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Robbie Williams doc on Netflix

334 replies

MaliciaKeys · 08/11/2023 15:19

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.

OP posts:
Happygirl79 · 08/11/2023 21:52

I watched it and thought it was a case of too much too soon. He was too young to cope with the fame. I found it very sad to watch.

Myfanwyprice · 08/11/2023 22:14

I was a massive take that fan, especially Robbie, I’ve always had a soft spot for him.

I binge watched it tonight and found it very sad, I’ve got a teenage son and I can imagine him acting cocky on the outside while falling apart inside - how can any 16 year old be expected to deal with that level of fame - he has spent the last 30 years trying to come to terms with that.

Also, awful how the British press tear people down, you think celebs are immune to the criticism so it was interesting to hear him openly discuss the impact it had on him.

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TimeForBedSaidZebadee · 08/11/2023 22:20

I really like him and have been to four concerts. He often talks about his mental health during his concerts. At his last one he credited Geri Halliwell with being the person who saved him when he was at rock bottom. He said it was her who persuaded him to go to rehab.
He has a close relationship with his dad who sometimes performs at his concerts.
I agree he does come across as a bit of a dick but, weird as it sounds I really think he's trying to cover very low self esteem.

Its5656 · 08/11/2023 22:25

MaliciaKeys · 08/11/2023 17:57

His close friendship with Jonathon Wilkes was covered, and there were rumours at the time they were in a relationship. Having seen the documentary, I don't think they were, he was just part of Robbie's entourage, there to make sure he fulfilled his contract.

I had a day off and binged watched today. Why are there so many gay rumours, he's always had girlfriends?
I loved Take That in the 90s and he was gorgeous. I also really liked the Life thru a Lens album but thought he was very self pitying. Watching today made me realise how young he was and you can see he has a lot of issues. I'm glad he seems happy now he has a family.

Jesusitsfreezing · 08/11/2023 22:39

On the second episode

TheaBrandt · 08/11/2023 22:42

I fell asleep. From what I did see he came across as entirely self absorbed and none too bright. Nicole Appleton was far too good for him.

Discointhekitchen · 08/11/2023 22:44

WinteryWonderland · 08/11/2023 21:48

Oh, and how he treated Guy Chambers after they had been so close showed his true colours. Someone who he said was like a brother, yet dropped him like a hot potato when the relationship wasn't all going his way.
I thought that showed the true core of the man. Selfish and self absorbed. Plus filmed in his pants. Have some decorum, you're a grown man with children for Christs sake. No idea what his wife sees in him.

Edited

Oh and the constantly walking around in underpants in public/in front of staff was a favourite pastime of self confessed narcissist, Russell Brand…

AuroraForever · 08/11/2023 22:46

Not a TT or RW fan but love a documentary. The thing that struck me though was him being on the bed, dressed as he was and the close ups of the bedroom doors and the keyhole. I find that very telling and very sad.

Jesusitsfreezing · 08/11/2023 22:48

@AuroraForever What do you mean?

Jesusitsfreezing · 08/11/2023 22:48

Their house looks so beautiful from the outside

snickersandmarsandbounty · 08/11/2023 22:53

sounds like naval gazing at its finest

mothersnetlove · 08/11/2023 23:05

MrsMurphyIWish · 08/11/2023 18:04

I also didn’t like how he talked to his daughter, saying “you can’t be in here now as I’m speaking about the most traumatic events of my life” and her asking him who he hated most in TT.

I found this so uncomfortable Joe he was having a convo about 'hate' with a little girl.

Livelovebehappy · 08/11/2023 23:07

I’m on holiday atm and picked up a book to read whilst away. Just some light reading about bands of the nineties, and I can now totally see why a lot get burnt out and end up depressed and with addictive personalities. A lot were signed up whilst mid teens, and were worked to death by the record companies who tried to get as much money out of them as possible, before their inevitable sell by dates. Most also had no idea what salaries they were on, and were locked into contracts that meant they were paid a fraction of the money brought in. Then just brutally dropped when their popularity dwindled with no follow up care.

MrsCarson · 08/11/2023 23:08

There's something about him that makes me feel he's a creep. I was abroad and had no clue who he was or who Take that were until we moved home 10 years ago.

KateofGhent · 08/11/2023 23:10

DustSalad · 08/11/2023 17:48

As a recovering alcoholic myself, I'm sympathetic to his struggles but he's so utterly, utterly self-absorbed. Fame is perhaps the worst thing that could have happened to him.

Interesting too that they don't cover the 1000s of women he shagged and dumped all up and down the UK. I think we all know someone who has shagged him.

@DustSalad Regarding the second paragraph of your post, are you sure you mean Robbie and not Mick Hucknall? Grin

Ramalangadingdong · 08/11/2023 23:23

I am actually finding it compelling. Warts and all - unlike Beckham.

Geri Halliwell looks amazing, by the way.

User14March · 09/11/2023 00:05

Guy Chambers contributed greatly to his success, I not sure he realised/realises.

Maze76 · 09/11/2023 00:51

My take aways - at the height of his fame RW used humour to treat people like crap. He would irritate the hell out of me ..

User14March · 09/11/2023 00:59

I was surprised to learn he’s not yet 50.

SheerLucks · 09/11/2023 09:31

Thesunsstillupthere · 08/11/2023 21:51

Pleeeeeeeeaae watch Star Stories Take That (comedy sketch) Gary Barlow mentioned it in his book as amusing his family and it’s hilarious

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nxRhVmcus

I've just watched all three - they are hilarious!!

The guy who plays Robbie was a dad at my DC's junior school - lovely chap.

Ramalangadingdong · 09/11/2023 10:13

Thesunsstillupthere · 08/11/2023 21:51

Pleeeeeeeeaae watch Star Stories Take That (comedy sketch) Gary Barlow mentioned it in his book as amusing his family and it’s hilarious

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nxRhVmcus

I kept thinking about this as I watched the doc. It is hilarious!!

Jellycats4life · 09/11/2023 10:17

Wasn’t surprised to see that he threw Jason Orange under the bus within the first ten minutes (the radio interview where JO snapped that Robbie was “arrogant and blasé”). Seems they have always had a frosty relationship.

Newuser75 · 09/11/2023 10:19

I enjoyed it but I don't feel he came across well at all. Seemed very self centered and I'm still baffled as to why he did the whole thing half dressed.

The doctor on the tour who was giving him the steroids etc I think would have things to answer for.

It was a shame about his parting of ways with guy chambers as they seemed very close and guy obviously had a huge impact on his career.

Ramalangadingdong · 09/11/2023 10:22

Jellycats4life · 09/11/2023 10:17

Wasn’t surprised to see that he threw Jason Orange under the bus within the first ten minutes (the radio interview where JO snapped that Robbie was “arrogant and blasé”). Seems they have always had a frosty relationship.

Is that kind of spat unusual amongst youngsters, though? Don’t brothers get into verbal fisticuffs and sometimes real fisticuffs? Let alone youngsters who are suddenly thrust into the public eye and tasked with shifting millions worth of product for the record Industry. Not many teenagers have that kind of responsibility on their shoulders.