In typically acerbic form, Stephen Malkmus said: “Has there ever been a good movie made about a rock band?” – that question pops up early in Alex Ross Perry’s latest film Pavements. As a film, it’s harder to pin down than the most obscure of Pavement ‘B’ sides. On paper, everything about it shouldn’t work. First of all, it’s a film about a band who didn’t really want to be the subject of a film. It’s also an incredibly meta mash up of spoof rock biopic, indie-musical Slanted! Enchanted!, rock doc and even an exhibition.
But, happily, not only does it work, it’s incredibly entertaining, heartfelt and funny. All the disparate parts in Pavements are woven together like a perfect mix tape. The infamous Lollapalooza mud incident revisited by intercutting archive footage with the fake biopic fallout is a particular highlight. Actors Joe Keery and Natt Wolff are a delight in their “making of” appearances as Stephen Malkmus and Spiral Stairs(Scott Kannberg). And that quote Malkmus quote from the start of this review? All part of the act too, just like Range Life: A Pavement Story (and the ‘making of’ said film).
The film’s straightest rock-doc elements don’t shy away from the band’s difficult moments, such as interpersonal relationships breaking down, and Stephen Malkmus’ famously tricky relationship with journalists. What makes it work is that it’s clearly made with a deep, geeky love for Pavement – but isn’t pure navel-gazing or hagiography either. Alex Ross Perry gently makes fun of earnest music film tropes like band vs music management showdowns. “The band that ruined Lollapalooza… Is that what you want your legacy to be!?” – a garishly-shirted, brilliant Jason Schwartzman yells as Matador Records head honcho Chris Lombardi in a scene from faux-biopic Range Life: A Pavement Story. #
The acerbic humour is also balanced by joyful moments from the band’s more recent 2022 reunion tours. And it’s interesting to see them being interviewed as slightly more mellow, middle aged men of indie rock, vs the snarky slackers of the 90s. Perhaps that’s helped by the presence of former Wild Flag keyboardist Rebecca Cole, who joined Pavement during 2022-2023.
As a Xennial indie-kid who came of age in the 90s, heavily soundtracked by Pavement, I feel very seen as the target audience for this film. It’s definitely one for the heads’, although as seen with the recent Slowdive reunion, it isn’t all plaid shirts and trucker caps anymore (thankfully) – the band have younger fans hungry for those Goldsoundz these days too.
Yes, Stephen Malkmus, there have been many great films made about rock bands, including yours now. This is a film best watched with other fans, and (of course) a Pavement soundtrack on the stereee-oh-oh for a listening party after.