Why does Pharrell's biopic sidestep Blurred Lines?

Pharrell Williams, a well-known musician, has recently released a new documentary titled 'Piece By Piece. ' This film stands out from other music documentaries because it is entirely animated using Lego figures. In the movie, Pharrell is depicted as a Lego character, complete with his signature hat, a blue shirt, and a black bow tie. Critics have praised the film for its unique visual style, describing it as innovative and imaginative. However, some reviewers have raised questions about the film's decision to omit a significant part of Pharrell's musical history, particularly his involvement in the song 'Blurred Lines. ' This song, which Pharrell co-wrote with Robin Thicke, became a massive hit but was also embroiled in controversy due to a plagiarism trial. The trial concluded that Pharrell and Thicke had copied the essence of Marvin Gaye's song 'Got To Give It Up,' rather than directly stealing a melody. This ruling has sparked considerable debate within the music industry, as many believe it blurred the lines between inspiration and theft. In an interview with the BBC, director Morgan Neville explained that he initially intended to address the 'Blurred Lines' controversy in the documentary. He even conducted an interview with Robin Thicke, but ultimately decided against including it in the final cut. Neville stated, 'I definitely thought about it. I even interviewed Robin Thicke. But every time I looked at trying to work it in, it felt like it belonged in a different movie. ' He felt that the inclusion of the legal battle would detract from the story he wanted to tell about Pharrell's life and creativity. The director expressed his belief that the verdict in the 'Blurred Lines' case was one of the worst judicial decisions regarding creativity in history. He noted that many creatives share his view, asserting that Pharrell was in the right. Neville's decision to exclude this narrative stemmed from his desire to focus on Pharrell's personal journey rather than the legal issues surrounding the song. He remarked, 'It's not like Pharrell learned a big lesson from the case. I don't know if it actually changed him in any way, which is what I'm looking for when I'm looking at a story. ' Pharrell has not yet provided any comments regarding this omission. Morgan Neville is an accomplished documentary filmmaker, having won an Oscar for his previous work, '20 Feet From Stardom,' which explored the lives of backup singers in the music industry. He has also directed films about other iconic musicians, including Keith Richards and Johnny Cash. In 'Piece By Piece,' Neville shares insights into how the project came to fruition and how he managed to collaborate with Lego. He recounted the moment Pharrell proposed the idea of a Lego documentary, expressing his initial surprise but eventual excitement. Pharrell conveyed that people have always wanted to hear his story, but he had never been interested in sharing it until he saw Neville's previous films. He suggested that Neville could create a documentary about him, and once it was completed, they could reimagine it using Lego. This idea intrigued Neville, who realized that making a Lego film would not simply involve transforming real-life footage into Lego animation. Instead, it would allow for creative storytelling techniques, such as time travel and exploring fantastical concepts that traditional documentaries cannot achieve. The process of bringing this idea to life took about a year, as they needed to engage with Lego to discuss the project. During their discussions, Neville emphasized that while the film would not be rated G, it also could not be R-rated. He explained that the film would tackle important topics, including race, and Lego was receptive to these discussions. They recognized that these conversations would be beneficial for their brand, even though they did not provide funding for the film. To demonstrate the film's potential, Neville created a 90-second proof of concept, featuring Pharrell as a child listening to music on his parents' stereo. This scene illustrated Pharrell's synaesthesia, a condition that allows him to perceive music as colors and shapes. This proof of concept helped convince everyone involved that the film would be successful. The animation in the film effectively captures Pharrell's unique way of experiencing music, showcasing his creative process and the challenges he faced along the way. The documentary also highlights Pharrell's journey of rediscovering his artistic muse after a period of feeling lost creatively. The narrative follows a young boy from Virginia who sees the world differently and how he eventually found success in the music industry. As 'Piece By Piece' prepares for its release, audiences are eager to see how this innovative approach to storytelling will resonate with viewers.