Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

Name: Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Genre: Documentary
Released: May 12, 2023
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Andrew Barber, Danny Irizarry

2023

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Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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Universal acclaim based on 20 Ratings

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Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

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Movie Details & Credits

Apple Original Films | Release Date (Streaming): May 12, 2023 | R

Starring: Andrew Barber, Danny Irizarry

Summary: The improbable tale of a short kid from a Canadian army base who became the darling of 1980s Hollywood — only to find the course of his life altered by a stunning diagnosis. What happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease?

Director: Davis Guggenheim

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Jen Chaney

Jan 4, 2024

The movie is not demanding anyone feel that way nor straining to jerk tears out of its audience. It is matter-of-fact, even when those facts aren’t necessarily flattering to its subject. Read full review

Martin Carr

Jan 24, 2023

If anyone ever thinks of Michael J. Fox as anything other than a legend after this film, they need to re-evaluate their priorities. 'Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie' documents the life of a survivor, who is far from done fighting. Read full review

The Daily Beast Nick Schager

Jan 21, 2023

Its poignancy and humor is amplified by its canny decision to let Fox tell his own tale. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

May 10, 2023

All of this is interesting, in varying degrees. But watching and listening to Fox talk is magnetic. Read full review

Richard Whittaker

May 11, 2023

An open, honest, and crystal-clear explanation of what it is like to live with Parkinson's: much of it painful, with no off-ramp. Read full review

Richard Roeper

May 10, 2023

The documentary is at its best when we observe Fox in quiet, warm and funny moments with his wife and their four children, and when it’s just Fox facing the camera, talking with his typical candor and humor about his condition and refusing to be painted as some kind of martyr. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Jan 31, 2023

Perhaps Fox and the film itself don’t quite put us inside his anguish at first getting the diagnosis and then his decision to go public, but his courage is the more moving for being understated. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

May 14, 2023

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 everywhereIn 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 it for years thereafter. His unwillingness to confront the truth about his condition continued a practice that he had been carrying out in other areas of his life for years, his hectic, distracted way of living keeping him in denial and, sadly, giving him a reason to drown himself in alcohol. But he couldn’t continue living that way forever as the disease began to take its course, his illness serving as a much-needed wake-up call to get real. Based on the title character’s writings, director Davis Guggenheim’s latest documentary feature tells the protagonist’s story using an inventive combination of archive footage, interviews with Fox, actor-based re-creations of incidents from his life and footage from his treatment sessions that candidly depict how far his condition has progressed. There are also a number of sequences in which his story is told through fittingly poignant clips from his movie and TV projects, ironically reminding us that art can indeed imitate life. All of these elements combine to present a compelling and touching story, although the film admittedly has some initial difficulty finding traction to tell it. Otherwise, though, “Still” offers an honest, insightful look into the life of a very public figure who has been fighting a very private battle and the effects that effort has had on shaping and evolving his professional, personal and philanthropic pursuits. Most of all, however, it shows us how we can identify what’s been missing from our lives and take steps to implement it, no matter how unusual the means may be for showing us the way.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bertobellamy

May 14, 2023

Clever documentary in which Michael J. Fox tells his life story. It stands out for its non-melodramatic recreations and extensive research work to integrate clips from movies and Fox series into the narrative. Although it ends abruptly, exploring very little of his activist days, 'Still'Clever documentary in which Michael J. Fox tells his life story. It stands out for its non-melodramatic recreations and extensive research work to integrate clips from movies and Fox series into the narrative. Although it ends abruptly, exploring very little of his activist days, 'Still' gives us a look at the daily life of a Parkinson's patient and the most vulnerable side of a human being.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dubeau

