‘Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore?’ Review
Much like most shows, Pulp’s concert film began with its own opening act. Frontman Jarvis Cocker and the film’s director, Garth Jennings, sit side-by-side in a car driving through London, reminiscing about how they first met.
The sweet moment, however, gets partially overshadowed by “Common People” playing in the background of their conversation. This split sets the tone for the rest of the film, asking the question: Are you here to sing along or to learn about the origin story?
During their chat, Jennings also details how his previous work — including helming the Sing franchise and working on The Secret Life of Pets — has predominantly been animated. Long before that though, the English director made Pulp’s music videos for 1997’s “Help the Aged” and 1998’s “A Little Soul” through his co-production company, Hammer and Tongs.
Jennings brings both of those directorial experiences full circle in MUBI’s What Do You Do for an Encore? by weaving between Pulp’s 2025 O2 concert footage and animating tiny details within the band’s archives, like music notes or fashion drawings from Cocker’s former notebook.
However, the constant shift between the live concert to Cocker narrating his journey after every song makes the two formats lose their traction. You don’t fully get pulled into Pulp’s performance, which, at the time, was their return after a decade-long hiatus. The band was also celebrating another No. 1 album in their discography with 2025’s More, which they made sure to highlight during the O2 performance. For such a special moment, feeling the crowd’s energy at times falls a little flat.
Although Cocker is the guiding presence, the other band members of past and present also get their chance to shine. While he’s the only remaining member, the documentary makes note about everyone who has been a part of Pulp’s various iterations, but especially the impact of Russell Senior, Candida Doyle, Mark Webber, Nick Banks, and the late Steve Mackey, who receives an emotional tribute montage.
During the various vignettes, Cocker speaks often about his love for television as a child, and how that passion played a role in defining Pulp’s direction. “This film will be like going to a jumble sale. Sifting through piles of rubbish to find the gold we need to tell a story,” he says at one point during the documentary.
A few years before Mackey’s passing, the band ultimately decides to take another break from 2013 to 2022, but not much else is explained. Were there tensions within the group? What are the stakes? What led them to ultimately reunite? Sure, these are things you could arguably find with a simple Google search, but the vignettes felt too focused on the golden moments without any of the rubbish ones.
Those who are new to Pulp as a band get a basic understanding of their history, and maybe leave the theater with a few new favorite songs. However, longtime fans will also have something to enjoy as the group embarks on their third indefinite hiatus.
★★★1/2
Streaming on MUBI from 25th September / Jarvis Cocker / Dir: Garth Jennings
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