Mikes Film Talk

Michael J Fox had it all. Stardom, fame, a great career and Parkinson’s. Still, the film that looks at this, is crazy. After all these years Fox has still got it. Despite being on enough drugs to placate his condition, that old magic shines through. The actor still fascinates. His charisma and timing are there in spades.

This filmed narrative of his life hurts.

Alot.

Still follows Fox’s life up to the point he learned he had the disease. And beyond. That treacherous pinky finger. The start of his loss of control. It happened around the Doc Hollywood point of his career.

Fox was the wunderkind of our generation. I say “our” because he is roughly three years younger than I am. He was funny, gifted and excelled at comedic timing. In Family Ties, his big break, he was an almost instant star. The movie Gods then “gave” Fox an even bigger break.

Back to the Future and Teen Wolf, filmed almost “back to back” proved that Fox was not just a star on TV, but he could deliver on the big screen as well. He was still that kid from Canada but he was rising so fast, he could have gotten the bends.

I watched Still for the second time tonight. I had forgotten that Still was 2023 film. Pulling up the choice on the streaming channel it was surprising to see the “watch again” prompt come up. Two minutes into his personal narrative, the memories came flooding back. I had seen it before.

The reaction was the same. Fox’s “quick” climb to the top and the dizzying fall. *Not really that quick. Fox was on the way to exiting LA with his tail between his legs. Then Family Ties hit and the rest, as they say, is history.*

I believe that truly, outrageously, successful actors pay dearly for their time on the top rung of the ladder. Fox is proof of this. At the point when the sky was, seemingly, the limit, the roof caved in.

After watching Still the second time, I found I could remember the first viewing in stark detail. The first time, with eyes full of tears, I rented “The Hard Way” right after the credits rolled. I needed some relief. The James Wood/Michael J Fox vehicle has been a favorite for years.

I had to erase all that painful reality.

This time, I purchased The Hard Way.

Still hurts. Fox was one of us. He is a member of our generation. And amazingly, we, I, did not begrudge him his status or fame. Fox was damn good at what he did. He deserved that brass ring. He was winning.

Right up till the Parkinson’s had to be addressed.

Michael J Fox is still winning. He has a family who appreciate him, and a mind that is still clear and concise. His body may be rebelling but he continues to fight.

When I first saw this film, I was reminded of my father who died from Parkinson’s and Dementia. I could not write about Still without getting emotional.

Now I can.

If for some reason you have not yet done so, watch this film. Still is a personal journey shared with us, his fans. He strips it down to the bone and allows us in. It is disturbing but truthful. I admire the man and his wife, Tracy Pollard.

Still is streaming on AppleTV Plus. Stop by and check it out.