MOVIE OF THE WEEK #2 (10/11/24): PIECE BY PIECE

"You know, even as LEGO® men, no one know what the heck Daft Punk looks like under these helmets!" Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams take the stage in a scene from director Morgan Neville’s PIECE BY PIECE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

WWATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

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KEY CAST MEMBERS: Gabriel Labelle, Cooper Hoffman, Rachel Sennott, Ella Hunt, Cory Michael Smith, Dylan O'Brien, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Nicholas Braun, Kim Matula, Tommy Dewey, Nicolas Podnay, Ellen Boscov, Emily Fairn, Andrew Feldman, Taylor Gray and Mcabe Gregg with J.K. Simmons and Willem Dafoe

DIRECTOR: Morgan Neville

THE BACK STORY: Pharrell Williams is nothing short of a modern day musical wunderkind. He's produced scores of hits for some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, R&B and even pop music, not to mention his work with his band N*E*R*D (No One Ever Really Dies) and his solo career. But how in the world did a kid who grew up feeling like an outsider in Virginia grow into one of the most influential music composers of the last 35 years? Through the magic of LEGO®, director Morgan Neville – along with 3D animated versions of some of music's most important figures – seeks to explain how he built up his career PIECE BY PIECE. 

 

THE REVIEW: A story presented in a format that captures the childlike imagination, whimsy and dreams that inspired its subject, PIECE BY PIECE shows that there is not only life in LEGO® filmmaking, but why Williams' story is one worth telling. In doing so, the film delivers a portrait of an artist that despite making millions, feels relatable to men, women and children worldwide who dare to be creative and follow their dreams.

An animated documentary, let alone one told through animated bricks – let alone one that has to follow scores of LEGO® films that were essentially comedies or traditional comic book-style tales – wouldn't work for most people. With PIECE BY PIECE, however, we are given an extraordinary insight into Williams' mind, the path he took to become who he is and the passions that drive him. But in exploring those passions and seeing how they impacted his journey, moviegoers are treated to a story visually is suited for children, but delivers insights directed at the inner child in all of us.

Director Morgan Neville makes wonderful use of the LEGO® format, using the notorious bricks many a parent has stepped on in the middle of the night to showcase different emotions with an Inside Out-like flair. The whimsical figures relay the happiness of Pharrell's big break and realization of when he has a hit on his hands exceptionally; likewise, disappointments, failure and loss seemingly hit harder watching the animated spirit that is Williams' fade in his darkest moments. PIECE BY PIECE works so well in both instances due to the inherent nature of both toys and, as its subject mentions in the film, the ability to use them to craft a world out of one's own desires and creativity. 

The LEGO® format allows Neville to bring the complexities of Williams' creativity and worldview to life in a manner that might not work as well in a traditional format, leading to eye catching imagery memorable as the soundtrack. Remarkably, one needn't be a Williams fan to enjoy the storytelling of the film nor catch the inspiration it provides (although it certainly would help - brush up on your Golden Era hip-hop and 90s R&B, kids!).

In inviting us to come experience his story, Williams will likely end up inspiring the film's audience to go explore their own ... And that, in addition to clever humor, perfectly sequenced storytelling and a thumping soundtrack, is what makes PIECE BY PIECE a masterpiece.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):