May 11, 2023
FILM: STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE
DIRECTED BY DAVIS GUGGENHEIM
STARRING: MICHAEL J. FOX, TRACY POLLAN
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Watching Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, it surprised me that such a film about one of Hollywood’s most popular actors had not yet been produced. After all, in addition to being in one of the most popular television series of the 1980s (Family Ties) and one of the biggest film franchises (the Back to the Future trilogy) Fox’s struggle with Parkinson’s Disease has been public knowledge for over twenty years now. Yet, here we are with a stunning new portrait of a man who played a hero in the movies and now feels like a hero in real life.
Davis Guggenheim directed this compelling and fast paced documentary which begins with a recreation of the first-time Fox noticed a twitch in his pinkie. This lead to the diagnosis which created a stark contrast between his life before that moment in 1990 to the progression of the disease as well as his own acceptance and public revealing of the condition. How it affected his development as a man and artist is sad but also quite inspiring.
Guggenheim presents young Michael J. Fox as a fast-moving child/young adult who worked with tireless abandon throughout the 80s. Some of that frenetic energy is depicted with an 80s soundtrack and quick cuts between the various roles Fox played. The clips serve as visual stand ins for his real life on the fast road to mega success. Guggenheim juxtaposes these images with recent footage of a now much older Fox receiving therapy to steady his walk. He’s also interviewed and freely discusses his physical and emotional struggles in the 90s with masking tremors and becoming an alcoholic. But Guggenheim doesn’t overly accentuate any of this to a point where we feel pity for Fox. Rather, Fox’s shining sense of humor and grounded reality surfaces throughout the film. He doesn’t shy away from expressing the difficulties he’s had while also poking fun at himself. Guggenheim also includes Fox’s insights through the narration of his various autobiographies which offer an enlightening perspective on the twists in his life and career.
Creating a fully realized and visually stimulating documentary, Guggenheim expertly utilizes plenty of archival footage. There are stills of Fox as a child, footage of his early TV work, and excerpts from his many talk show appearances. There is also some great behind the scenes footage from Family Ties and his home life with his wife Tracy Pollan and their four children. Fox famously met Pollan when she had a character arc on Family Ties. They’ve been together ever since. Seeing their strong bond says so much about the love Fox has had in his life to soften his tragic situation.
In the end, this is a moving family portrait, a lesson in the fragile nature of success and life, and a star’s public struggle with Parkinson’s. I would have liked to see more details about Fox’s work with his organization that raises money to fight the disease but Guggenheim ultimately balances out all aspects of Fox’s life to a degree which is very satisfying to any fan of his or anyone who wants to see a significant life unfold in the public eye.
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie opens Friday at the Gene Siskel Center in Chicago. It will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on May 12th.
FILM: STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE
DIRECTED BY DAVIS GUGGENHEIM
STARRING: MICHAEL J. FOX, TRACY POLLAN
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Watching Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, it surprised me that such a film about one of Hollywood’s most popular actors had not yet been produced. After all, in addition to being in one of the most popular television series of the 1980s (Family Ties) and one of the biggest film franchises (the Back to the Future trilogy) Fox’s struggle with Parkinson’s Disease has been public knowledge for over twenty years now. Yet, here we are with a stunning new portrait of a man who played a hero in the movies and now feels like a hero in real life.
Davis Guggenheim directed this compelling and fast paced documentary which begins with a recreation of the first-time Fox noticed a twitch in his pinkie. This lead to the diagnosis which created a stark contrast between his life before that moment in 1990 to the progression of the disease as well as his own acceptance and public revealing of the condition. How it affected his development as a man and artist is sad but also quite inspiring.
Guggenheim presents young Michael J. Fox as a fast-moving child/young adult who worked with tireless abandon throughout the 80s. Some of that frenetic energy is depicted with an 80s soundtrack and quick cuts between the various roles Fox played. The clips serve as visual stand ins for his real life on the fast road to mega success. Guggenheim juxtaposes these images with recent footage of a now much older Fox receiving therapy to steady his walk. He’s also interviewed and freely discusses his physical and emotional struggles in the 90s with masking tremors and becoming an alcoholic. But Guggenheim doesn’t overly accentuate any of this to a point where we feel pity for Fox. Rather, Fox’s shining sense of humor and grounded reality surfaces throughout the film. He doesn’t shy away from expressing the difficulties he’s had while also poking fun at himself. Guggenheim also includes Fox’s insights through the narration of his various autobiographies which offer an enlightening perspective on the twists in his life and career.
Creating a fully realized and visually stimulating documentary, Guggenheim expertly utilizes plenty of archival footage. There are stills of Fox as a child, footage of his early TV work, and excerpts from his many talk show appearances. There is also some great behind the scenes footage from Family Ties and his home life with his wife Tracy Pollan and their four children. Fox famously met Pollan when she had a character arc on Family Ties. They’ve been together ever since. Seeing their strong bond says so much about the love Fox has had in his life to soften his tragic situation.
In the end, this is a moving family portrait, a lesson in the fragile nature of success and life, and a star’s public struggle with Parkinson’s. I would have liked to see more details about Fox’s work with his organization that raises money to fight the disease but Guggenheim ultimately balances out all aspects of Fox’s life to a degree which is very satisfying to any fan of his or anyone who wants to see a significant life unfold in the public eye.
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie opens Friday at the Gene Siskel Center in Chicago. It will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on May 12th.