May 14, 2023

Excellent doc and bio. I like it for the emotions and the history. The man is a fighter with it's limit. This is a nice view of his career and his family, the support he had for his sickness. How it progress into his work too. Informative and true. I give 80%. For the honesty of it, it'sExcellent doc and bio. I like it for the emotions and the history. The man is a fighter with it's limit. This is a nice view of his career and his family, the support he had for his sickness. How it progress into his work too. Informative and true. I give 80%. For the honesty of it, it's worth watching.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

alanpotter17

May 26, 2023

Este documentário poderia perfeitamente ser premiado pela edição. Absolutamente fantástica.
Temos um Michael Fox como narrador em um plano bem convencional, mas felizmente a câmera não se demora nele, não se mantendo conservadora. Logo de início, o filme já apresenta o veterano ator andandoEste documentário poderia perfeitamente ser premiado pela edição. Absolutamente fantástica.
Temos um Michael Fox como narrador em um plano bem convencional, mas felizmente a câmera não se demora nele, não se mantendo conservadora. Logo de início, o filme já apresenta o veterano ator andando nas ruas com a doença, que lhe oferece limitações físicas impactantes. Sem usar do melodrama, o filme ganha um contorno autoconsciente ao focar no cotidiano e nos impactos psicológicos da doença.
Então o filme regride para a infância e adolescência de Fox, um garoto muito a baixo da estatura média dos seus pares que acaba se destacando por fazer rir.
É interessante ver que o roteiro tenta criar narrativas positivas mas sem soar como autoajuda, utiliza-se de um texto leve e de muito humor para simplesmente aceitar as fatalidades e circunstâncias da vida, como por exemplo, o fato de que ele, por ser baixo, conseguiria diversos papéis interpretando crianças.
Mas aí o domínio de edição toma conta, e que show! A vida de Fox vai sendo narrado usando trechos de suas produções, e alguns diálogos casam tão bem com a apresentação de Fox que chega a ser espantoso, um trabalho excelente de pesquisa e escolha de cenas. A parte do "De volta para o futuro" ficou realmente espetacular, bem como acompanhar sua ascensão.
Pena que o filme se demora a chegar no Fox atual, e quando o faz, não se aprofunda na doença. Ainda assim, o trabalho de edição continua empolgante, para quem curte cinema e as séries dos anos 1980/90, é uma delícia assistir a uma história com o selo de qualidade nostálgico.
Sem dúvida um documentário bem humano, que não trata Fox como vítima, ao mesmo tempo que é complacente com o Fox bem sucedido na carreira. A parte em que mostra algumas críticas negativas, o filme atribuiu aos impactos dos remédios e todo o peso mental a que Fox teve de suportar, o que achei deveras limitante. Ou seja, tirando o fato de que o roteiro optou pela facilidade de explicações, o filme tem uma montagem e uma edição beirando a perfeição, mantendo o interesse até o final, aliás, um final singelo e esperançoso, fugindo dos apelos piegas, o que por si só já é um grande convite a conferir a obra.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Jul 8, 2023

Legendary documentarian Davis Guggenheim takes on the rollercoaster of Michael J. Fox with "Still," a biographical picture that could have very easily been you're mopey, tropey slog through the real misery that life can throw at us. As Fox himself says, however, "that's boring." This is aLegendary documentarian Davis Guggenheim takes on the rollercoaster of Michael J. Fox with "Still," a biographical picture that could have very easily been you're mopey, tropey slog through the real misery that life can throw at us. As Fox himself says, however, "that's boring." This is a frank, honest and frequently hilarious look at one man's unique perspective on his own struggle, featuring some truly innovative and enthralling editing/framing choices. What they do with the reenactments here is probably the best approach I've ever seen in a documentary, with the blend between archival footage and recreation rendered functionally seamless. Then, of course, you have the subject himself — Fox, with all of his wit, openness and heart. I know part of the point of this movie is to deconstruct the idea behind what it means to be an "inspiration," but I'll be damned if I didn't walk away feeling motivated and just better overall. Really beautiful work here.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MetacriticOnur

May 14, 2023

excellent
[ ek-suh-luhnt ]

adjective
possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

JLuis_001

May 14, 2023

- I've interviewed you for hours and hours and hours. You've never told me once, ''I'm in pain''.

- I'm in pain - You are? - I'm in intense pain. - But why wouldn't you tell me? This is about us talking and telling the truth. Why wouldn't you tell me about your pain? - Well, it didn't- I've interviewed you for hours and hours and hours. You've never told me once, ''I'm in pain''.

- I'm in pain

- You are?

- I'm in intense pain.

- But why wouldn't you tell me? This is about us talking and telling the truth. Why wouldn't you tell me about your pain?

- Well, it didn't come up. I'm not gonna lead with it.

What a real **** fighter Michael J. Fox is.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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