Robbie Williams Reveals Why Biopic ‘Better Man’ Made Him Cry

When one imagines a musical biopic of iconic singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, a computer-generated chimpanzee in the lead role is not an obvious choice. but, A better manIn the hands of writer, director and producer Michael Gracey (Greatest Showman), sees the proverbial “performer monkey”, played by Juno Davies, become key to a poignant story about celebrities being stripped of their humanity. As Williams says: “It's a very special magic trick. It desensitizes you and desensitizes you all at the same time. We have deep compassion and empathy with animals, much more than we do with humans.”

In 1990, Williams rose to fame when he was just 16 years old in the British boy band Take That. A better man It documents the beginning of his family life, his struggle with celebrity and addiction, and his journey towards recovery and healing, to the tune of his own music. Here, Williams delves into his feelings about the film, his professional memories and what he likes to see on screen.

My story on screen

[Take That bandmate] sign [Owen]He reached out to us last week and was like, “Hey, Rob, me and the boys are all going to be in town. Can we see a show of A better man“And I said, 'Yes. I would love for you to do that. Which of course I would do, but also, I'm terrified that our relationship is so complicated and so completely healed that going back to the scene of the crime and talking the way I talked when I was 17 must be old.' Injuries to people. [My ex-girlfriend] Nicole [Appleton] She went to see him last week with her sister Natalie. I FaceTimed them all right after the movie and We all cried together. I don't know how Liam is [Gallagher]He will act about being in the movie. It will be interesting. What worries me the most is my father because he is an important part of this film. What is not shown in the film is how attractive, charming and wonderful it was to be around my father.

My first TV lesson

Our first show on television was on BSkyB, and I think about 100 people in Great Britain probably had satellite dishes in their homes at that time. We were at Granada Studios in Manchester and Michaela Strachan was the host. It was Overwhelming and scary. I was already aware that my place in the band was not secure. The management at the time told me that they were not satisfied with my progress, so I was terrified. Usually when you perform, you feel terrified because of performance anxiety, and then you feel elated because something exciting has happened. But I was thrilled to be on TV, and sad because my livelihood and future were in danger.

Best advice I've ever received

To me, this made perfect sense. that it Embrace the madness. It changed my outlook on my job and what I do. You're trying to protect yourself and control what's happening to you so much, and this overwhelming absurdity that's happening, you're resisting it so much. And since I saw my job as a job, since I had kids and my dad went to work, and since I embraced the craziness, my life has gotten so much better and I'm so grateful. I am so grateful to be who I am, to have what I have, and to experience what I experience. The sad thing is that in all my pomp, I did not feel any joy at all. Now there is heaps of joy and heaps of excitement. I have to claim my place in the world, feel comfortable in it and enjoy it. This is a great gift.

The part I always wanted

When I grew up, I thought I would become an actor. and I accidentally auditioned for a boy group And I entered. And I've been playing the role of a pop star ever since. This is me acting as if I were my own screenwriter. I'm directing the shit show. But still, the actual acting, I don't want to do that. It's all about, “Now we're shooting from a different angle.” I just take five steps and turn right and we have to shoot three different ways until Sunday and we'll do that until three o'clock this afternoon. When can I go and say things? This is 5% of your business. The rest of it is fucking boring.

My most difficult professional experience

Having a panic attack for two hours in front of 75,000 people In Leeds in 2006. It changed my life because it was such a traumatic experience that I had to take evasive action. And from that moment, very slowly, I became the person I am today. I went away and retired. It was a huge thing in my head: This is killing me. Then my mind started turning to Swiss cheese because I had no purpose. And I realized that this is why people die when they retire. So, I set a goal in front of me and my first goal was to learn how to do it and enjoy it.

Movies that make me cry

I don't watch movies that make me cry. I'll stay away from them, because I don't need to be depressed Because that's what I feel between my ears anyway. I want to escape and be silly. So, anything that would make me feel depressed, anything that would make me sad, anything that would make me cry, I avoided it like I was backing away from a hot flame. Because of my “ism” that's where I'm at anyway. Why do I go to this street? And this is where I'm trying to escape. Give me Housewives of Orange County. all Housewives.

The most fun I've ever had at work

I must say that now with A better manIt's really exciting. I feel like a new artist who just got signed. And the excitement of what this new world could mean. I would say that what I enjoy most now is that I may have the opportunity to take another bite of the apple and experience and derive happiness from the gifts I have been given. And it's like there's a sparkle in my eye that this might be about to happen.

The role I want to play

Dr. Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show. That part where he gets down in the elevator wearing his suspenders. “How are you? I see you've met a loyal handyman.” Because it's fun and silly and dark and stupid and huge and glorious. I'm not one of those people who needs, wants, or will play Othello or Hamlet. But as I said before, I don't want to open the door at three angles.

A character who is very similar to me

I think they are all people I would like to be, not something that reminds me of who I am. Danny Zuko It was like, I want to be Which. I want to live in the 50s and 60s. I want to go to that school. I want to have that life. I want to look good with this jaw. So, I don't know if there are characters that represent me. They are all the characters I want to be.

Most quoted song lyrics

This does not happen. Not for long. There's no such crowd of fans outside the hotel now. Everyone has children or grandchildren. I think they understand the foolishness of going to a stranger's hotel to sing songs to him. Yes. This does not happen.

My guilty pleasure

I don't have a guilty sighting. Watching me is watching me. I'll tell you at the moment, I'm very happy that there are football matches, Premier League and Second Division, at Port Vale. But I'm not happy about that Big brother It is not broadcast on Saturdays Married at first sight Only on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. with Mavscut to the chase and just do the Aussie thing because that's what the father is. I think their psychological tests are not very strict. It is amazing to watch human behavior and double actions. It's soap and it's Shakespeare. It's great.

Who will play me in my biopic?

Well, we've got the perfect one with Jono Davis A better man. But what's the name of this cool, cheeky-faced boy from London who's about 33 years old? Is he in this movie with Harry Styles in it? [Pause] Well, who I was thinking of isn't in this movie, so I'll go with it Barry Keoghan.

My karaoke playlist

I don't do karaoke. This is none of my business. It's the equivalent of saying, “Okay, let's have an evening where we all get together and do some journalism. What's your favorite thing to write about?” I don't do that. Why? Because it's my job.