**2024: A Milestone Year for Music Biopics**

The year 2024 has proven to be an exhilarating time for music biopics, despite its tepid beginning. While *One Love* offered a predictable depiction of Bob Marley’s existence and *Back to Black* left many feeling dissatisfied with its representation of Amy Winehouse, the genre gained fresh momentum as the months went on.

The summer brought *Kneecap*, a rebellious and gritty film reminiscent of the early crime dramas by Guy Ritchie. Subsequently, the Toronto International Film Festival showcased two remarkable films: *Better Man*, which reinvents British pop icon Robbie Williams as a literal dancing monkey, and *Piece By Piece*, a groundbreaking animated biopic where Pharrell Williams narrates his life through LEGO.

Although both films embrace the traditional rags-to-riches storyline, their distinctive storytelling methods differentiate them. *Better Man* offers an unrefined, raw viewpoint, while *Piece By Piece*, helmed by renowned documentarian Morgan Neville (*20 Feet From Stardom, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?*), opts for a more uplifting, family-friendly approach.

### *Piece By Piece* Brings Hip-Hop Legends to LEGO Life

To craft the film’s storyline, Neville engaged with Pharrell Williams, his wife Helen Lasichanh, and an impressive roster of collaborators, including Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Chad Hugo, and Gwen Stefani. Notably, many of these artists were unaware their interviews would be transformed into LEGO animations until the first trailer debuted.

Neville’s imaginative vision injects a playful vitality into the film. Snoop Dogg appears as a LEGO Doberman, while visual metaphors—such as Pharrell “selling beats”—are humorously portrayed with LEGO Pharrell operating a bakery. A memorable scene features a minifigure’s head popping off in astonishment, visually showcasing the awe inspired by a phenomenal beat. These whimsical elements perfectly align with the lively, infectious essence of Williams’ most popular tracks, such as *Happy* and *Get Lucky*.

Beyond the humor, the LEGO medium permits Williams to reflect on his life as though it were one of his numerous creative undertakings. The film reconstructs his childhood home in Virginia Beach and presents his formative years in a fantastical Atlantis-inspired scene, where young Pharrell swims alongside a colossal goldfish under Poseidon’s vigilant gaze. This surreal narrative underscores the limitless imagination that has propelled his career.

### A Tale of Determination and Innovation

As a youngster, Williams felt like an outsider, confessing that being unique “broke his spirit.” Yet, he eventually discovered his community—other music aficionados who shared his passion. *Piece By Piece* emerges as a tribute to perseverance, highlighting the significance of remaining authentic and achieving success incrementally.

The film deftly incorporates Williams’ musical odyssey, showcasing hits like *Hot in Herre*, *Shake Ya Ass*, *Hollaback Girl*, and *Blurred Lines* (with certain lyrics subtly modified for younger viewers). Although it’s entertaining to observe iconic music videos transformed into LEGO format, the novelty begins to diminish as the film heavily relies on name-dropping and track mentions.

### *Piece By Piece* Sidesteps Its Darker Episodes

In spite of its merits, the film stumbles when it comes to addressing the tribulations in Williams’ professional journey. While childhood challenges are illustrated with a nostalgic sheen, the film refrains from engaging with the more challenging chapters of his career. Instead of probing into setbacks, the narrative swiftly glosses over them with vague nods to poor business choices and misleading advisors, depicted as eerie, gray-skinned LEGO figures.

This unwillingness to confront hardships undermines the film’s message. Genuine resilience encompasses not only triumphs but also the ability to surmount challenges. While *Better Man* delves into the complexities of its subject’s life, *Piece By Piece* bypasses the more difficult instances, choosing instead a quick return to celebration.

### A Cheerful, If Somewhat Cautious, Musical Adventure

Despite its reservations, *Piece By Piece* stands out as a creative and imaginative interpretation of the music biopic genre. The LEGO animation masterfully illustrates the creative journey, depicting how Williams perceives music through color and motion, reminiscent of how *Ratatouille* did for cuisine.

While the film’s light-hearted execution renders it approachable for younger audiences, there lingers a desire for it to take additional risks in exploring the intricacies of adulthood. Nonetheless, *Piece By Piece* is a charming, visually inventive film that is sure to leave viewers smiling—and possibly even grooving in the aisles.

**Now streaming on Peacock.**