Robbie Williams doc on Netflix

[MaliciaKeys]

I've just watched it (day off work and it's raining out, don't judge me) and would be interested to hear other people's opinions.

Yea, that was very odd. I was transfixed by Ayda's changing cheekbones, mouth and chin. Why was only eldest (but still v young) face shown. Cut to eldest warbling a song on the old Joanna, she was good! Was Ayda's mother not a power agent or such like? I met him in the TT days and he came across as very nice, they all did except Howard. Couldn't fathom this doc out as he was lying on or in bed in pants at all times when not featuring in a clip. He just looked in depression from these poses, it was depressing. I didn't get the sense that he really appreciated his wealth and privilege. Also go smacked at the lack of awareness around the heavy lifting Guy Chambers was really doing, as the talented arranger, writer, composer. All in all it was just a bit meh.

I also got the impression that he spends a lot of time in bed on his own. Just the way his daughter knocked and asked to come in that seemed more than just good manners.

I guess you hope these type of autobiographical documentaries have some kind of resolution or trajectory to finding peace. He still seems really bittier which is needless, particularly given that he was invited back for a reunion.

Gary was the driving force as a song writer but so what? He's a terrible dancer and average singer and also had his struggles. You don't see Howard going round complaining that he never gets to sing (until numbers fell!) and that Jason was a much better dancer. The others seem to appreciate the wealth that came with it all and accept that every band has its dynamics.

I quite liked Robbie but the documentary just made me think his ego is still out of control.

Not read the whole thread….binged it last night.

What a selfish, man child. Seriously he comes across like a bitter and unhinged idiot.

At no point did he say….actually I didn’t behave very well…it’s all ‘i didn’t get the credit…blah blah blah’

So it’s ironic?

"I also got the impression that he spends a lot of time in bed on his own. Just the way his daughter knocked and asked to come in that seemed more than just good manners"

Yeah, he said that's mostly what he does with his days.

It’s a documentary about him. Of course he’s talking about himself.

I was put off watching it because of some of the comments on here but I've just binged it and loved it.

I thought it was very brave and honest. Didn't get the pity me thing that some are saying about, to me he was being totally honest about what he felt at the time. It's not going to be a fun documentary, the man was seriously struggling, depressed and addicted to all sorts and then ended his career with a panic attack. If he hadnt met Ayda the story's could have been very different.

There was rumours that him and Guy split because Robbie didn't want Guy working with other artists (I think he worked with Kylie)?Guy definitely didn't get the credit he deserves but there again maybe Robbie's failure and behaviour afterwards speaks for itself.

I wish him all the best and hope he can enjoy performing again as he did in the beginning.

I thought it was quite odd the way him
& Ayda met/got together, I’m also not sure what she saw in him to keep trying at the start, the way he was and how he treated her 😬
I did think he spoke in such a wonderful way about her though

I should imagine the "I'm rich beyond my wildest dream" statement he made a few years before helped.

I feel for anyone who struggles with addiction but he does come across as a little narcissistic in it. Clearly Guy Chambers was an equal writing partner and genuine musician but was just discarded when Robbie maybe felt criticised by him. I got the impression he is very much an entertainer rather than an artist and Chambers is a genuine artist who helped make RW successful. I also felt like all the other Take That members were trying hard to tolerate the show off one who pushes everybody's patience. But his daughter was very sweet and I am glad he has found happiness. The wealth brag shots of the house were a bit crass- compare that to Beckham who understands to not shove his wealth in our face-Beckham is genuinely talented and has made his money from that talent but Rw is more an entertainer rather than a musician and good for him that he has got a 50 million $ home out of it but he came across as bit of a navel gazer. You feel like the poor wife runs the family whilst he lies in bed watching old footage of himself. SO whoever edited it, could have advised him better or they knew he would come across that way....and RW could not see that when he watched the thing back...

SO whoever edited it, could have advised him better or they knew he would come across that way....and RW could not see that when he watched the thing back...

That's an interesting point. I have a feeling that Ronnie's advisers probably tread on eggshells as he can't take criticism. If you believe you've been wronged by your bandmates (which he clearly does) and you think everyone loves you, I guess you assume the documentary will be well received.

The issue is that Robbie's 'truth' doesn't reflect well on him but his ego is too large to see it. I also got the feeling that his banter/humour only works if he's giving the abuse and that it would go down very badly in the other direction.

@Its5656 Yeah, I did think this, she comes across as so lovely though

I think if they were aggrieved TT would say something. He seemed genuinely grateful for rejoining the band and that this helped him heal his mental health moving forward.

It’s hard to comprehend how much damage is done to young people in the industry. Basically unregulated, with little support for mental health. Punishing schedules, access to drink, drugs etc. It must be difficult to have a normal sense of perspective for him even now.
Even squeaky clean, all round decent bloke, Rick Astley cancelled a US tour en route to the airport and called time on it all at peak of his career and didn’t perform for years.

