It’s nearly impossible to think about Canadian music without appreciating the great legacy of the band that brought this nation together through art. Without this group, many would not know the stunning art of Tom Thomson, a man who is often neglected from history books, or reflect on the tragic passing of four-time Stanley Cup winner, Bill Barilko. They are a band who have changed a nation over the span of 40 years and counting, through their lyrical influence, charitable work and ever-lasting legacy. They are The Tragically Hip.
In his latest film, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, Mike Downie, brother of the band’s late lead vocalist, Gord Downie, directs a beautiful docuseries that reflects on the band’s history together. Throughout the series, viewers are exposed to archival footage of the band, as well as new interviews with band members Gord Sinclair, Rob Baker, Paul Langlois and Johnny Fay. Audiences also hear from prominent Canadian voices including actors Dan Aykroyd, Jay Baruchel and Will Arnett, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and broadcaster, George Stroumboulopoulos.
The documentary series is split up into four episodes that each explore a prominent time in the band’s past. It starts off from the very beginning, when the five best friends all attended the same high school in Kingston, Ontario. After the men were in a few separate bands, The Tragically Hip was born. The origin of their name is explained and viewers very quickly understand why this group was so extraordinary; they came from a place of friendship, they had each other’s backs, they could rely on one another, the band was simply their dreams turning into reality.
As the show progresses, audiences learn about the songwriting process and meaning behind a handful of the group’s hits, including their song, “Fiddler’s Green,” and album, Road Apples. M. Downie also highlights the band’s struggle with their success being compared to their fanbase in the United States, how their growing families changed the dynamic of their work life, The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, and how their impact on Canadians came at a personal cost to the musicians.
This docuseries is a must-watch for anyone, whether they’re a fan of the band or just discovering the Hip’s music. This show offers wonderful insight into how these men created true Canadian music, the way in which their words taught this nation to examine the past and appreciate brilliant individuals who came before us. Through videos and interviews, it is instantly clear how much The Tragically Hip loves what they do and how much admiration they have for each other. It’s nothing less than inspiring to see how this group went from a friend group of high school students in Kingston to the greatest rock band in Canadian history.
One aspect that certainly stands out is the way M. Downie brings G. Downie’s lyrics to life on-screen. Pages of his notebooks and brainstorming pages are closely shown on camera, words highlighted in specific colours as the corresponding music plays in the background, an example of cinematic excellence. This choice allows the audience to feel close to G. Downie, even if just for a moment, to simply understand how much heart and soul he poured into his craft. During an interview in the series, Arnett simply says, “Gord made it cool to be Canadian.”
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal offers a tear-jerking tribute to G. Downie, highlighting their infamous Man Machine Poem Tour that took place after his heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. This tour, which would be their very last, concluded in August 2016 in their hometown of Kingston, an equally touching and painful full-circle moment. The series offers a behind-the-scenes look into how the band worked together to make this tour possible for G. Downie, and proves how Canada truly came together as one to celebrate the wonderful life and legacy of The Tragically Hip.
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5 and will begin streaming on Prime Video on September 20.
