STILL: A Michael J Fox Movie (2023)
Dir: Davis Guggenheim
Writer / Starring: Michael J Fox; Tracy Pollan
by Paul Bernardo paulieb2003@gmail.com
An incredible look into the super stardom and major impact of Michael J Fox. From childhood to today, we learn that Michael is about as brave a person as there can ever be.
We go inside his house, see him with his four kids, his wife, Tracy, and his drug regiment, is physical therapy regiment, his public appearances, his fundraisers, his awareness events, his doctors, his bad days, his good days – everything.
I think that one episode of Family Ties where Michael and Tracy dance to the song, “At This Moment” by Billy Vera – made the entire nation fall in love with these two – and now in times of hardship, is no different. America has been in love with Michael J Fox for his entire career, all his ups and downs, and definitely now, as he goes through the pains of Parkinson’s.
A telling example is Fox trying to walk out of his building, saying to hi to regular people on the street as he makes his way along with his trainer by his side, instructing him as best he could. Fox is recognized by a guy on the street, he says hi to Fox, and Fox turns around while walking forward, to say hello back – and in doing so, smacks the pavement face first. His trainer helps him back up and Fox says to the guy, “You said hi and knocked me off my feet”. They all laugh and Fox continues trying to put one foot in front of the other.
“it’s not that I’m not careful. Falling is part of the deal” Fox explains to us as he describes his bruises, surgeries and pins in different parts of his body. He had just had pins put into his cheekbone from a fall, and some in his hand from a fall, and a newly dislocated shoulder from a fall. Fox says people tell him to be careful all the time, and he is. It’s just that he has Parkinson’s.
His kids adore him, and do not pity him. They treat him like a person without the disease, which is what he wants. Tracy, his longtime wife, certainly does not pity him or baby him. She looks out for him, but does not give him the baby treatment. If anything, they lovingly mock him or tease him about it, rather than give him sympathy. They love him to death, and he loves them back and it’s nothing short of miraculous the way this family is strong, loving, and cemented together.
Fox pulls no punches in this film – he gives you the bottom line on everything. Will he live forever, certainly not – is his time shortened, yes. But he enjoys his family, loves his friends and wants to raise as much money and awareness to this disease as he can before it beats him. And Fox knows it will beat him. Michael tells the tale of what his doctor told him right from the start – there’s no beating this. He smiles anyway, and does his best to enjoy what is around him.
I dare to say nothing this brave has ever been put on film before and it is a joy to watch. Michael J Fox is battling Parkinson’s Disease in full view of everyone, and is not morbid about it. He smiles, he tells jokes, he gets cranky, he gets sick – but he is not shy about it. Scared, yes. Petrified, yes. But he still wants to live his life no matter how much time he has life, and he is doing it. Fox clearly does not want to live in seclusion like Muhammad Ali did for a better part of his life. Michael wants the word out – wants people to know this disease is real and to not be afraid of it. Fox still goes on tv shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, and makes plenty of appearances and cameos for Back To The Future. There is no “We wish Michael could be here” no. Fox is there, front and center, enjoying his amazing achievements, receiving the massive love from h is fans and working with his dear friends. He is not missing out on life, like so many with a debilitating disease do.
During a face to face interview, Fox tells the camera that’s it’s time for his pills. He does not put on this face of courage and struggle through the interviews. Fox is honest, and is dealing with it with no shame, no guilt, and no secrets. He needs his pills, he needs his pills. It’s that simple. Fox takes his medication on camera – does not hide in some corner, behind some door and takes them with 10 assistants demanding the camera be turned off. Fox is an open book, and it’s glorious to see someone like this, in this way.
A badge of true courage, Fox is doing his best, as we all should be doing. Fox is loving his family, as we all should be doing. He is making people smile, making them feel comfortable around him, as we all should be doing. So really, is he that different because of Parkinson’s?
A joy to watch, a display, a lesson, on how to live your life right, no matter what mountain you face. I strongly suggest you view this, and bring a pen and paper along, to take some notes.
