Directed by: David Guggenheim
Written by: Michael J. Fox
Starring: Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan
Runtime: 87 minutes
‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’ is a moving document
“Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a DeLorean?”
The year was 1985.
The United States enjoyed prosperous economic times. The country reelected Ronald Reagan in a landslide in 1984. Yes, The Cold War still hovered like a dark cloud that could drop nuclear warheads rather than raindrops, but it waned during its last couple of years. Meanwhile, teens from the free-love and free-wheeling 1960s grew up, became responsible parents, and moved to the suburbs. Some of their children turned into card-carrying Republicans.
As Talking Heads frontman David Byrne famously sings, “Well, how did I get here?”
No other television show depicted the aforementioned phenomenon better than the wildly popular NBC sitcom “Family Ties” (1982 - 1989). Producers cast Meredith Baxter as its star, as the show was supposed to be designed around the Keaton parents, Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Baxter).
Surprise, surprise!
Instead, millions of households tuned into this current slice of Americana each week because of Alex P. Keaton, played by Michael J. Fox.
This 5-foot-4-inch Edmonton native excelled in high school drama class and local acting projects, and Michael convinced his father to drive him from Canada to Los Angeles to pursue his thespian dreams. The rest is history, as Fox became – arguably - the United States’ biggest entertainment draw in 1985 with “Family Ties” and his turn in the hilarious and thrilling time-machine tryst, Robert Zemeckis’ instant classic “Back to the Future” (1985).
Thirty-eight years later, Michael looks back at the past and square at the present in “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”, a frank, celebratory, and sober recollection of the man’s life. He and director David Guggenheim don’t pull any punches, as Fox’s Parkinson’s disease, an affliction that shocking began when he was just 29, has expectedly progressed, as he sits today at age 61.
Fox sits directly in front of Guggenheim’s camera, and the first word of the movie’s title becomes a recurring callback throughout this engaging 87-minute documentary. The movie begins at an unlikely locale in 1990. Through a reenactment – a frequent and effective tool used in this film – Michael wakes up in a pink Florida hotel that resembles Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest lodging.
Soon after, the doc dials back to Michael’s humble, Middle North America upbringing and moves chronologically as Fox narrates the extreme highs and lows of his 61 years on Planet Earth, much of it under the bright lights of the big city.
When MJF burst onto NBC’s stage in 1982, his boy-next-door charm and impeccable comedic sense was a charisma concoction that called to men, women, boys, and girls of all ages. Alex P. Keaton was cool, and this critic looked up to him too. He was a teenage Arthur Fonzarelli who could stand up to anyone with his words and know-how but donned a tie and sport coat instead of a t-shirt and leather jacket. The world loved Alex P. Keaton, and we hung onto his every word.
We hang onto Michael’s every word in this doc too, as he reveals his surprising turns in elementary and high school. He was no Boy Scout, as rules and norms were causalities of his adolescent wars.
As a young actor, he didn’t prove to be an immediate doctor of Hollywood either. For years, he coped with a horror show of struggles that might persuade legions of wannabe actors and actresses – from Dubuque to Albuquerque to Tallahassee - to keep their day jobs rather than risk suffering a financial and emotional hellscape.
Better times were ahead with “Family Ties”, “Teen Wolf” (1985), the “Back to the Future” series, “Doc Hollywood” (1991), “Stuart Little” (1999), and more, but Fox reminds us of the leaner career times that we might have forgotten.
In fact, throughout this documentary, Guggenheim and editor Michael Harte drop in oodles of clips from Fox’s film and TV repertoire that fit perfectly into the actor’s real-life, behind-the-scenes narrative. Most of these big and small-screen excerpts are not from Fox’s grandest hits either, which is a refreshing choice and will trigger wonder from MJF’s fans everywhere, who may have previously thought they’ve seen all his work.
Fox reveals his alcohol problems (secrets born from his successes) and – in plain view - his constant fight with Parkinson’s. Fans, admirers, and everyone else haven’t seen this work either.
Michael is an open book here, showing no fear in casting the light of day on his everyday grind. He boldly addresses his vulnerabilities and wishes to tell his story while he still can, making it abundantly clear that seeking pity is not his driving force. His backbone – literally and figuratively - is also supported by his loving wife Tracy Pollan and his children. Fox asserts, explains, and proclaims that Tracy is not just a good wife but an extraordinary one.
This film – a pleasing nostalgia trip and a difficult divulge of reality - reminds us why Michael J. Fox always enjoys an invitation into our living rooms and movie theatres.
Prepare for laughter, tears, and admiration because “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” is a moving document.
Jeff’s ranking
3.5/4 stars
