In an unconventional yet fitting tribute to the eclectic musician and producer Pharrell Williams, the documentary Piece by Piece brings his life story to the screen entirely through Lego pieces. Directed by Morgan Neville, known for his experimental work in Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, this biopic delivers a vibrant, quirky, and surreal portrayal of one of music’s most inventive minds.
The film, which feels part documentary and part animated fantasy, uses tiny plastic Lego bricks to depict Williams’ journey from a young boy in Virginia Beach to a global music sensation and creative director at Louis Vuitton. It’s a film that feels simultaneously high-concept and playful, perfectly reflecting Williams’ unique persona.
Neville uses real interviews, though in an unexpected twist, the speakers are represented by animated Lego figures. The film opens with a philosophical musing from Williams, who says, “What if nothing is real? What if life is like a Lego set?” While this idea may feel tenuous, the creativity it unleashes in the visuals is undeniable.
Williams, known for his synesthesia—a condition where music triggers vibrant colors in his mind—is shown as a musical visionary whose forward-thinking style has helped shape pop culture. His rise to fame, from co-producing Rump Shaker with The Neptunes to working with artists like Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Gwen Stefani, is captured through witty Lego representations of these stars. The film even delivers comical depictions of No Doubt’s Adrian Young sporting his signature mohawk in Lego form.
Aside from his musical career, Piece by Piece delves into Williams’ personal life, briefly touching on his wife, Helen, and his hesitations about being a solo artist. The documentary shines in its portrayal of Williams’ futuristic approach to both music and fashion, with Pharrell himself declaring, “What I am is a maverick,” a sentiment no one would dare to challenge.
Visually, Piece by Piece is a feast. The film’s standout moments include Lego bricks forming waves, musical beats depicted as bouncing illuminated blocks, and an awe-inspiring scene where Williams, in a dream sequence, gazes at the Earth’s lights from outer space. Special praise is due to the animators for their brilliant creation of Lego champagne bubbles and water that seem to defy the limitations of the medium.
Despite its dazzling artistry, the documentary falters in its pacing. The early parts of Williams’ career are detailed with care, but the film rushes through his later successes. Certain key moments, such as the breakup of The Neptunes, feel glossed over. Still, the documentary compensates with its humor, especially in recreating iconic music videos and featuring Black Lives Matter protests in Lego form.
By the end, the filmmakers struggle to find a proper conclusion, with the film closing on the phrase, “I think we’re done,” as if surrendering to the complexity of their subject. But despite this, Piece by Piece remains a trippy, sweet tribute to a creative genius, all encapsulated in building blocks.
Piece by Piece, a Focus Features release, hits theaters on October 11. It’s rated PG for language, some suggestive material, and thematic elements, with a running time of 93 minutes. Three stars out of four.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
