As a longtime documentarian who’s seen my fair share of biopics and celebrity profiles, I must say that “Piece by Piece” is a delightfully entertaining ride through the life of Pharrell Williams. While it may not delve too deeply into his personal struggles or complexities, it certainly does an excellent job of showcasing the infectious passion he’s inspired in others throughout his career.
The current theatrical cinema scene presents a perplexing picture. There’s a scarcity of big-screen comedies, with Pixar films being released straight to streaming platforms with little fanfare. However, I found myself last night in a crowded theater watching an animated documentary on the big screen. This genre, which has been around since at least 1918, was once limited to short film format. However, the release of ‘Waltz with Bashir’ in 2008 brought attention to this concept. Though not very common, the animated documentary movie has endured and produced modern masterpieces like ‘Flee’.
The movie previously known as “Waltz with Bashir” and “Flee” has been transformed into “Piece by Piece“. This film offers an unique perspective on the life of renowned musician Pharrell Williams, portrayed through Lego animation. The story covers his childhood, professional triumphs and setbacks, and everything in between, using computer-animated Lego characters and settings. Despite being a familiar genre, this movie stands out as a biopic of a musician, a cinematic mold that’s often overused.
Pharrell Lanscilo Williams was born in Virginia during the month of April 1973. At first, he had difficulties adjusting to school and making friends, but soon discovered his true love: music. Whenever a Stevie Wonder or Aretha Franklin record played, young Pharrell would be immediately captivated by the lively sounds and vivid hues that filled the room. This youthful fascination eventually led his grandmother to buy him a snare drum during his middle school years. With this gift, Pharrell formed his first band, The Neptunes, alongside his long-time friend Chad Hugo.
Moving forward, the main character of “Piece by Piece” found himself encountering one challenge after another as he attempted to penetrate the competitive music industry. Despite this, his unique rhythms and harmonies managed to captivate listeners, including big-name artists and producers such as N.O.R.E., Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefan. Swiftly, Pharrell’s fame escalated. Yet, much like a carefully constructed Lego structure, success can be shattered in the blink of an eye.
Piece by Piece solidly resides within the documentary genre, weaving insightful interviews with Pharrell and crucial figures from his life to shape its narrative. Remarkably, director Morgan Neville is depicted as a Lego minifigure in conversation with artists such as Kendrick Lamar. This makes him one of the first documentarians to have a Lego minifigure (although I’m unaware if there’s a Barbara Kopple Lego set). The on-screen visuals, created through computer animation, are more polished and reminiscent of the vibrant imagery seen in the last four theatrical Lego films. Spectacular scenes, like colossal singing fish or an endless room housing all Pharrell’s beats, dominate the screen.
Sometimes, the documentary Piece by Piece uses cinema verité imagery that captures your attention right away. For instance, an early shot of an older Pusha T is depicted using Lego figures, illuminated by sunlight that looks natural. In a key moment, Pharrell’s return to the apartment complex he grew up in briefly shows a Lego boom operator. Scenes showing Pharrell as a dedicated father at home use handheld camera work that’s more rocky. The contrast between the polished Lego figures and a musician like Pharrell, who is renowned, and these visually imperfect elements really stands out and grabs your attention immediately.
The screenwriting team consisting of Neville, Jason Zeldes, Aaron Wickenden, and Oscar Vazquez demonstrate grand, creative ideas that are effectively used to mirror Pharrell’s love for music in an impressionistic manner. However, their more extravagant scene transitions sometimes veer into either overly literal representations of Pharrell’s feelings (such as depicting him alone at sea during emotional turmoil) or generic product placements for films like E.T. and James Whale’s Frankenstein. These polished yet formulaic elements contradict the raw, observational style often found in great documentaries. Embracing a fully animated style like Surf’s Up or Piece by Piece could have resulted in a truly groundbreaking visual experience.
Despite the animation being suitable for its purpose, it’s full of energy to maintain viewer interest throughout its 94 minutes. This movie is a Lego-style portrayal of Pharrell Williams’ life, similar to a commercial. Therefore, it doesn’t delve deeply into the musician’s life as a truly insightful biography might. Given director Morgan Neville’s history of producing lighthearted celebrity documentaries (except for the deeply moving 2018 film “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”), viewers shouldn’t expect heavy substance like that found in All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. As a kid-friendly exploration of a contemporary music legend, it’s perfectly fine, as a Simpsons character might say.
A significant portion of the enjoyment derives from the hilarious anecdotes shared by various musicians about their interactions with Pharrell. Even after multiple listenings, the recurring descriptions of Pharrell as a “spunky little brother” by rappers and producers remain entertaining. This affectionate admiration for Pharrell is evident in stories shared by artists like Lamar, Jay-Z, or N.O.R.E., and it’s clear that they aren’t simply reading scripted statements; their comments genuinely reflect heartfelt feelings. One of the funniest moments from these interviews is when Jay-Z recalls insisting on featuring in Pharrell’s hit single “Frontin’,” as he instinctively knew it would be a huge success.
Another Piece by Piece virtue? The chance to hear some great songs in a big screen space. If you want a reminder that Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” is one of the greatest songs of the 21st century, then listen to it blare on movie theater speakers. This bevy of excellent tunes also nicely reinforces the profound impact Pharrell’s had on modern music. He’s had so many fingers in a shocking amount of musical pies, from Britney Spears ditties to Snoop Dogg hits. The only major drawback of these toe-tapping needle drops is the cringe-inducing presence of “Blurred Lines.” Piece by Piece just nonchalantly playing that tune in the background without ever commenting on its troubling subtext, unfortunately, encapsulates the project’s softball approach with its central subject.
After watching “Piece by Piece”, viewers may not gain a substantial understanding of Pharrell Williams beyond what they already knew at the start. Contrastingly, “Flee” uses animation to provide a deeper connection with its real-life subject, whereas “Piece by Piece” employs fast-paced Lego animation that lacks the depth of human experience. However, the project’s innovative aspects, such as its most stylish visuals and portrayal of the Ferguson protests through Lego, are worthy of praise. Additionally, engaging interviews with renowned rappers and fantastic music make “Piece by Piece” superior to a typical celebrity documentary. It would be delightful if “Piece by Piece” paved the way for more animated documentaries to be released in theaters. Given the chaotic 2020s theatrical landscape, it seems fitting that this once-neglected genre becomes more prevalent.
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2024-10-06 15:16