Morgan Neville’s “Piece by Piece” chronicles the life and career of Pharell Williams, but throws the traditional documentary instructions away to assemble the interviews into an even greater set. When I first discovered this feature was going to be entirely animated in the vein of “The Lego Movie,” and “The Lego Batman Movie,” “Piece by Piece” instantly skyrocketed as my most anticipated watch of the year.
The first official trailer assured my enthusiasm, but as the release date inched closer, I began to grow more skeptical of this ambitious project. It occurred to me through updated advertisements and opposing opinions that the unorthodox approach could possibly come off as “gimmicky.” I entered the screening with uncontrollable curiosity clouded by doubt, but I left the theater filled with immense inspiration and awestruck wonder.
SEEING COLOR
“Piece by Piece” is a documentary that has Williams and other key figures from his life in Lego form reflecting on William’s vibrant upbringing and his journey of navigating the life of one of the most innovative music producers of our time.
Williams explains that “Piece by Piece” was done in Lego because of Lego’s diverse range of colors. Williams has a unique type of synesthesia, a cognitive phenomenon where the individual experiences bizarre sensations such as color moving to the beat of music. The audience gets to experience a bit of what it is like to have such occurrences through a beautiful sequence where Williams is sucked into a kaleidoscopic realm by Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish.” From beats appearing as an odd assemblage of Lego pieces to Tyler the Creator voicing Williams’ high school teacher, the genius of Williams’ right brain is passed onto you, lingering in the imagination long after the credits roll.
The color palette Williams establishes paints true through the dreamlike animation. “Piece by Piece” signifies an important hallmark in the Lego community as this is the first time where minifigures have distinct skin tones and hair pieces which never existed before. Near the end, Williams goes in-depth regarding his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar for the song “Alright.” Williams details the struggles of Black Americans and that the rise in political tension and police brutality led to “Alright” being created. The song is more than a response and becomes an integral anthem in advocating for the rights of every race and nationality. The themes of diversity, inclusion and the black voice carry throughout “Piece by Piece” and beyond as the landmark appearance of the cast connects the film stronger than any Lego brick.
MASTER BUILDER
“Piece by Piece” was a shocking yet relieving break from God being portrayed in a critical light as Williams openly acknowledges his faith in God. Although Williams’ theology and belief system are hard to pinpoint at times, his belief in God remains particularly strong during the period when his grandmother takes him to church. “God Bless Us All” by N.E.R.D. is sung by the church choir while pastor Ezekiel Williams recounts a vision Williams’ grandmother had of Williams’ voice changing the world. This sparks Williams’ journey to fulfill this dream, a dream that sets the stage for director Morgan Neville and Williams to explore throughout the film.
The film delivers the rambunctious and crazy start to Williams’ career where he decides to stay behind the microphone as a producer rather than chasing his desire to perform. While Williams thrives in this position, he struggles to fit in “the hood” by trying to look like other rappers while also creating music that definitely does not glorify God. During this time, we see Williams pulled into the waves of the world as demonstrated by an enormous Lego tsunami consuming him. The original song “L’EGO Odyssey” plays over the flood spouting strong lyrics such as “only God knows it all” and “once you face the hand that makes space” during Williams’ revelation. It is only after this that Williams sees his true colors and learns his passion and purpose: to create change and beauty through his voice.
“Piece by Piece” is an innovative and much-needed experimental documentary that showcases the successes and shortcomings of the highly regarded prodigy Pharell Williams. It comes as a breath of fresh air in a time when cinema tends to focus on the fall of individuals rather than their redemption. Whether it be its cultural significance or the present themes of God, viewers of all kinds will be able to find a piece that resonates with them.
