Better Man (15)
Directed by Michael Gracey
★★★★★
 

FROM the visionary director of The Greatest Showman comes a unique and visceral musical biopic which chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of working-class lad turned British pop superstar Robbie Williams.
 
He appears as a monkey in Michael Gracey’s captivating film because — as Gracey has explained in interviews — Robbie constantly refers to himself as a performing monkey.

You soon forget you are watching a primate due to Jonno Davies’s immersive and powerhouse performance as Robbie. Williams provides the narration and sings all the songs.
 
The film skilfully interweaves his greatest hits into the narrative lifting and intensifying its emotional resonance. While the scene where they belt out Rock DJ is  bold, imaginative and simply a showstopper.
 
This warts-and-all depiction of Williams’s life takes us from his childhood in Stoke-on-Trent to Take That to launching his solo career and captures his raw honesty but also his unpredictability.

It also examines his darker side and his battle with his inner demons and depression. Williams joined Take That at 16 and by 21 he was an alcoholic and a drug addict.
 
No-one in management provided him or his bandmates with the support needed to deal with the horrendous pressures of overnight fame and safeguard their mental health, which speaks volumes of the music industry’s pervasive attitudes.
 
It also examines his troubled relationship with his father (Steve Pemberton), who left him and his mother (Kate Mulvany) to pursue his own singing career and Williams’s romance with Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) from All Saints.

The revelation she was pressurised into having an abortion by her record company when she became pregnant with Robbie’s child is both shocking and heartbreaking.
 
This is a jaw-dropping edge of your seat biopic which provides a singular and fascinating perspective of  Robbie Williams.   

In cinemas December 26.

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (12A)
Directed by Pat Boonnitipat
★★★★

 
SELECTED as Thailand’s official entry for next year’s Academy Awards this is a beautiful and moving film about the complexities of family relationships particularly tested when there is an inheritance up for grabs.
 
This impressive directorial debut feature by Pat Boonnitipat follows a young man “M” (Thai singer Putthipong Assaratanakul) as he quits his work to take care of his terminally ill grandmother Amah (Usha Seamkhum) quietly hoping that she will leave him her home.

He is inspired by his cousin who looked after her dying grandfather and, in gratitude, was left his house, worth millions.
 
But grandma Amah was not born yesterday and sees through M’s devious plan along with that of her three children who suddenly start visiting her.
 
Seamkhum gives a wonderfully warm and heartfelt debut performance stealing the film. The growing care and love between M and Amah is a joy to watch unfold. Amah is funny and takes no prisoners.  
 
By the end M wants to look after his grandmother regardless of the inheritance and the final act packs an unsuspecting powerful emotional punch.

A real tearjerker but also an exquisite drama.

In cinemas December 26.

Mufasa: The Lion King (PG)
Directed by Barry Jenkins
★★

 
THIS sequel to The Lion King seems a lot like deja vu and recycling the circle of life as they seek to cash in once more on the old story.
 
In memory of the late James Earl Jones who played Mufasa in the original film this one tells the story of his origin and how Scar got his name.
 
It is Rafiki (John Tani) who relates the legendary tale to Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter – Beyonce’s daughter), Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala’s (Beyonce) child.
 
Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner return as comedy duo Pumbaa and Timon respectively who keep on interrupting Rafiki but they are just annoying rather than funny. Rogen and Eichner do their best but they don’t have much to work with.
 
While the film looks absolutely stunning with its glorious landscapes it is mostly photoreal computer-generated imagery and the animals lacked individuality and at times were difficult to tell apart.
 
A pointless sequel and a wasted opportunity.
 
In cinemas from tomorrow.

Dolphin Boy (PG)
Directed by Mohammad Kheirandish
★★

A YOUNG boy grows up believing his is a dolphin after being rescued from a plane crash by one at sea in this uplifting tale exploring family bonds.
 
A colourful and vibrant animated feature which will appeal to youngsters although it may be a little unsettling for very young viewers as the villainous octopus upends the boy’s peaceful life with his best friend the dolphin.
 
It forces him to go back on land and search for his real family. While it looks engaging it lacks depth and does not really reel you in.

In cinemas from tomorrow.