Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets

This easy-going film about the British band that seemed happy to keep things domestic is part concert footage, part "where are they now" and a little bit of "surely this is set-up" magic, centered around Pulp's final Sheffield concert in December 2012.

Most people will want to know if it would be good watch, even if they only sort-of like Pulp's music. Well I think it is. Pulp still sound very good in 2014 and it is refreshing to hear a band express sentiments that they actually live by. They are in many ways the antithesis of the fame-game which is hinted at which the various references to everyday working-class life, although the frequent references to "regular people" and the slightly self-conscious adoration of common people could be a little grating for some.

An off-the-cuff interview with some local siblings was a personal highlight, as were the sections with Jarvis alone, although I was left wanting more Jarvis one-to-one time as he comes across as a really interesting guy.

Like the band it's unpretentious and fun, with an underlying profound message. You'll probably enjoy this if you like Pulp and you'll probably adore it if you're a fan.

It's not what you would expect from a music documentary, as it goes way beyond the music and into a deeper level. The approach of the director is very unique and he was able to magically connect the micro and macro on this wonderful film. Somehow after watching the movie the name of it makes sense, and you can a glance of reality and not just star dust and praises to the music, and band, but to the people around it. It's a very intimate film that shows the band and especially lead singer Jarvis Cocker in ways that yet to be seen on screen and I recommend this film to music lovers and to people who don't know the band, this film doesn't require any previous knowledge in order to enjoy it.

As a native of Sheffield who lives overseas and an occasional Pulp admirer who met Jarvis Cocker while out drinking in Sheffield in 1985(at least I remember)! of course I enjoyed this film. It's warm and rare portrayal of Sheffield and it's people provided me with many 'that was my life' moments and much nostalgia. But this isn't about me. The film aligns the band with ordinary working class, unassuming, self-deprecating people, the majority of Sheffield's population I believe, the state-housed or working/lower-middle classes. Jarvis himself is from a different stratum of society but that needn't matter. The film portrays those people sympathetically and allows their light to shine in a way that normally wouldn't be revealed. The music is good - it's Pulp. If you are interested in music documentaries, it's worth a look.

This is a film about the people of Sheffield and one Pulp concert, rather than the band's career. I thought it was hilarious, and extremely well made, and not at all what I was expecting. The ordinary people of Sheffield (I will avoid saying 'common') are varied and entertaining, and the concert footage is superb. There are many highlights, but I will outline a few of my favourite moments: Steve Mackey's explanation of why playing to people from Sheffield is so nerve-wracking, the performance of 'Help the Aged', the knife maker, Candida's honesty and everything Nick Banks says. Pulp have always presented pop music in an unusual and entertaining way, and this documentary is fitting of that legacy.

Just a great film for a pulp fan that exposes itself to real people