Piece by Piece

Charting Pharrell Williams’ vibrant career with a conventional documentary would have never been satisfying enough. Fittingly, Piece by Piece tells his story entirely with LEGO, for a bright, bouncy, and energetic treatment that captures the multi-hyphenate musician’s unyielding creative spirit.

The film takes us through Pharrell’s spirited upbringing in Virginia, his first job at a record label, the start of production duo the Neptunes with Chad Hugo, the formation of the band N.E.R.D., and beyond.

When nobody wants to give him a shot as a singer and performer, Pharrell pivots to producing, giving him new fuel that blasts him into orbit, working with artists like Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg, all also presented in LEGO form and who talk about Pharrell’s unique vision and golden touch. But, as the film also shows, being in the stratosphere doesn’t come without a cost.

With Piece by Piece, Oscar-winning documentarian Morgan Neville adds another feather to an already prolific directing career. Here, he represents Pharrell’s signature beats as little LEGO sculptures. They pop and come to life as his songs develop before exploding into hits familiar as Pharrell tracks as well as some not necessarily attributed to him. Brimming with charm and visual panache, Piece by Piece is a sensory delight.

CAMERON BAILEY