I think if they were aggrieved TT would say something. He seemed genuinely grateful for rejoining the band and that this helped him heal his mental health moving forward.

No way would they say anything. They spent all those years being ripped apart in public by Robbie and the reconciliation was delicate and took years. I think they’ve been through too much to jeopardise whatever kind of friendship they have with him now.

Having said that, GB posted on Instagram the other day about TT’s forthcoming album and people were speculating that this was a wee dig at Robbie. If it is, I think it’s a good example of happiness being the best revenge.

I bet he did and the documentary makers didn’t put that in the final show. They definitely put their own spin on it all.

Just binge watched this and have enjoyed reading everyone’s viper insights. My thoughts? Narcissist but due to trauma. Which I can excuse.

Why all that footage? Who took it? Who was behind that camera? Where are his relatives back in Stoke? Where are his friends? Did nobody have any word to say about him. Does that mean he has burnt so many bridges?

Back in the 90s a close female friend who is a reliable source and in no way a fan per se but had encountered him out and about on the club scene recounted to me first hand what an amazing lover he was. He must have got about a bit.
The minimal scenes with his wife reminded me of the Emma /Matt Willis doco which I found so tragic in that she clearly was holding him on a knife edge away from relapse. Hope Rob/Robbie can stay on a clean pathway now.... Good luck Ayda.

The way it was presented reminded me a little of a faded Hollywood star of the studio system - reclusive, curtains closed, dark room, shot in bed a tragic character who has been used and spat out.
Narcissistic tendencies is massive across the entertainment industry, it’s probably a necessity to succeed.

I really enjoyed this.

I thought he came across as very authentic although I was thinking "put some joggers on"

I genuinely think if he hadn't met Ayda he would have have died.

I'm really glad he's found love and hopefully true happiness.

I can imagine if his Dad was an entertainer doing the Pub Circuits he probably inherited a bit of that form his Dad, entertainer, comedian, smoker, drinker, womaniser ?

If his Mum pushed him to audition from a young age, maybe not a very warm, loving and protective relationship there. It sounds a recipe for disaster.

From watching it, it feels he's always been a bit lost, seeking comfort in the wrong things.

Completely agree that once he and Guy parted ways it was a bit "Emperors New Clothes"

I'm a few years younger than Robbie and loved him and Mark in TT. Always liked Robbie's music and was aware of all the tabloid headlines but never realised how damaged and hurt he was.
I can't imagine the pressure.

I'm so glad my young, informative years weren't spent in the media gaze and captured forever.
I had some messy nights and think would be mortified now to see some back.

I just hope he can find happiness in the ordinary.

Watching the Robbie Netflix drama. Gawd I wouldn't want fame for anything. You can keep it. Glad he has a lovely family and life outside the UK gutter press.

Plus the turds that sat behind desks on unfunny shows slagging him off.

To be fair, that was during the time when the NOTW and other tabloids were tapping loads of celebs' phones and it's quite possible that Robbie and/or Geri were victims of that.

I watched it and found it quite fascinating, even though he came across as very odd, very self-absorbed and narcissistic. I wasn't a fan of TT or of Robbie particularly, but what absolutely amazed me was how incredibly successful he's been as a solo artist. He was a washed up 21-year-old former boy-band member who was addicted to drugs and alcohol when he was given his marching orders from TT. Yet from that he became this huge, incredibly successful, mega-rich rock star! What is the chance of that happening?

Look at all the other boy and girl bands that came and went during the same period and how many members of them, particularly ones with mental health, ND and addiction problems ended up with a career like Robbie's? None. He's made 12 solo albums - 12!! He holds the record for the fastest number of tickets sold in 24 hours to see him perform live (1.6 million), he's worth an estimated £90 million. Seriously, I looked at his Wikipedia page and the figures are astounding, particularly when you consider how he's struggled with fame and addiction his whole life.

God watching the Leeds gigs. Was there and didn't realise what a bad place he was in!

From a human perspective standing in front of 90000 people and having to perform in the midst of a panic attack. I can't imagine.

@saveforthat So after everyone else started using hand gel it was permissible and not just some weirdo quirk?

Watched a couple of episodes but not going to watch anymore as it is too full of self pity. Having said that, I do feel sorry for him that he was thrust into the limelight at 16, that is a horrible thing. Yet we didn’t hear about his family situation and childhood. I hate these documentaries that gloss over the subjects childhood because that is often the most interesting part. A totally different subject, but I felt the same about the recent Jimmy Saville production, hardly any mention of his childhood/family.

I think he had that indefinable thing that makes a star. I remember seeing TT on TV when they just started out and saying to someone that RW had a spark about him. Charisma I suppose. In spades. Gary Barlow also had a special something but his talent was more tangible. I remember seeing him on a carol writing competition before he joined TT and saying the same thing about him. Easy to spot in his case because he won the competition.

But what you say is so true. I think a lot of the sneeriness towards both RW is to do with the fact that a working class lad has made so much dosh. That drives some people crazy.