TORONTO (AP) — The music biopic genre often follows a familiar path, as seen in "Piece by Piece," which tells the story of producer-turned-pop star Pharrell Williams, and "Better Man," focused on British singer Robbie Williams. Both films explore themes such as the young artist’s dream of breaking through, the creative lulls they faced, and the nearly absurd phases of fame that come with excess.
However, these two films introduce some quirky twists. In "Piece by Piece," Pharrell is depicted as a Lego character, while "Better Man" features Robbie portrayed by a computer-generated monkey.
Though music biopics can sometimes feel repetitive, these films, both premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this week, offer a refreshing take. Each film has its respective Williams narrating his life story, but rather than featuring traditional actors, they employ animated versions of themselves to play out fantastical versions of their lives.
Despite their different musical styles, both Williams have navigated unconventional careers. Their films reflect their unique identities and help them stand out in a sea of music biopics like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Rocketman."
"This film is about embracing who you truly are, even if it defies categorization," Pharrell shared during an interview with director Morgan Neville. Next to him stood a two-foot-tall Lego sculpture of himself, which later took its own seat at the premiere.
The whimsical experience of watching "Piece by Piece," set to be released by Focus Features on October 11, is surprisingly entertaining. Audiences can expect to see a range of unexpected visuals, including Virginia Beach, the place where Pharrell grew up, and a Lego representation of Stevie Wonder’s classic album "Songs in the Key of Life."
"I’m incredibly thankful that everyone agreed to be a part of this," Pharrell remarked. "From Morgan to Lego, to Focus and Universal—it all came together in a remarkable way."
Neville, known for his work on "20 Feet From Stardom," "Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" and the recent Steve Martin documentary, approached "Piece by Piece" like a documentary. He interviewed figures like Missy Elliott and Kendrick Lamar via Zoom, revealing they would be animated but leaving out how that would be executed.
Pharrell as a Lego is a heartwarming portrayal, symbolizing his playful nature and his talent for crafting beats, as he shaped his own future.
"We didn’t choose Lego as a gimmick but because it captures the essence of the story we wanted to tell," Neville explained.
"Piece by Piece" is poised to compete in both the Best Documentary and Best Animated Film categories at the Academy Awards, along with a Best Song nomination for original tracks created by Pharrell.
The concept of "Better Man" stemmed from filmmaker Michael Gracey, who previously directed "The Greatest Showman." He approached Robbie Williams with a playful question: "What animal do you see yourself as?"
With a broad smile, Robbie initially declared himself a lion. But upon reflection, he conceded that the more fitting answer was a monkey.
In "Better Man," actor Jonno Davies plays Robbie, but audiences don’t see him directly. Similar to the production process of "Planet of the Apes," Davies performed in a motion-capture suit while a digital chimpanzee was superimposed over his image, with Robbie’s eyes incorporated into the monkey.
While "Piece by Piece" caters to a broader audience, "Better Man" is rated R and does not shy away from highlighting the wild side of rock ‘n’ roll, including outrageous moments like a monkey indulging in an excessive amount of cocaine.
This unusual presentation raises an intriguing question: Is Robbie more relatable as a wounded animal than as a human? Regardless, he appreciates the final product.
"For a narcissist, seeing yourself portrayed this way is an absolute delight," he said, grinning after the screening. "I’ve watched it three times already, and that’s still not enough!"
For more information about the Toronto International Film Festival, visit https://apnews.com/hub/toronto-international-film-festival.
