BETTER MAN (Michael Gracey, 2024)

I really liked this film even though it’s bombing at the box office. It tells the now common tale of teen superstardom but from a unique perspective of a teen star who became an adult star and survived their own self-destructive behaviors, all the while portrayed onscreen by a CGI monkey. Various addictions, impostor syndrome, suicidal depression, and loss are dealt with in an adult manner, and it’s all tied together by this singing primate who wrote some bangers and seems deeply and sincerely grateful to still be doing that. Recommended in spite of my fear that it will quickly sink beneath the surface and soon be forgotten.