If you want to get the inside skinny on the history of Rush, 2010’s Beyond The Lighted Stage does a decent job of hitting the milestones and digging up the dirt (not that there’s a lot of dirt to dig up on Rush). However, if you want to get to the crux of why and how Rush ended their 40-year career, and see hardcore fans crushed and genuinely in tears at their final show, Time Stand Still has the answer. Narrated by Paul Rudd, the film provides an intimate look into the band’s sold-out “R40” tour, their unique relationship with fans and themselves, stories from the road, and, sadly, details about drummer Neil Peart’s decision to quit touring due to the physical demands of drumming at the expected Neil Peart level on an aging body. While there are bits and pieces of performances, the focus of the film falls squarely on everything that goes on around the music — Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, their crew, their fans and their emotional farewell.
As is often the case with Rush, there’s plenty of Canadian-style humor to go with that. In one instance, longtime lighting director Howard Ungerleider talks about how Lifeson used to put a paper bag on his head and make Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley laugh. But the film goes beyond the antics of the band to specific fans who worship at the alter of Rush. It all comes to a head in Los Angeles as fans talk about the role Rush plays in their lives, their favorite Rush songs, their favorite Rush albums, their favorite Rush moments. Between the band and the flock, there’s a bond unlike few others. After a limited theatrical run, Time Stand Still is now on Blu-ray Disc and DVD. The 67-minute bonus footage from the 1990 Presto tour (dubbed Live From The Rabbit Hole) makes this one sweet package to gift yourself or someone who will freely loan it to you for an extended period of time.
~ Shawn Perry
