I’ll admit, I was apprehensive about watching Morgan Neville’s Pharrell Williams biopic Piece by Piece. I’ve been a fan of Morgan’s work since he blew me away with 20 Feet From Stardom, so I did not doubt his capability to construct an emotionally charged music doc. My hesitation came from questioning how Pharrell wanted his story told; doing so exclusively through GCI Legos seemed nuts. Was this going to be a piece of branded entertainment disguised as a music biopic? My thoughts continued to swirl as the lights dimmed and the movie started. Within two minutes, any shred of uncertainty was transformed into full-blown captivation. I was officially hooked.

Stunning images feel like they’re tangibly leaping off the screen, despite the film not being in 3D. Combined with nonstop musical numbers, Piece by Piece is a contagiously joyful cinematic experience. It will have you toe-tapping and head-bopping for the entire runtime.

An Animated Biopic of Pharrell’s Life That Redefines the Bounds of Conventional Storytelling

Pharrell, in Lego form, sits across from Morgan Neville, also in Lego form. They are sitting on a soundstage made entirely of, you guessed it, Legos. For as unconventional as the visual is, Piece by Piece follows familiar documentary pacing and formats. Starting with childhood ambition, Pharrell linearly reminisces through his young adulthood in The Neptunes, his rise to fame and eventual big break, and his subsequent existential crisis. This all culminates in a humble realization and gratitude for his talents and life.

Watch the Piece by Piece trailer here.

If you’re already familiar with the multi-hyphenate artistic wunderkind, Pharrell Williams, or have paid close attention to his career, you’ll get a lot out of the intimate stories he shares about his early days in the music industry. On the off chance you’ve never heard Pharrell’s name, I can guarantee you’ve heard his music. At one point in the film, a musical montage medley breaks out with all of the songs Pharrell has imprinted on. I found myself thinking “Oh yeah, Pharrell made that!”. Familiar tunes include Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U”, Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, No Doubt’s “Hella Good”, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”, plus so many more.

From playing a high school talent show with his Neptunes bandmate Chad Hugo to creating the world’s biggest earworm “Happy” (from Despicable Me 2), Pharrell’s talent is bar none. Music mesmerizes him and, quite literally, embodies a fantastic visual form. Pharrell experiences synesthesia and watching this play out on screen in Piece by Piece is a creative explosion of sound, color, and life.

Anyone From Anywhere Can Build Their Dreams, Brick by Brick

Director Morgan Neville’s calm demeanor during their interview helps Pharrell feel at ease. This is important as they touch upon the more uncomfortable themes of imposter syndrome and uncontrollable ego. Pharrell breaks down the barrier of his celebrity as he talks candidly about The Neptunes disbanding, his insecurity masking itself as cockiness, and spreading himself too thin trying to be the best. Toward the film’s end, he returns to his hometown in the projects of Virginia Beach to regain perspective. This reflection is an emotional moment that seems to get the better of Pharrell too. Although we can’t physically see him begin to tear up, we hear the instability and vulnerability in his voice. That, and his Lego character’s eyes begin to water.

Unconventional yet memorable, Piece by Piece acts is a return to form for Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville. This unique Lego approach showcases the life and legacy of one of music’s most prolific producers and encapsulates the kookiness that Pharrell himself embodies. The film also includes interviews (and Lego characters) of influential people in Pharrell’s life, including his mom, dad, and grandma, high school classmates Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and Pusha-T, artists Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, and more.

Takeaway

Piece by Piece is a one-of-a-kind cinematic journey through color and sound that sparks imagination and creativity. “People just wanna feel good,” says Pharrell about his music. In typical Pharrell overachiever fashion, watching Piece by Piece will not just make you feel good, it will make you want to perpetuate all the goodness you possibly can.