Story
Piece by Piece is a biography of the extraordinary life of Pharrell Williams (voiced by Pharrell Williams), using Lego animation. Lego pieces are used as a metaphor for his life, which is deconstructed, piece by piece, and then put together again. This allows us to better understand where Pharrell has come from and where he’s going.
The movie has several interviews, which tell Pharrell’s story from his early obscurity as an aspiring artist in Virginia Beach to his life now as a global music icon. The movie explores the highs, lows and challenges of Pharrell’s career, the negative and positive effects of certain people on his life, and the lessons he’s learned. The interviews and flashbacks to Pharrell’s earlier life are interspersed with vibrant musical animations, creating a unique cinematic experience.
Themes
Unbridled ambition; the dangers of becoming egotistical; racism; rejection; arrogance; greed at the expense of personal values
Violence
Piece by Piece has some violence. For example:
- Pharrell is knocked on the head.
- Pharrell crashes out of a building on a huge wave. He’s abandoned and alone in the ocean, stuck in a whirlpool that is dragging him down.
- There is mention of the ‘popo’ (police) ‘killing us dead in the street’.
- The movie shows the demonstrations after George Floyd was killed. The killing is not shown, but its racial implications are clear.
Sexual references
Piece by Piece has some sexual references. For example:
- Pharrell co-wrote the song ‘Rump shaker’, which is featured in the movie.
- A character says, ‘I can make the girls get hot and go crazy’.
- One character looks suggestively at another.
- The lyrics of a song are played, including the words, ‘She’s up all night to get some … she’s up all night to get lucky’.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Piece by Piece shows some use of substances. For example:
- Characters drink water from wine glasses.
- Characters drink wine from wine glasses.
- Characters pop champagne in an airplane.
- Characters drinks Pharrell’s signature Pink Liquor.
- Characters drink at a party.
Nudity and sexual activity
Piece by Piece has some nudity and sexual activity. For example, some Lego characters wear skimpy bikinis in a pool.
Product placement
The following products and brands are displayed or used in Piece by Piece:
- Lego logo and products
- Aretha Franklin records
- Chanel
- Louis Vuitton
- McDonald’s
- Vans shoes
- Despicable Me and the song ‘Happy’
- YouTube
- Lotus enzyme exfoliator
- Pharrell Williams’s Qream Liquor collection and Billionaire Boys Club clothing brand
- Kleenex tissues
- Holiday Inn.
Coarse language
Piece by Piece has some coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Piece by Piece is a animated musical biography of a music icon. The movie has many interviews with people who have helped Pharrell, as well as vibrant musical numbers, including his original song ‘Piece by Piece’.
Piece by Piece seems to be a movie for children, but it will probably lack interest for most children unless they are fans of Pharrell Williams or Lego. The movie is best suited to audiences aged over 15 years.
These are the main messages from Piece by Piece:
- Persevere, no matter how many obstacles are placed in your path.
- We all have the potential to change our lives.
- We should all ask ourselves where we shine the brightest and how we can best use our special gifts to serve the world.
Values in Piece by Piece that you could reinforce with your children include perseverance, creativity, resilience, integrity, teamwork and collaboration.
Piece by Piece could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the importance of staying true to yourself and your core values and not being influenced by others, especially those who just want to use you for their own gain.