Your existence depicted as a Lego animated film. The multifaceted artist Pharrell Williams narrates his journey in this distinctive biographical feature titled “Piece by Piece.” Our JP shares his perspective.
Piece By Piece
Focus Features
- Directed by: Morgan Neville
- Written by: Morgan Neville, Jason Zeldes. Aaron Wickenden, Oscar Vazquez
- Starring Pharrell Williams
- Produced by Pharrell Williams, Mimi Valdés, Caitrin Rogers, Morgan Neville, Shani Saxon
- Edited by Jason Zeldes, Aaron Wickenden, Oscar Vazquez
- Music by Pharrell Williams, Michael Andrews (score)
Studio Synopsis:
PIECE BY PIECE is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.
J.P.’s Take:
The genius and prolific music producer known as Pharrell Williams has garnered a huge fan base worldwide, while working with known talents such Busta Rhymes, Britney Spears, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Daft Punk, and countless others. Before then he co-founded groups like The Neptunes with fellow high school buddy Chad Hugo and N.E.R.D. (No-one Ever Really Dies) with another high school classmate Shay Haley. He’s also had the pleasure of breaking into the movie soundtrack industry, like producing the theme music and score for the “Despicable Me” animated film series. Unlike countless celebs who have presented their life stories in the most humdrum fashion with memoirs, TV documentaries, even biopics, Williams being the brilliant artist that he is — sought to break the mold. And he certainly displays this creativeness by harnessing his narrative in the most jovial and entertaining way as in Lego’s “Piece by Piece.”
The rise to fame didn’t come easy for the young up and coming talent, who was hungry for stardom. So, this animated feature makes for the perfect outlet to convey his dreams, pitfalls and eventual rocket ride fame in a colorful and imaginative way. In such a feature as this, he not only narrates his accounts from his upbringing in Virginia Beach to the award stage. He also allows the colorful, gleeful animated versions of himself and his counterparts to walk us through a day in the life of Pharrell Williams.
Many of the scenes play out like dream sequences, such as one where he discovered Stevie Wonder’s music for the first time. When he played one of his records, he saw colors and objects, and would play it over and over again just to experience that same effect again. At that point, he realized how fascinating music was for him and where it felt magical. This moment sparked his full steam ahead expedition into the music scene. One particular scene where Williams is floating in the sky to symbolize his Grandmother’s vision of him becoming an upstanding young man and highly talented.
We all know animated features are the perfect platform to tell comical, yet heartfelt parables with the emphasis on fun and fascination. Williams thinks outside the box, as his approach is to not only enlighten talented, hungry youngsters as he once was, but to inspire adults who grew up with him and listening to his music. And believe me, revisiting his music brought back many memories for me, as I could not stop dancing in my seat.
The wonderful aspect of this film is that it chronicles Williams’ life in a seamless manner, where you’re given a good bit of insight as to his own inspiration, pitfalls and comebacks toward the end. Despite the PG rating, “Piece by Piece” does it’s best to mask some of the vulgar lyrics to the hit tracks that were played throughout it’s running; even some of the artists Williams has worked with, who voice their animated selves, do their best not to offend. Less than a handful of mundane curse words make their way into the narrative, however.
Did I mention how visually imaginative this Legos feature is? Each time Pharrell Williams revisited his past, visual cues accented moments where he’d think of a track. Lego pieces would jump and bobble and bounce around, when Williams had an idea for a song. The ideas of these songs themselves became physical objects that he would store on his selves. In a scene where he talked about feeling like a failure towards the later half of his career because of a few bad decisions he’s made, he visualized himself floating in outer space, where he felt isolated and alone. This was to symbolize the disappointment of his fans and those who supported him felt. Then, a starship appears symbolizing redemption. There are many colorfully illustrated moments throughout this 1 hour, 33 minute life journey that I felt a sense of glee at viewing.
In a sea of late summer blockbuster movie choices, “Piece by Piece” is one that will provide a joyous musical voyage through the life and times of an artistic prodigy. Although at some point it seemed like a glossed over tale, it still kept its good vibe throughout.
I enjoyed it for the musical throwbacks and for the making of a man of good will and faith, who believed in his dreams and not only reached for them … but achieved them.
Fandango: Piece by Piece
