While debates continue to surround whether or not the population is tired of sequels, remakes, and certain kinds of blockbusters (hint: they aren’t; they just want good movies), one area of film I’ve been pretty upfront about is the music biopic. This year alone has given me less-than-good efforts to put the lives of Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley on screen, only made worse by the fact that superior documentaries on them already exist. On the other hand, Piece By Piece is precisely what I’m looking for. Joining the ranks of other biopics thinking outside the box (including an upcoming one focused on Robbie Williams), the idea of Pharrell Williams detailing his life and expressing his thoughts on where things have taken him by means of Lego is a great one. Not only do we get an understanding of this artist’s life, but there’s plenty to gain and enjoy from the music, including original songs, as well as the colorful wonderment that may have this stand as the most ambitious use of Lego for a major motion picture yet.
The premise is just as stated. Director Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor), in Lego form, sits down with Pharrell, and we hear about the singer/songwriter’s life and musical career. This means understanding where he came from, who he grew up with, and what allowed his career trajectory to take the shape it has. It also means getting an elaborate display of imagery reflecting these periods, ranging from his youth spent in Virginia, to record studios, concerts, and even space (the credits humorously note that not everything happened as it’s depicted). During all this time, in addition to Pharrell, we hear from his family, and many collaborators.
While many may have wondered what would prompt Pharrell, who is only 51 and has plenty of life in front of him, to have a biography about himself come out now, he does have an exciting life. There’s enough thought concerning how he’s handled things thus far and what he considers when it comes to art, faith, and more. With all that said, besides having Pharrell’s perspective, Piece by Piece is full of stars who provide their own fun and insightful takes on things. There’s Chad Hugo and Shay Haley, the co-founders of N.E.R.D., of course, but you also have Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Pusha T, and more.
While there’s often a joy to be taken from hearing from all these different artists and the running theme of working to put together the kind of music that no one else is doing, it’s interesting to think of how much Pharrell has done to be instrumental with so many hits related to these musicians and more. There’s also the notion of conveying the different kinds of work being put out there, let alone how to make it all acceptable for a broad audience. This is the opportunity the film has to make even more creative choices, resulting in funny aspects, such as how to tackle getting high with Snoop Dogg and where meaning comes from within Pharrell’s work.
One could argue that this film doesn’t delve deeply enough into the creative process regarding the music, but I would resist that idea. Early on, the film gets into Pharrell’s synesthesia, basically a way of saying how his mind interprets music visually. It’s why using a Lego format is incredibly well-suited to what’s taking place. Still, it clearly speaks to how this man is uniquely talented in ways that aren’t definable. Instead, Piece by Piece lets its visual style approximate an idea of what it is to see things like Pharell does, twisting around the more grounded reality with full fantastical versions of where these collaborations and solo efforts take him.
However, even with the idea of using the established Lego framework to construct this universe, this is not a film that holds back from being a story of the Black experience. The Lego Group worked with the filmmakers to develop minifigure pieces that were better suited to representing Black culture. Having Pharrell’s upbringing be such a significant part of the film meant designing new pieces for the music equipment that would be in use. Late in the movie, when we start seeing his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar take place, the film doesn’t shy away from the importance of reflecting the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Now, in a 90-minute film designed to bring people together while not avoiding aspects of drama, the film is not geared toward devastating its audience with truths either. There are difficulties expressed regarding Pharrell’s life and the America he lives in. Still, rather than undercutting it, the film has its own energy that allows for examining the emotional uplift of creating a song like “Happy” to counterbalance the impact of significant struggles. It speaks to Pharrell’s confidence as well. While not a perfect individual, as just one person, there’s a clear thought in mind that his self-acceptance should be enough to inspire, which makes up for some of the areas the film somewhat glosses over (we only learn so much about the arc of the Neptunes, for example).
There’s also just a lot to admire in terms of the filmmaking on display. Neville and Co. didn’t take the easy route of making a movie like this. Much like the Lego films that arrived during the WB days, plenty of ingenuity has been afforded to this production to push the limits of what one could expect from this brick-like animation. There are long takes that seem like we’re watching handheld cameras in action. Clever transitions occur throughout. The expression of what’s going on in Pharrell’s mind at any given moment allows for many beautiful sights, such as what’s taking place the second Daft Punk arrives in a spaceship (again, not everything happened as depicted). It’s all so skillfully handled.
Piece by Piece is very much the product of artists who wanted to do something their own way. Yes, that may mean eschewing some things that could potentially be rewarding in a more traditional biopic. However, when you have a film featuring so much warmth, humor, and visual grandeur, it’s hard to argue with the intentions when they prove so successful. Plus, Pharrell really seemed to hand himself over to this project. It means getting a terrific soundtrack to serve as a fitting playlist for his life, but it also feels like a cheerful culmination of what he’s worked through. And it all comes together brick by brick in the most effective way for a rock star like this.
Piece By Piece opens in theaters on October 11, 2024.
