“Better Man,” about English singer and songwriter Robbie Williams, portrays him as a CGI chimp. (photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

When “Avengers: Infinity War” premiered, one review presented an entirely original angle: the reviewer had seen none of the films leading up to it. This seems the opposite of what should occur, but it sure made for a good read. Sometimes you go into a film without any foreknowledge. It’s a true test of the story’s value for the uninitiated.

I start here for a simple reason. Like most Americans, I have no idea who Robbie Williams is. And for “Better Man,” a film entirely about this Williams, I conducted no research before or after viewing it. Perhaps one of his many songs – all re-recorded to match the film’s ambitions – sounded vaguely familiar, but I remain a blank slate. Should I feel bad for joining the ranks of so many stateside who are unaware of someone so renowned he holds a Guinness record in ticket sales in a single day (1.6 million)? Perhaps, but I don’t.

Luckily “Better Man” passes the test. It works incredibly well regardless of what folks know about Robbie Williams. It’s a combo pop star biopic and a musical with a unique hook.

Normally, you see one biopic you seen ‘em all. But this one cares even less about realism, and proudly so. For one thing, we never see Robbie Williams himself. Instead, we hear the actual Williams narrate, while a CGI chimpanzee visually portrays him throughout the film, thanks to motion-capture work by Jonno Davies.

Shouldn’t a biographical work be more interested in historical truth? Well, this is the sophomore release director Michael Gracey, who previously shirked history in “The Greatest Showman,” a period musical that whitewashed P.T. Barnum’s vile legacy.

Then again, historical accuracy has never been the goal of most musician biopics. From “Ray” and “Walk the Line” to “Straight Outta Compton” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” timelines are skewed and entire scenes are fabricated to represent a life’s accomplishments. Robbie Williams as a CGI chimp is just more overt about how the entire genre operates.

But unlike other biopics, “Better Man” also feels like a musical. Instead of reserving musical numbers for an audition, studio session or stage performance, chimp Robbie breaks into song at key moments in his life: recalling a peppered past with his father Peter (Steve Pemberton), encounters with ex-fiancée and All Saints member Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) and his fight with addiction, both substances and celebrity.

Williams’ music ain’t my jam. Then again, my affinity for early 2000s emo and hardcore makes me a relic. American viewers will likely perceive Williams the same way. As an homage to his life and times, “Better Man” is a miss, perhaps even deeming Williams the “monkey guy” for the next year. A few songs that feel like direct descendants of Elvis won’t win him any younger fans either.

But as a musical, his songs and story find new life. The re-recordings and original composition by Batu Sener are splendid. If “Better Man” was entirely fiction, it would work. Consider it a conceptual relative of Pharrell’s “Piece by Piece,” entirely done in Lego-style animation. Please do more of this. At the very least unique presentation can mask how structurally similar biopics are.

The computer animation is far from perfect but never distracts from the story. And it affords surrealist moments as Williams visualizes his enemies and how to confront them in epic, maybe even violent ways.

Williams isn’t a heroic figure. He makes poor choices in most scenes. Props to Williams for his direct involvement in something so personal that doesn’t soften his story or seek to blame others. That’s more than other films, often produced by those they portray, are willing to do.

“Better Man” is refreshing, even if it features someone I have no interest in learning more about. That doesn’t have to be a dig – so praise the direction and Robbie Williams for a film that might not win at the box office but is definitely a great ride for those few who will seek it out.

“Better Man” is a refreshing take on often-tedious biopics. (photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures)