STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)

Brent Marchant May 15, 2023

★ 8/10

In the 1980s, actor Michael J. Fox burst onto the entertainment scene as one of the decade’s mega-stars with the success of his hit TV show Family Ties and a string of popular movies, most notably the iconic sci-fi comedy, “Back to the Future” (1985). Before long, he was seemingly everywhere all at once, a fitting development for someone who had lived his life like that from the time he was a child. This frenetic pace of living had followed him for so long, in fact, that he never learned how to be, as this film’s title suggests, still. In 1990, however, he received a medical diagnosis that nearly stopped him in his tracks – he was discovered to be suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, an illness that usually strikes in old age, not someone on his late 20s. It forced him to take stock of himself and his life, though he tried desperately (and surprisingly successfully) to conceal…

Ziggy June 5, 2023

★ 10/10

An AMAZINGLY well done perspective of Parisians Disease as it impacts a person and changes their life forever. I related this film to a close personal friend diagnosed with the same disabling disease. Over the course of time he opted in for a special surgery that implants two devices in the body. This act, was worth the wait as his uncontrollable shaking attacks diminished enough he drives again, rode a 100 miles on his bicycle and ... well, lives as close to "normal" as people without the disease. I love Michael's approach allowing the crew to see exactly how this impacts his life. The inclusion of his growth on TV / Movies was a great addition. The amazing, most crazy part of all of this is his absolutely adoring family. His wife sticking through EVERY piece of his life as HE struggles with loosing all things he could do on his own. She's an amazing woman, a true Diamond of l…

CinemaSerf February 4, 2024

★ 7/10

Now this is how you do a documentary about illness! Clearly this is a man with considerable skill in front of a camera, but his general demeanour and willingness to reflect on the drawbacks and positives of his Parkinson's Disease is revelatory and engaging. Using his highly successful Hollywood career as a bedrock, he shares the roller-coaster ride that has been his life. From his burger-fuelled bedsit, through "Family Ties" then his struggle to get film roles, his astonishing success and then to his discovery and disclosure of his illness. It's all presented candidly, amusingly and by a fellow who has steadfastly refused to be beaten. Frequently looking a bit bruised and battered after a fall, and unafraid to illustrate the effects on his mobility and speech, he uses his celebrity status to fundraise for better research into this debilitating brain disease - but he does it without whin…