When talking about the preparation for his role of Pete Seeger in “A Complete Unknown,” Edward Norton expressed recalcitrance at getting into specifics, sharing, “I think we’re getting so hung up on the process and the behind-the-scenes thing that we’re blowing the magic trick of it all.” Watching “Diane Warren: Relentless,” a documentary about the titular, animal-loving, fifteen-time Academy Award nominee songwriter, it’s evident that Warren herself thinks similarly. Those hoping to walk away with a greater understanding of her prolific output (she’s written for more than four hundred and fifty recording artists) commensurate with her success (she’s penned nine number-one songs and had thirty-three songs on the Billboard Hot 100) will do so empty-handed, though not without having been entertained. 

“As soon as someone starts talking about [process] I want to kill myself,” she groans. “Do you want to be filmed having sex?” To that end, without offering this insight, the documentary at times feels almost too standard and bare, especially for an iconoclastic creative like Warren. Director Bess Kargman plays through the expected beats initially, ruminating on her success and career with cleverly placed adulation assists from talking head interviews from industry icons like Cher, Jennifer Hudson, and Quincy Jones, before narrowing focus and focusing on how her upbringing and family circumstances led to where she is today.

There’s a deceptive simplicity to these proceedings, though. Yes, it may follow the typical documentary structure, but by refusing to disclose the exact “magic trick” of Diane’s success, the film is much more effective at ruminating along with her. It’s the kind of documentary that won’t immediately spark new revelations about its subject through flashy announcements. But, when played back down the line, one can see that the secrets to success were embedded in ordinary rhythms. It’s akin to revisiting old journal entries after you’ve spent years removed from the headspace of the initial writing. You walk away with a greater understanding not just of the past but of the present, too.

Refreshingly, the film knows that the best way to honor its subject is not to make her more “agreeable” or sugarcoat her sardonic tone but instead revel in it; the doc desires to capture her in all of her complexities and honesty. When we first meet Warren, she’s getting ready to drive over to her office with her cat. It’s no different from many set-ups you’ve probably seen before in other documentaries. A handheld camera shakily follows its subject through quotidian rhythms as if it were a vlog of sorts. Yet, while in the car, Warren directly breaks the fourth wall and cheekily tells the camera that it can be placed at a better angle before grabbing it and trying to reposition it herself. It’s a small moment, but one that underscores her personality.

Another facet that’s interesting about this approach is that we see, at times, how this is uncomfortable for Warren herself. She doesn’t try to mythologize her life and work, not out of a false sense of humility but because she genuinely seems content with letting her creative process be tinged with mystery even unto herself. She’s aware that the camera’s probing nature can often disrupt the sacredness of that mystery, and it’s funny to see the ways she navigates its presence, especially when she begins to share more personal details of her life, such as the fact that while her father supported her music, her mother did not. She flirts between wanting to be anonymous and knowing that visibility (especially in the entertainment industry) is the key to longevity. It’s an interesting metanarrative to witness on-screen, even when the subject matter may vary at a given moment.

Given Warren’s confidence, the documentary could have further explored her relationship with the Academy Awards; it’s evident it’s important for her to win and Kargman isn’t afraid to linger on the devastation and anger she feels when she’s snubbed for the umpteenth time. It raises a question, though, that for all of Warren’s self-confidence, why does she feel the need to be validated by what this voting body thinks? It’s clear that not winning hasn’t deterred her or reduced the quality of her music, as she uses each loss as further fuel to keep creating.

When the film does get into more personal territory, such as detailing the creation of songs like Lady Gaga’s “Til It Happens to You,” which was inspired in part by Warren’s own experience of being sexually assaulted, we get a little bit of more insight into her creative process. The songs she writes that are directly inspired by her life (“Because You Loved Me,” a tribute to her father is another) are significant because, as some of her frequent collaborators note, she’s penned some of the most renowned songs about love despite deriding romance in her own life. Kiss singer Paul Stanley, who wrote “Turn on the Night” with Warren, observed that it’s “easier to write about heartache when you don’t have to live it … but you do fear it.” For Warren, she shares how writing love songs feels more like acting and doing role play; it’s touching to see the contrast between songs rooted in her personal history and ones that aren’t.

At times, “Diane Warren: Relentless” falters in embodying the transgressive nature of the artist at its center. But upon further reflection, this is the type of lean, no-nonsense documentary that could be made about an artist like her; it’s disarmingly straightforward and bursting with a candor befitting of someone toiling away in a merciless industry purely for the love of the game. It may be hard to get on the film’s wavelength at first. But then again, Warren wouldn’t have it any other way.

Game Changer Review: The highly anticipated film Game Changer, directed by Shankar and featuring Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, and Anjali alongside SJ Suryah and Srikanth in pivotal roles, is a political action drama that delves into the murky waters of corruption within the Indian political system. Shankar, renowned for his grand storytelling, makes his Telugu directorial debut with Game Changer. His signature style is evident in the film’s lavish production and narrative structure. The story, penned by Karthik Subbaraj, weaves together action, drama, and social commentary, though it occasionally leans heavily on familiar tropes.

Ram Charan delivers a compelling performance in dual roles, seamlessly transitioning between the principled Ram Nandan and the rustic Appanna. As the central figure of the story, he carries the narrative with remarkable ease. While his portrayal of Ram Nandan is high on style and swag, it is his heartfelt performance as Appanna that truly resonates with the audience.

