12.5.23
Films of 2023 ranked and reviewed (UK/Qatar release date) – https://boxd.it/kpU9E
What an imaginative and smartly edited documentary this is. Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie showcases the actor’s life and struggles, particularly his battle with Parkinson’s disease, but doesn’t pity the man. Instead, it presents the argument that Fox is a man who never could afford, literally at some points, to just sit still.
Using a blend of archival footage from Fox’s TV and film catalogue, as well as snippets from interviews, Still presents a restoration of his meteoric rise to fame. The additional restaged scenes from key points of his private life are used seamlessly to create an energised narrative, highlighting Fox’s resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
There are also some great Guns & Roses and Beastie Boys needle drops, and the supplemental footage showing his physical fitness sessions and glimpses of a supportive nuclear family all work together to reveal how Fox’s experiences have shaped him as a person and an actor, and how he has continued to work and thrive despite his health challenges.
It may lack eye-wobbling, powerhouse moments which some viewers may desire, and fans of Back to the Future and Teen Wolf may long for more nostalgia, but there’s plenty here for all audiences and it’s just so inspirational and effectively made. A solid, emotionally resonant documentary with replay value, and a delightfully casual watch.
Available on Apple TV+