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Better Man (with spoilers)

35 replies

MrsPeterHarris · 27/12/2024 01:51

Anyone seen this? Saw it earlier today & loved it. Took me a while to get used to the CGI monkey and felt little sympathy for Robbie during the first hour, but 2nd hour was amazing & I cried so much at the end.

The scene with Nicole Appleton where they were falling in love was so beautiful!

The original song at the end is brilliant. Loved it all!

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Myfanwyprice · 27/12/2024 07:43

I’m hoping to see it early next week, I’m so looking forward to it so pleased to see a positive review.

Anonym00se · 27/12/2024 10:14

I really enjoyed it. I loved Gary Barlow’s jumpers! It was really sad to see how much he’s been screwed up by his Dad leaving when he was a kid. It’s heartbreaking to think that one of the greatest entertainers in history so desperately seeks the validation of some two-bit cabaret singer who isn’t fit to clean his boots. Poor Rob, I hope the film gives him some catharsis and he can finally move on. He still seems very stuck in his trauma.

Dontsayyouloveme · 27/12/2024 12:23

Saw it last night and also bloody loved it! 🥰🥰

I’m a huge ⫩ fan but not Robbie until I saw his Netflix documentary. And the film is just a great blend of his true story together a great soundtrack and visuals. There were tears and I also feel so sad for how his dad deserted him and left him with zero self worth. I suppose it did spur him on to become worldwide famous but at great cost to his mental health! So glad he seems at peace with it all now and has a lovely family of his own!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 27/12/2024 16:56

Loved. Did take a little while get use to the monkey but it worked! Some really beautiful scenes as well. Very heart warming and quite a few tears as well! Didn't expect to find it quite so lovely

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MrsPeterHarris · 27/12/2024 17:00

Anonym00se · 27/12/2024 10:14

I really enjoyed it. I loved Gary Barlow’s jumpers! It was really sad to see how much he’s been screwed up by his Dad leaving when he was a kid. It’s heartbreaking to think that one of the greatest entertainers in history so desperately seeks the validation of some two-bit cabaret singer who isn’t fit to clean his boots. Poor Rob, I hope the film gives him some catharsis and he can finally move on. He still seems very stuck in his trauma.

This is so well put. Totally agree!

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LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 27/12/2024 19:20

Was curious about his and his dad's relationship and seems some bits was changed for the film. That's nice though that they have a strong bond and a lot more supportive and involved in the life then potrayed

JustCuttinAboot · 27/12/2024 19:28

Absolutely brilliant, really loved it all

crossparsley · 27/12/2024 23:58

Just back from seeing it, and really enjoyed it. The chimpanzee turned out to be a great idea and it makes very Robbie faces. Good job all round, I thought.

Myfanwyprice · 28/12/2024 17:06

I absolutely loved it, illustrated the struggles he’s faced so perfectly. Could quite easily have gone straight back in and watched it again, left me wanting more!

Myfanwyprice · 28/12/2024 17:39

I did think it was interesting that they didn’t use any original Take That songs, only covers, I wonder if they asked TT and were turned down or if it was a decision not to use them.

sweatervest · 28/12/2024 20:30

i saw it last night and absolutely loved it. i cried. and i haven't cried at a film for aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages.
also i am seeing robbie in london next year and i have even more love for him than i had the day before i saw the film.
the director/creator is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing to have done it.

LizzieSiddal · 29/12/2024 18:56

I’m just back from seeing it and also absolutely loved, thought it was just beautiful and an emotional roller coaster.

I loved that little monkey face by the end. 😂

rookiemere · 30/12/2024 21:44

I thought it was incredible. I was in floods of tears at many bits, starting from the falling in love scene with Nicole Appleton. Such a clever film, and it helped that I enjoyed the music.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 01/01/2025 09:14

I loved it. I'm not a Robbie or TT fan but am very interested in the stories behind their success and the reasons why the individuals involved behaved in the way they did.

It was full of wonderful nostalgia for the 90s/early 00s.

The scenes with Nicole Appleton were tender and raw all at the same time: I felt she was treated with total respect by the film makers.

Having the sinister chimpanzee alter-egos appearing in the audience at gigs as RW's demons was inspired and messed with my head as I found RW Chimp utterly endearing, even when behaving appallingly.