Kiara Advani, as Deepika, plays Ram Nandan’s love interest. Her character moderates Ram’s anger and inspires him to take up the IAS. While Ram and Kiara light up the screen, their love track feels somewhat clichéd. Anjali, as Parvathy, gets a meaty role as Appanna’s wife, championing his principles and cause. The emotional depth she brings to the story bolsters the film’s core.

Srikanth, as Bobbili Satyamurthy, surprises with his antagonist role. His dynamic interactions with Appanna add layers to the narrative. SJ Suryah, known for his distinct style and mannerisms, delivers yet another solid performance as Bobbili Mopidevi.

The film opens with Ram transitioning from an IPS officer to an IAS officer, featuring a stylish action sequence where he settles old scores. The first half chronicles his journey from a fiery college student to a committed civil servant. Although it employs some usual tropes and forced humour, the first half ends with an interval twist, setting the stage for an engaging second half. The latter part of the film takes a different trajectory, transitioning into a politically driven narrative rooted in the soil. The screenplay, treatment, and even the colour palette shift to complement this transformation.

Thaman’s musical score elevates the film, with a soundtrack that complements its themes. Tirru’s cinematography captures both the grandeur and grit of the story, employing dynamic visuals that enhance the viewing experience. Editing by Shameer Muhammed and Ruben ensures a cohesive narrative flow. The production values reflect Shankar’s commitment to high-quality filmmaking, with grandiose visuals in the song sequences. “Jaragandi” stands out as the highlight track, while the popular “Naanaa Hyraanaa” is yet to make its way into the final cut. The team has announced its inclusion starting January 14.

While Game Changer impresses with its grand visuals and socially relevant themes, it falters in areas that detract from its overall impact. The narrative occasionally veers into predictability, relying on familiar tropes of love, political corruption, and systemic injustice. The screenplay’s didactic tone, though impactful at times, can feel heavy-handed, leaving little room for subtlety.

Overall, Game Changer is a well-executed commercial film. Shankar’s grand scale and Ram Charan’s brilliant performance, combined with strong supporting roles and technical excellence, make it a compelling watch for enthusiasts of the genre.

Music biopics are too often predictable, formulaic and, let’s face it, dull. One way to liven them up, however, is to venture way outside the box and make the central subject an anthropomorphic animal. And while an alligator Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody” or a sloth Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” might have been bridges too far, a chimpanzee Robbie Williams defies logic and somehow works in “Better Man.”

Director Michael Gracey’s admirably eccentric biopic/jukebox musical (★★★ out of four; rated R; in select theaters now, nationwide Friday) still boasts the signature tropes of its ilk and the career-tanking vices of many a “Behind the Music” episode. Yet the fact that the ultra-cheeky Williams is inexplicably presented as a bawdy CG ape man (given cool moves and voice via performance capture by Jonno Davies) matches the fantastical nature of the British pop star’s bananas rise-and-fall-and-rise-again tale.

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The movie also has a lot in common with Gracey’s most famous effort, “The Greatest Showman,” featuring well-crafted, effervescent musical numbers doing what they can to make up for oversentimentality and an unfocused narrative.

Narrated by Williams himself, “Better Man” chronicles his life starting as a little simian dude playing soccer in the streets with his mates – and failing to impress his peers. Like his father Peter (Steve Pemberton), Robbie wants to be somebody and slowly he begins to embrace a charismatic, wild-child personality that wins him a spot in the boy band Take That. His brazen and outrageous personality wins over some like pop-star girlfriend Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) – and his many fans – but irks many others, from his bandmates and manager (Damon Herriman) to members of Oasis.

The middle of the movie is where “Better Man” finds its groove. Robbie sings “Rock DJ” and his group pogo-sticks through London’s busy Regent Street in the film’s most spectacular sequence. And as the insecure Robbie goes down a bad path, he’s forced to literally fight the conflicting parts of his pop-star persona. Drugs and being a selfish jerk threaten everything, of course, and seeing a chimp go through the out-of-control partying instead of a normal dude is a bit different. The family drama peppered through the film leans too earnest, leading to an ending that pours on the schmaltz way too hard. Brash simian Robbie is a lot more fun to watch than soppy simian Robbie.

No one’s ever going to play a primate like the brilliant Andy Serkis in his “Planet of the Apes” films. Davies does a good job at moving in such a way that’s human but also a little bit wild, which adds to the hyperrealism of a proudly oddball movie. It doesn’t completely explain why exactly Williams is a chimp in the biopic – he’s said he feels “less evolved” than others, and Nicole calls Robbie an “animal” during a fight – but it makes that bizarre choice a little less head-scratching.

Interestingly, the best part of “Better Man” is Williams. He sings the songs throughout the movie – including nifty new tune “Forbidden Road” – and his fabulous narration hilariously slings jabs and adds an emotional gravitas to his screen counterpart’s struggles. When the film goes most over the top, Williams’ commentary keeps it grounded.

“Better Man” isn’t perfect – as a straightforward effort, it doesn’t hold a candle to, say, “A Complete Unknown.” But it’s never boring, either. And the film is easily the most idiosyncratic of its kind, at least until that inevitable Barry Manilow biopic featuring a yeti.