A Recap of The Movie ‘Piece By Piece’
Written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Focus Features
Photo via Focus Features
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Character Photos: ‘Piece By Piece’
Plot Synopsis: 'Piece By Piece’ (2024)
The film begins in a Lego Universe, with Lego Pharrel Williams, iconic music producer and artist, sitting down with a Lego producer named Morgan Neville, telling him of his plans to get his biopic made. He wants it done unconventionally, using Lego. This way, he can incorporate the color, vibrancy, and unconventionality he brings to music to the big screen. The producer is surprised, but encourages Pharrel to tell him more.
Pharrell Williams stars in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
Pharrell then begins to detail his beginnings, starting with his obsession with water, informing us he came from ‘the mud’ of Atlantis, right at the bottom of the sea. He is touched by King Triton’s scepter, which leads Pharrel to have a lifelong fixation on water, as it informs all that he does. He details his childhood in Virginia Beach, less than a mile from Atlantis. He grew up in the projects, detailing his magical childhood watching the Blue Angels fly over his home. In Venice Beach, Pharrell could see music ‘bounce off the walls’. He was mesmerized by music, staring into the lights of the speakers, being entirely transfixed by sounds. He says he sees colors, synesthesia, not seen with the conventional eye. His Lego parents, Pharaoh and Carolyn, are interviewed, telling of Pharrell’s fixation on their old records, knowing that one day, he was destined for greatness.
Snoop Dogg in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
Pharrel was heavily inspired by Carl Sagan, an infamous astronomer, at a young age, which left him outcasted from the rest of his peers. He talks about the first time he made music as a child, using his grandmother's kitchen utensils to create beats. She eventually buys him a drum set and encourages him to make music. Pharrell also talks about his struggles in school, failing the seventh grade twice. He never felt as though he fit in, as he only lived within his own dreamland.
Pharrell Williams stars in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
Pharrel then begins to describe the early creation of his hip-hop group in the 90’s, called Surrounded by Idiots, with childhood friend Chad Hugo, Magoo, and his cousin and another iconic music producer, Timbaland. Later, Lego Timbaland would introduce Pharrell to Lego Missy Elliot, Supa Dupa Fly herself. Lego Missy talks about working with Pharrell and their shared passion for music and sounds. Missy, Timberland, and Pharrel are all under the belief that there is “something in the water” in Virginia.
Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
The film then further explores Pharrel’s working relationship with Chad Hugo, and the first time they ever made music together, calling it ‘pure magic’. He remembers when Future Records opened up down the street from his high school and superstar producer Teddy Riley moved in, calling the experience ‘a pure blessing from the Universe”. Lego Teddy Riley is interviewed and describes how he and Pharrel came to meet, from a school talent show where the winner could come to Future studios and work with Teddy Riley himself. Pharrell and his then band, The Neptunes take the stage, impressing Teddy Riley enough to make them a record deal.
Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
While busy helping Michael Jackson record Dangerous, Teddy Riley teaches Pharrell discipline, hard work, and pure determination. Teddy asks Pharell to freestyle rap on a track that he’s working on, thinking that he didn’t have what it took to freestyle. This eventually becomes his first feature on a song, 1992 hit by Wreckx-n-Effect’s Rump Shaker. He talks about his meteoricrise to stardom and blowing his first big music royalty paycheck at nineteen years old, as well as his issues with Riley and being signed to a major label.
Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
As his success grows, Pharrell struggles with landing work to produce. Many artists take his beats, but do not let him produce. Though he eventually overcomes this obstacle, landing his first producing job, Noreaga's 1998 single "Superthug". He then goes on to explain the Neptune's rise to success, producing records for Jay-Z, Britney Spears, and Nelly. He’s living the hip-hop life, but he makes a continuous effort to not look hip-hop at all. Now after producing so heavily for others, Pharrell steps away for a moment and develops a new band, this time called N.E.R.D., finally releasing his own album.
Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
As Pharell grows into his artistry, the hits keep on coming, with one of his biggest being ‘Hollaback Girl’ by Gwen Stefani, which topped the charts. Pharrell and Lego Gwen talk about the song and its legacy, how it was working together, and Stefani’s testament to Pharrell's musical genius. He goes onto release his first ever solo album, In My Mind, and then works further with legends like Madonna and Jay-Z.
Director Morgan Neville and Pharrell Williams in their film 'Piece By Piece' ● Photo Credit: Focus Features
His success wanes and Pharrell retreats, only for him to come back with his three largest hits, ‘Happy’,’Blurred Lines’, and ‘Get Lucky’. Pharrel and his long list of famous collaborators go back and forth with talking about how their music is made together, the process in which Pharrell collaborates, and the genius of how he hears music. The film culminates with an event called, Something in the Water, harkening back to Pharrel’s love and adoration of water. The concert series features huge superstars, and is a great bookend to Phharrel’s long-storied career so far, with another tenure very soon to come.
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