‘Piece by Piece’ Review: Morgan Neville’s Animated Pharrell Williams Doc Inspires Wonder, and Some Questions

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As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for unconventional storytelling and a deep-rooted appreciation for LEGOs, I must admit that Morgan Neville’s “Piece by Piece” has piqued my curiosity. The idea of chronicling Pharrell Williams‘ life through animated LEGO set pieces is as audacious as it is ingenious. It’s like a grown-up version of the fantastical Lego worlds we used to build, only now they tell the tale of a man who refused to be boxed in.

In the film titled “Piece by Piece“, Morgan Neville (known for “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and “20 Feet from Stardom“) aims to challenge traditional celebrity documentary norms with an unconventional tool: LEGO bricks. That’s right, you heard it! LEGO bricks.

Debuting at Telluride prior to its October 11 release by Focus Features, the film titled “Piece by Piece” chronicles the life journey of versatile artist Pharrell Williams. This biographical movie employs intricately designed sets made from animations of popular building blocks like LEGO. Given his unique and unconventional career path, this creative approach seems perfectly fitting for Williams. Tracing back to his upbringing in Virginia Beach and delving into his thriving music industry career, “Piece by Piece” beautifully illustrates how Pharrell has consistently refused to be confined within any conventional boundaries.

Nevertheless, Neville’s documentary displays a creative flair, however, it isn’t entirely free from the conventions associated with star-led biopics, and it exhibits the usual tactful omissions characteristic of hagiography.

In a fair assessment, the film “Piece by Piece” with its PG rating appears to cater more towards a younger demographic. The impressive box-office performance of “The Lego Movie ” suggests a promising theater release for this movie as well. Neville incorporates segments that promote self-acceptance and general messages about discovering one’s purpose in dreams, which can be inspiring. However, these parts aren’t as convincing as the moments when Williams allows his own story to take center stage.

In lively passages of “Piece by Piece,” the artist shares his childhood experiences in Virginia Beach, vividly illustrating life within the Atlantis Apartments, a housing project that played a significant role in his upbringing. LEGO animations bring this community to life, depicting how people would play music through their windows, gather in the courtyard, and look out for each other – fostering a sense of belonging for a young Williams, even when he felt misplaced. Furthermore, these colorful building blocks effectively demonstrate Williams’ synesthesia, a unique neurological condition that allows him to perceive more than one sense simultaneously while listening to music. In his own words, the music he heard transformed into different colors, patterns, and “breathtaking waterfalls of light.”

During his school days, Williams felt out of place due to others perceiving him as unusual. His college years were isolating and tough for this artist, who often found it difficult to concentrate in classes. Eventually, he had to repeat a grade. Additional insights come from interviews with Williams’ parents, alongside Neville’s interview with the musician.

A young man named Williams didn’t discover his niche until he began attending music classes, which were suggested by his grandmother and inspired by her church attendance and drum kit purchase for him. In these classes, he encountered his Neptunes partner, Chad Hugo. When they met, the two often skipped school to create music that reflected their diverse preferences and life experiences. There was a magical quality to Williams’ music creation, and this same sense of wonder can be felt when he discusses it.

One key aspect that makes “Piece by Piece” stand out is the LEGO animation, which provides insights into Williams’ creative process. It’s often tough to portray creation in a documentary, but this production, led by Neville and supported by editors Jason Zeldes, Aaron Wickenden, and Oscar Vazquez, delivers engaging sequences that offer glimpses into the inner workings of Williams’ mind. His discussions about fitting beats to specific artists or fine-tuning a record to perfection highlight his genius. In this context, beats transform into living entities, carefully crafted and curated by the artist. Ideas for songs can originate from various sources, such as the sound of a spray paint can. (It’s worth mentioning that Williams contributes five original songs to the documentary, which harmonize beautifully with Michael Andrews’ imaginative score.)

The Neptunes, comprising of Williams and Hugo, were responsible for creating numerous popular hit singles from the late ’90s to the early 2000s, such as “Drop it Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg and “I’m a Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears. Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, and Jay Z, in their interviews, share lively stories that contribute to the sketch of Williams as an emerging music producer.

As “Piece by Piece” delves into Williams’ later life, the documentary starts to follow a pattern commonly seen in celebrity-focused films. However, the use of LEGO animation only partially conceals the shallowness present in certain sections of the storyline.

Still, there are some moving moments, like when Williams speaks candidly about how early success ballooned his ego until he had alienated his closest friends, or how he found himself through producing for Kendrick Lamar and writing his Despicable Me 2 hit “Happy.” One wonders if some of these more stressful junctures in Williams’ life might have been better served with live footage.

In just 90 minutes, the film “Piece by Piece” moves at a swift pace, which means some aspects are glossed over, raising questions such as the specifics of Hugo and Williams’ estrangement and reconciliation, or what transpired during Williams’ creatively dormant period. Although the movie will certainly stir audiences, it may not always deepen our connection with its subject.

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2024-08-31 05:25