A biopic of British pop superstar Robbie Williams with a twist. Using CGI to portray the Popstar as a chimpanzee whilst everyone around him is human. 

Let’s start this review with a disclaimer. Take That became a phenomenon whilst I was in my school years and their music was about as far removed from my tastes as it was possible to be. As a teenager I despised being subjected to them and avoided them at all costs. When Robbie Williams went solo I was entering college and my approach was no different. Even now I would never actively listen to any of his music and I had avoided this film during its cinema run. But the amount of different friends and colleagues who have asked me to watch this film and review it is quite probably the most I have ever had! Which is a true testament to Robbie Williams’ stature in the UK. So I thought that I should keep an open mind and give it a try. And boy was I surprised by what they have achieved. 

The story’s approach was the first thing that surprised me. This is squarely about Robbie Williams and the entire Take That era is handled within one single song and dance number (more on that later). Its opening focuses on his relationship with his Grandmother Betty (Alison Steadman) and his father Peter Williams/Conway (Steve Pemberton) and is very moving. It sets the stage well for our understanding of why he constantly seeks adulation and also constantly feels like a failure whilst showing you how much he cares for his family. It is a superb foundation for a biopic about a troubled superstar. And there are many moments throughout that are candid and unafraid to show emotional vulnerability. 

The decision to make Robbie a chimpanzee is a superb one. It adds a visual flair and hook for those people unaware of him or those who are not fans of his work (me). But most importantly it is an incredibly important part of how they have decided to tell the story. Robbie feels other than everyone else. But when he sees demons or is filled with self hate it is easier to display this by the use of these chimpanzee representations of himself. And the way they have used multiple actors to portray him also helps greatly. The man himself delivers a voiceover that is everything you would expect of his persona. Jonno Davies plays the motion capture of his chimpanzee self and provides his adult voice. Carter J. Murphy provides his younger voice and Adam Tucker provides additional singing vocals. This amalgam of voices deliver different versions of Robbie across the years. 

And then to the best facet of the film where so much credit must go to the creative team behind this project. The use of songs in the film is what makes it. Each one is selected and staged in a way to tell facets of Robbie’s life and often span years in their telling. 

Feel is the backing track to his father abandoning him as a child. Robbie’s voice is not even present here as Carter J. Murphy and Steve Pemberton (who is so good throughout) are telling this story. She’s The One tells us the whirlwind romance and darker moments of Robbie’s relationship with Nicole Appleton (who knew that? I told you I avoided all information about Robbie!). This one features Adam Tucker and Kayleigh McKnight. 

The most spectacular presentation happens in the first half of the film where a performance of Rock DJ through Regent Street takes us through the entire career of Take That. It is a kinetic performance taking us through various styles that even non-fans like myself can recognise. Approximately six years of information encapsulated in a brilliantly orchestrated set piece. 

The end result is fascinating. 

At 135 minutes long I will disappoint you all now and tell you that I did run out of steam. There is only so much Robbie Williams this non-fan can take. I wanted that ending to arrive sooner than it did but the filmmaking and passion to create this is just exceptional. 

What I surely know is that anyone with a passing passion for Robbie will be enthralled by this telling.