Some documentaries flip the focus, or expectation of approach to its subject matter – watch One to One: John & Yoko as a unique example – and while Daryl Hannah’s film certainly offers an authentic journey, as we sit on the tour bus with the legendary Neil Young, and his driver Jerry Don Borden, it doesn’t excitingly disrupt any rules when it comes to storytelling.

As a whole, Neil Young: Coastal is an affectionate insight of the iconic musician, which is described as a film that’ll show him ‘navigating a return’ to the stage post-Covid in 2022, yet it never delves into the real complexities of that promise, despite celebrating and showcasing Young’s pure, raw talent for authentic musicianship – alongside a love for continuing to tell his stories through melodies, after an incredible and hugely influential 60 years in the industry.

Filmed in black and white, which only goes to level out the different gig locations rather than lend any specific narrative, much of Coastal is spent during the build up to the gig, on the tour bus to the venue, then briefly back stage, before enjoying a selection of songs. I was surprised of how much we got to see from the opening gig, considering it was a longer solo tour down the west coast, and while the songs themselves are certainly worth immersing into, the only real ‘coastal’ element we see is the ocean in some early establishing shots, and then a nod to people watching the gig from boats to the side of the last venue.

Much of Neil Young: Coastal is surface level but we are offered a little insight into Neil Young’s life via the genuinely enjoyable chats between him and his driver Jerry on their way to the gigs. From there, we see his rider and that he pretty much turns up and goes straight on stage from the bus, and that Young really does enjoy getting back out on stage, to chat to the audience and offer some beautiful renditions of his back catalogue including I’m The Ocean, Prime of Life, Throw your Hatred Down, and When I Hold You in My Arms.

For a casual viewer, in a fast world, you might be lost, and even uncomfortable, in just ‘being’ but that’s an important here and something easily forgotten. And, given the style of the subject matter, we maybe wouldn’t have had such an insight without Daryl Hannah’s involvement. It’s clear that Neil trusts his muse, from checking that she’s with him – even when she’s filming him – right through to saying that he missed her between venues. There’s no pretence here. It’s nostalgic for sure, but never sentimental, it’s just capturing a simple tour with an unobstructive viewpoint.

As well as briefly seeing Joni Mitchell and Lukas Nelson backstage at some gigs along the journey, the standout moments (alongside the songs) involve bus driver Jerry but, to be fair, he’s not supposed to be the focus of the documentary. And while this doesn’t completely feel like a missed opportunity, due to the sheer satisfaction of the live acoustic sets we witness, it always feels like there’s room for deeper understanding to reflect the depth of the songs.

Grab a few friends, some drinks and whatever else you need, as Neil Young: Coastal is an easy watch. Think of it as being sat at the back of a field at a sunny festival afternoon, where you can hear everything crisp and clear, drift into the echoes of the music, embrace the words that scatter in the air and form a fleeting moment of connected consciousness to admire some time with a genuine legend.

Neil Young: Coastal is out now in the UK: https://www.coastalthemovie.com/