Pharrell Williams’ new auto-biographical documentary Piece by Piece released on October 11, 2024.
In response to criticism of the film’s lego format, the day before the public release of the movie, Pharrell said over a zoom interview that, “When you’re looking to do something that’s never happened before, it always sounds crazy.”
The local references throughout the film make Piece by Piece special to Virginia Beach natives. The movie opens with a lego Pharrell staring up at the Neptune Statue on 31st street as the Blue Angels fly above. Other allusions to Virginia Beach such as Mount Trashmore, Something in the Water, and the Oceanfront, are also present throughout the movie.
Another thrilling local mention is Princess Anne High School. The school’s band is mentioned in the movie, and they were asked to play during its premiere. During the preparations for this movie, and throughout much of his career, Pharrell has worked to give back to our community.
Each Virginia Beach City Public Schools high school student received one free ticket to the movie. Along with this, Pharrell also visited his childhood neighborhood, Atlantis Apartments, just before the release.
The movie follows his life from his childhood to a young adult, to his most recent accomplishments. It shows his journey through music, from being scouted at a school talent show, to being an intern at a recording studio, to growing his knowledge and creating hits.
The movie expresses his growth through the music and plays many of his hit songs in chronological order. The movie features guests such as Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Chad Hugo (whose daughter, Raina, graduated from Salem), Timbaland (also a Salem grad), Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot and Tyler The Creator (playing his mentor).
The movie also shows how Pharrell has impacted not only music, but also the fashion community with his clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club. Pharrell altered streetwear fashion by pairing with Japanese fashion icon Nigo. Some may argue that his fashion influences are just as impactful as his music.
Obviously, one of the most fascinating parts of the movie was the Lego aspect. It really aligns with his perspective as a creator and artist. The use of lego animation captures his mind and the setting without taking any attention away from the story.
The legos captured the essence of Virginia Beach and its culture. In one of the opening scenes, young Pharrell sits in front of a Lego record player and the colors bounce off the sound, while transferring Pharrell into a subconscious state of music, all of which is shown using legos.
Noticeably, the music is a very important part of the movie. The music helps keep the timeline and effortlessly moves into each chapter of the story.
Pharrell starts by playing music by his first band The Neptunes and shows how they were noticed, and then they play his personal work and work with other recording artists, and then his work with the band N.E.R.D.
Getting to hear the real artist’s portrayed as legos talking to Pharrell, who is also played by Legos, about real-world events really calls on your creativity and imagination just to understand the movie on a deeper level.
This movie speaks to all creators, especially musicians, about what the process is like to become a star. It emphasizes that no matter where you grow up, you can find opportunities. Piece By Piece is playing in local movie theaters and is also available for online purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Video.
The Piece By Piece movie soundtrack goes through Pharrell’s career and the artists he’s worked with. Additionally it shows artists that also started from Virginia Beach and grew to have successful music careers.
