Legendary musicians Pharrell Williams and Robbie Williams – not related despite their shared surname – each choose to tell their life stories through unconventional media.
Pharrell’s story is brought to life in Focus Features’ ‘Piece by Piece’, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville, known for his documentary ’20 Feet from Stardom’. The film uses Lego bricks to depict Pharrell’s early life, focusing on his roots in Virginia Beach and his rise as one half of the hip-hop and R&B production duo The Neptunes.
Pharrell was in Colorado for the Patron’s Brunch on Friday morning and mingled with high-profile guests, including some AMPAS constituents. “I’m so excited to be at a festival that doesn’t show many animated films, but they chose mine,” he said Variety.
After the press briefing at the Werner Herzog Theater, it was announced that ‘Piece by Piece’ would be the patrons’ surprise screening that afternoon. Telluride attendees were treated to a glimpse into the imagination of one of modern music’s greatest artists. Many of Pharrell’s friends and entourage were in the packed theater, eagerly watching his latest venture unfold.
The film features interviews with many of Pharrell’s contemporaries – including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Timbaland, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake and Busta Rhymes – each depicted in Lego form. Focus Features is marketing “Piece by Piece” as an animated music biopic and is aiming for recognition in the animated film category. However, the film will also be entered in the documentary film category, despite the Documentary Branch’s historical reluctance to embrace films that use re-creation scenes or unconventional storytelling methods.
Pharrell narrates much of the film, recounting childhood memories brought to life through animation. The film’s innovative approach is reminiscent of the 2021 documentary ‘The Rescue’, which also used limited scenes of recreation but was ultimately rejected by the Documentary Branch.
“Piece by Piece” will also compete for attention in other Oscar categories. Although Lego movies have been snubbed in the past, the Academy allows members outside the Animation Branch to vote for the nominees. With its robust soundtrack featuring hits from the ’90s and 2000s, the film is expected to resonate with millennials and fans of the genre and have potential for commercial success.
The film features five original songs, with the closing song – co-written by Pharrell and sharing the film’s title – likely to be the entry for the best original songs category.
Focus is also creating a best picture campaign for the film, and animation is a medium eager to be included in the Oscars’ top category. And it doesn’t have to be just one either.
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures’ musical biopic “Better Man,” directed by Michael Gracey (“The Greatest Showman”), tells the story of British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, but with an unexpected twist: Robbie is depicted as a CGI monkey.
The film bowed at the Chuck Jones Theater, introducing Robbie Williams and Michael Gracey. He also appeared at the brunch, where he described his life Variety like ‘fucked-up’, but incredibly excited to share his story with the world.
Boy, does the movie pack a punch, after the singer’s humble beginnings as part of the boy band Take That.
As expected with music biopics, Williams battles fame, adultery and addiction. However, Williams bares his soul and makes the walking, talking ape sound like it was taken straight out of a ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie.
In terms of its chances of winning, the tear-jerking crowd-pleaser bears the marks of previous Oscar-embraced biopics such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Walk the Line’. The craftsmanship, especially the visual effects, sound and production design, deserves great attention. Plus, if you thought cinephiles were passionate about beating the drum for Andy Serkis’ turn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films, there’s a strong case to be made for Williams’ impeccable voice work as he unapologetically lays it all out : injecting a raw and honest representation of an artist who is not well known in the US and yet can be a discovery for the audience.
Artists are vulnerable this year and we see a new, refreshing way to tell their stories.
