is from these recordings.. Robbie Williams: Nigel Martin Smith was, for legal reasons, an absolute sweetheart. And a first-rate cat.. Featured on The 7PM Project: Episode 5 December 2024 (2024). A documentary following the struggles of pop star Robbie Williams as he navigates his rise to stardom. I’ll start by saying that I’m not a fan of Robbie Williams. She’s had some great songs in the past, I actually know all the words to Angels and this is only one of about a dozen songs I know all the words to, 9 of which are Taylor Swift songs. . But anyway, my girlfriend wanted to see the movie as she’s a huge Williams fan so I agreed to go with her and I’m glad I did. Why is there a monkey instead of Robbie Williams? Well, Williams claims that fame is achieved by people expecting them to be acting monkeys. And I agree with that. You only have to watch modern chat shows to realise that all people want their stars to do is treat them like monkeys. This is Robbie at his most honest, telling it like it is, without fear of repercussions. I already like him as I like honest people. But the same goes for his movie. His movie is not about his music, there are only 2 or 3 songs that are played throughout. The film isn’t really about his fame directly: the film is about him. How they deal (or don’t) with fame, how they deal (or don’t) with competition, how they deal with rejection and disappointment, (or don’t) how they indulge in alcohol and drugs, and how they eventually sink so low that it alienates his closest friends that he has to seek therapy to restore him to a functioning human being. It’s a stunningly honest film, and it doesn’t shy away from either his mistakes or his shortcomings. others. He doesn’t present himself as a victim, although in some ways I think he was. He wants everyone to understand who he is, who he’s been, and what has shaped him to this point. The cinematography is great. The beautiful lighting and colors, the dancing at times are mesmerizing: the scene on the main street, where there seem to be thousands of people, is just cinematic perfection. The CGI monkey dances like the best dancer in the world, and it’s so great to watch that I was actually surprised by how beautiful it was. I now have a positive opinion of this man who can bare his soul in front of everyone and do it. with scope, style and brutal honesty. I would urge anyone who loves cinema to see this film just for the cinematic experience, if nothing else. Kudos to Eric Wilson (photographer), beautiful work. I gave it a solid 8.
