Tracy Pollan, left, and Michael J. Fox walk the red carpet at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 13th Governors Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza on Nov. 19, 2022, in Los Angeles.
(Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Michael J. Fox is a multi-award winning actor who is most notably known for his roles as Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” franchise and Alex P. Keaton in “Family Ties.” However, his acting career changed forever in 1991 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29.
It all started as a tremor in his pinky finger, and the disease has now evolved to endless movement throughout his entire body.
Fox chose not to publicize his diagnosis at first. He worried that it would ruin his acting career. He continued to act but chose to hide his Parkinson’s.
In order to act like nothing was wrong, he would constantly move his hands. Additionally, he would hide in the bathrooms and dressing rooms in order to take his medications. He would wait there until they kicked in, so he no longer had to worry about anyone noticing.
However, as the condition worsened he decided it was finally time to reveal his diagnosis in 1998. Shortly after, he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a non-profit organization to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
According to the Guardian, as of 2023 the foundation has raised over $2 billion for Parkinson’s research projects. Surprisingly enough, the foundation has funded more than the United States government has.
Other notable figures with Parkinson’s include Ozzy Osbourne, Muhammad Ali, and George H.W. Bush.
Although the actor’s condition worsens daily, he is participating in events as if he never retired. He may have quit acting, but he still appears at comic-cons and basketball games.
I personally had the honor of meeting the actor twice at 2022’s New York Comic Con and 2023’s Fan Expo Chicago.
He was a very kind man, although his Parkinson’s was causing him to be uncontrollably moving. He was still smiling and talkative. Seeing that gave me hope and made me realize that life-changing diagnoses are not the end of the world.
While attending New York Comic Con, I got to attend the “Back to the Future” reunion panel. It was there that the true friendship between Fox and fellow actor Christopher Lloyd shined.
There were tears shed and laughs throughout the crowd. Unfortunately, Fox’s Parkinson’s was causing his speech to become slurred. Regardless, he spoke of his favorite films and his fond memories from being on sets.
Shortly after the panel, he announced the development of “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.”
Fox sought to inform audiences of his personal tragedy through humor and grace.
This was released on January 20, 2023 as an Apple TV+ exclusive. It was given a 99% critic rating by Rotten Tomatoes, and I completely agree with it.
This film may be formatted as a documentary, but it does not seem like one. It more-so seems like a biography of Fox, as a film.
The biggest praise that I have for the film is its editing. When Fox discusses his past, particularly his childhood, it jumps to sequences where his face is never shown, but a double is performing an action.
I find it to be incredibly appealing, especially with the choice of music. The same can be said about the jump cuts between “Back to the Future” and “Family Ties.” The transitions are extremely smooth, with Fox going back and forth between shots with a double showing how nightmarish the process was.
The film also successfully shows how different the diagnosis made Fox’s life. He discusses things such as depression, and how he copes with it. As bad as things are in his life, he is still extremely happy.
Personally, I believe that the film is a perfect send off to his retirement from acting. It shows how much fun he had in the industry, and that he just wants to focus on his health and family.
Although there has yet to be a cure found for Parkinson’s, the Michael J. Fox Foundation continues to spread awareness and makes groundbreaking discoveries.
“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”’ is streaming on Apple TV+.