I love Steve Pemberton and his depiction of Pete Conway paralleled an Inside No. 9 character: all showbiz and jazz hands on the outside but dark and troubled on the inside. Exactly like RW.

I'm still not a fan but I feel so much sympathy for a troubled man thrust into superstardom at 15 years old with, seemingly, no support network.

I'd love to hear what the other TT members and the management think of it.

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 01/01/2025 14:39

LyndaSnellsSniff · 01/01/2025 09:14

I loved it. I'm not a Robbie or TT fan but am very interested in the stories behind their success and the reasons why the individuals involved behaved in the way they did.

It was full of wonderful nostalgia for the 90s/early 00s.

The scenes with Nicole Appleton were tender and raw all at the same time: I felt she was treated with total respect by the film makers.

Having the sinister chimpanzee alter-egos appearing in the audience at gigs as RW's demons was inspired and messed with my head as I found RW Chimp utterly endearing, even when behaving appallingly.

I love Steve Pemberton and his depiction of Pete Conway paralleled an Inside No. 9 character: all showbiz and jazz hands on the outside but dark and troubled on the inside. Exactly like RW.

I'm still not a fan but I feel so much sympathy for a troubled man thrust into superstardom at 15 years old with, seemingly, no support network.

I'd love to hear what the other TT members and the management think of it.

Listened to his interview on Graham Norton where he had sent the first script to Gary Barlow and changed it after he said it made him worse then Darth Vader in first star wars 🤣

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MrsPeterHarris · 01/01/2025 17:24

I thought it was good that they have that kind of relationship now that he shared it with GB & changed it based on his feedback.

I'd love to know what the rest of TT think too. I'm a massive RW & TT fan but imagine RW must have been a nightmare to work with given how he was off his face so much with the drink & drugs & then his insecurities on top.

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Longma · 01/01/2025 17:59

Loved it, as did dd. Dh also really enjoyed it.

It was good to see the distinction between Robbie the performer and Rob/Robert the child/man.

It's so easy to have no sympathy with someone because of all the mo he they have - but reality is that they are so messed up and let down by so many people.

Fame at such a young age, with no real professional support is just too much. I wonder if things have changed at all for young people going into these professions.

Longma · 01/01/2025 18:04

MrsPeterHarris · 01/01/2025 17:24

I thought it was good that they have that kind of relationship now that he shared it with GB & changed it based on his feedback.

I'd love to know what the rest of TT think too. I'm a massive RW & TT fan but imagine RW must have been a nightmare to work with given how he was off his face so much with the drink & drugs & then his insecurities on top.

Apparently, at the point of an interview I saw, GB had seen the script (hence the changes made) and MO had seen the film. He didn't mention the others.
I'd love to know what Nigel Martin-Smith thinks about it all - this film, the documentary, the 90s boy band documentary and other comments from - not just RW - but other pop stars. He is really slated in them all.

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MrsPeterHarris · 01/01/2025 18:44

I actually would love to hear Nigel's view - I read he mortgaged himself to the hilt to fund the band & likely without him, arguably none of them would be famous (except maybe Gary).

I'm not saying he's a nice man or defending him in any way, but I would like to hear his version of events.

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motheronthedancefloor · 02/01/2025 15:23

I thought it was utter pish, and I've been a TT / RW fan for over 30 years. Maybe because I knew it all already, but I felt it was really awful.

GustyGertie · 10/01/2025 11:32

Contemplating going to see it but can't decide based on mixed reviews.

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MrsPeterHarris · 10/01/2025 12:07

I loved it so would recommend it @GustyGertie - there is a lot of artistic licence with it, but it's so cleverly done. Well worth a watch (although maybe not if you're not a RW fan!)

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GustyGertie · 10/01/2025 17:10

MrsPeterHarris · 10/01/2025 12:07

I loved it so would recommend it @GustyGertie - there is a lot of artistic licence with it, but it's so cleverly done. Well worth a watch (although maybe not if you're not a RW fan!)

@MrsPeterHarris thank you! I do like Robbie, do you think it will put me off him then?! 😬

GustyGertie · 10/01/2025 17:12

Ignore me I just read it wrong. Thought you said if you do like RW!

Xmasisoverboohoo · 10/01/2025 17:15

I don't particularly like RW but the film was brilliant! The scene with Nicole on the boat was fabulous