'Better Man's Opening Weekend Box Office Has Robbie Williams Fans Praying for a Miracle

On a quiet weekend in movie theaters, while much of Hollywood’s attention was on the wildfires that continue to rage in Los Angeles, Lionsgate’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” debuted atop the box office with $15.5 million on a $40 million budget, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Also entering wide release over the weekend was the Robbie Williams movie “Better Man,” one of the more audacious spins on the music biopic in recent years. Rather than going the more tradition routes of Elton John (“Rocketman”) or Elvis Presley (“Elvis”), the British popstar is portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee in Michael Gracey’s film.

The Paramount Pictures release, produced for $110 million and acquired by Paramount for $25 million, didn’t catch on much better than Williams’ previous forays into the United States. It tanked, with $1.1 million in ticket sales from 1,291 locations. Gracey’s previous feature, 2017’s “The Greatest Showman” ($459 million worldwide), fared far better in theaters. Reviews, however, have been very good for “Better Man.”

It was bested by “The Last Showgirl,” the Las Vegas drama starring Pamela Anderson. The Roadside Attractions release expanded to 870 theaters and collected $1.5 million.

via: Collider

The wildly original Robbie Williams biopic — or musical fantasy, if you want to be more accurate — Better Man, directed by The Greatest Showman's director Michael Gracey, expanded its domestic release this weekend to 1,291 locations. However, despite the passionate fanbase of the British pop superstar and rave reviews from critics, the opening numbers have left some wondering if the film will find its wings in the weeks to come. However, it only brought in a modest $1.05 million, leaving some wondering if the movie will find Freedom or stay stuck in the shadows. The film has a total of $1.15 million banked to date, which has to be a disappointment for a $110 million movie.

The film tells a more fantastical version of Williams' life, his rise and fall and how he came to become one of Britain's most beloved entertainers. Williams himself is featured in the film as the voice of, well, himself, while actor Jonno Davies performs as a motion-capture stand-in as Williams is portrayed as a chimpanzee throughout the film, in case we forgot to mention that. The cast also includes Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, and Kate Mulvany.

Is 'Better Man' Worth Seeing?

The film has an 87% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 94% rating from audience members, which makes the film's box office struggles so difficult to process. Collider's Matthew Donato reviewed the movie and hailed its originality, its remarkable special effects and its vibrant musical numbers:

And yet, Better Man has a reckless sincerity about what Williams is willing to show. Everything between Williams and his grandma Betty is primed to devastate audiences, especially if you know "Nan's Song." There's an energetic celebration as Take That leads the entirety of Picadilly Circus on a gran-humping, storefront takeover music video set to "Rock DJ."

Better Man is in a category of successful biopic dramatizations all unto itself. Robbie Williams capitalizes on a concept no musician can duplicate and chooses the correct collaborator in Gracey. Entertainment is never that of gazing at a freakshow — Chimp Williams isn't some mascot or heckle-worthy hail mary. Gracey sustains an unhinged authenticity about Better Man, which is a testament to the dominating story that makes us care less about the absurdity of Robbie Williams as a monkey with the rawest, snowiest nose in the UK.