"Because I'm happy, Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof..." and that is exactly what happened at the screening I attended for Piece by Piece - the Lego, animated Pharrell Williams documentary (for lack of a better term). Instead of a biopic, a la Bohemian Rhapsody or Rocketman, Williams, along with director Morgan Neville (Won't You Be My Neighbor?), decided to make a documentary about Williams' life but using Legos instead of live action. The result is a unique take on documentary filmmaking that gives a lightness to a deeper yet entertaining story. Piece by Piece made its debut at the Telluride Film Festival in August but hits theaters on October 11, 2024.
Williams grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and attended school with Missy Elliot, Chad Hugo, and Pusha T. He and Chad created the band, The Neptunes, with Williams' cousin Timbaland and after winning a talent contest, they caught the eye of Future Records owner Teddy Riley. There the duo began producing songs for other artists and creating beats. Teddy Riley even credits Williams with writing Riley's rap part on the song Rump Shaker. Considered to be one of the greatest producing duos in history, they have been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards and have won 4.
The animated documentary is narrated by Williams and includes interviews with Snoop Dogg (Starsky & Hutch), Chad Hugo (though the two are no longer on speaking terms), Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake (In Time), etc. Williams begins by explaining his ability to not only hear music but to see it and feel it as well, traits he found in common with Chad. He also discusses his feelings of being an outcast and looked at as being a strange child. He then spends time reminiscing about his grandmother and her belief in him and his musical ability.
Neville does an excellent job of letting Williams tell his story while guiding him along the way. He also intersperses interviews with family, friends, and celebrities at opportune moments. Neville keeps the pace moving along and chooses moments in interviews that keep the story moving forward. He lets serious moments in the movie have their time but also offers some funny bits here and there to keep the mood light. Another thing Neville does very well is bringing life to the music visually. This is actually where the Legos "shine" most.
The idea to tell Williams' story using legos was simply brilliant and Neville uses it to his full advantage. From making the movement, such as waves crashing on the beach or showing the Blue Angels airplanes flying overhead, to bringing the musical beats to life, the shapes, sizes, and colors of Legos offer so many options that the task is easier than one might imagine. They also bring a fullness to the film that probably wouldn't have been possible even ten years ago. The majesty of the work and effort put into the animation could be a study of how to create color, depth, and emotion out of the inanimate objects that surround us.
Of course, the music is incredibly significant and when the audience begins clapping along to Happy from Despicable Me the feeling in the theater is electric. It is at that moment one realizes the true impact that Pharrell Williams has had on the music industry and our lives for the last 20-plus years.
Using Legos to illustrate the artistry of Williams makes this documentary groundbreaking, relatable on a variety of levels, and easy to watch regardless of one's age. Williams is unique and Lego and Neville display that beautifully through words, music, and colors throughout the 90-plus minute film.
Grade: A-
