Piece by Piece & Better Man are Music Biopics With Legos & CGI Monkey

Legendary musicians Pharrell Williams and Robbie Williams — unrelated despite their shared surname — are each choosing to tell their life stories through unconventional mediums.

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 to fame as one half of the hip-hop and R&B production duo The Neptunes.

Pharrell was on the ground in Colorado for the Patron’s Brunch on Friday morning, mingling with high-profile guests, including some AMPAS voters. “I’m so excited to be at a festival that doesn’t show many animated movies, but they chose mine,” he told Variety.

Following the press orientation at the Werner Herzog Theatre, it was announced that “Piece by Piece” would be the surprise patron 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 at 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, seeking awards recognition in the animated feature category. However, the film will also be submitted in the documentary feature 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 recalls the 2021 documentary “The Rescue,” which also used limited re-creation scenes but was ultimately snubbed by the Documentary Branch.

“Piece by Piece” will also be vying for attention in other Oscar categories. While 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 has potential for commercial success.

The movie includes five original songs, with the closing track — co-written by Pharrell and sharing the film’s title — poised as the likely submission for the best original song category.

Focus is also mounting a best picture campaign for the movie, and animation is a medium aching to be recognized in the Oscars’ top category. And it doesn’t have to be only 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, with Robbie Williams and Michael Gracey introducing. He also appeared at the brunch, where he described his life to Variety as “fucked-up,” but incredibly eager to share his story with the world.

Boy, does the film pack a wallop, following the singer’s humble beginnings as one part of the boy band Take That.

As expected with music biopics, Williams battles fame, adultery and addiction. However, Williams bares his soul, voicing the walking and talking ape as if it was pulled straight out of a “Planet of the Apes” movie.

In terms of its awards prospects, the tearjerking crowdpleaser has the makings of previous Oscar embraced biopics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Walk the Line.” The crafts, particularly visual effects, sound and production design are worthy of major consideration. In addition, if you thought cinephiles were passionate about banging 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 depiction of an artist who isn’t as well-known in the U.S. and can still be a discovery for the audience.

Artists are vulnerable this year, and we’re seeing a new, refreshing way to tell their stories.