A Michael J Fox movie had to dig a little deeper

Michael J Fox is the latest actor to get an intimate documentary about his life, following Pamela Anderson and Robert Downey Jr, with the new Apple TV+ Still: A Michael J Fox Movie.

Like Sr (which saw Robert Downey Jr explore his life through the lens of his relationship with his father), Still takes a unique and cinematic approach to his subject’s life. It ends up being part biopic, part documentary and feels fully in line with the spirit of Michael J Fox’s life.

Those expecting a heart-wrenching tale of Fox’s battle with Parkinson’s disease won’t find it here. Fox has no interest in people pitying him or reflecting on how “brave” he is; he’s always been an entertainer and that’s exactly what his life story will be.

In the end, though, while Still: A Michael J Fox Movie is never less than a riveting watch, you do wish it ended up digging more into Fox’s life, as a documentary usually would. .

Watch Still: A Michael J Fox Movie on Apple TV+

Still: A Michael J Fox Movie is roughly divided into three sections of his life and career: his early acting struggles for his breakthrough role in Family Ties; the height of his fame and his relationship with Tracy Pollan; and finally his Parkinson’s diagnosis, his attempts to keep it a secret, and finally his public disclosure.

It’s very much in Fox’s own words, as this is the only “talking head” interview, but this is no simple documentary. We get dramatic recreations of key moments in his life alongside cleverly edited archival footage that’s re-engineered to look like it was filmed as part of Fox’s life rather than one of his TV or film roles.

We also get some pretty brief tidbits about Fox’s personal life over time, such as physical therapy after his injuries. Like Fox’s on-camera interview, they’re proof he’s not interested in a “woe is me” story. When we see him fall down the street after turning to greet someone, he quickly quips, “You knocked me off my feet.”

There are still emotional and hard-to-watch sequences, such as when Fox has to cut short his interview as his symptoms flare up. Fox also didn’t self-censor, so you can understand his struggles with alcoholism, as well as his honest admission that after his rise to stardom with Back to the Future, he could be a little goofy on the set of Family Ties.

Still: A Michael J Fox movie could have more revelations like this or the explanation of how Fox hid his Parkinson’s on set. As open and honest as Fox is with his subject, the film doesn’t delve deep enough, often enough, to make you really feel like you know him better.

It’s not helped that the film shows very little of Fox’s career after he revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis or even his subsequent charity work. Just as Fox talks about how he was always on the move, the documentary rushes to wrap things up.

Still: A Michael J Fox movie ends up being one of those rare movies that you wish was longer so you could learn more. Michael J Fox proves to be excellent company and his optimism is contagious, however, if you came to the film wanting to know more, you’d be better off reading his memoir.

However: A Michael J Fox movie is available to watch now on Apple TV+.

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