I came to Rush later in life. During the 70s and 80s, I was definitely more of a pop kid (though Tom Sawyer seemed to permeate even the geek culture I was in), but when I found them- introduced to a co-worker who suggested 2112- I became a fan. I listened to all of their albums, jamming to Geddy Lee’s rumbling bass, Alex Lifeson’s lead guitar, and of course, Neil Peart’s intricate and amazing drum fills. His percussive work drove the band, his lyrics created the songs, and his ideas, along with those of Geddy and Alex, made the trio not only Canadian icons but enduring rock and roll legends.

Neil Peart passed on 7 January, 2020, and it seems the world never got a real way to say goodbye to the man, as we were all in lockdown.

Filmmakers Scot McFayden and Sam Dunn focus their cameras on Geddy and Alex, and four drummers, Stewart Copeland, Danny Carey, Chad Smith, and Gavin Harrison, to not only celebrate the man but his musical legacy and the way it will endure, with Anika Nilles.

The drummers each join Geddy and Alex as they reflect on the man, his music, his drums, and his creativity. We see how intricate the drum work for each Rush track is, and how each of these drummers is determined to honour it.

A notoriously private man, we get a glimpse of the man behind the massive drum kit. And while there will be no surprises here for Rush fans, what there is a celebration of the man. It is, in turn, funny and heartbreaking, poignant and rock-out-loud fun.

You can see that Geddy and Alex still suffer this loss on a daily basis; it’s in the blink of an eye, a twist of the lip as they work to keep grief in check.

There is joy as songs are played again for the first time, caught on camera, and there is the promise of what is to come with Nilles dettermined to keep Peart’s legacy alive, and keep Rush’s air drummers pounding.

A brilliant and heartfelt film that is part celebration and part memorial, the film explores Peart’s life and shows a man constantly seeking to re-learn and perfect his craft all over again until his own body started to betray him.

Undeniably Canadian, undeniably iconic, this film celebrates Peart and Rush, and gives the viewer a way to say goodbye to Peart while dropping the needle on just one more track (and one more, and one more – it’s never enough).

I loved this one.

Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple screens one last time at TIFF, at the Lightbox on Saturday evening. Bring your air drums.