In this Apple TV+ documentary, the Academy Award winner uses interviews, film clips and extensive access to tell Fox’s story from entertainment superstar to Parkinson’s advocate.
‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’ Courtesy Sundance Institute
When Betty White While dying 2022, I reflected on how our collective affection for her was possible is the only unifying thing in an increasingly divided culture.
But we do have Michael J. Fox
.
Stills: Michael J. Fox Movie
Bottom line Thoughtful and cleverly constructed.
Whether you grew up like me when Fox was the brightest star in both film and TV – those lines were harder to cross then – or you have It’s hard not to have a personal investment in the Canadian actor and advocate who has spent the past two decades as a public crusader for Parkinson’s research and awareness.
Fox gets admirable and intimate in on Apple TV+ The documentary treatment of : A Michael J. Fox Film , premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Director Davis Guggenheim is married to Fox 80 partner star Elizabeth Shue, does this give him a direct connection to Fox, or is it just a direct understanding of some kind of whirlwind’80 fame, and easily won the Oscar for Best Picture. The Guggenheim’s idiosyncratic approach here leaves a lot of room for the next documentary filmmaker who wants to celebrate Fox’s life, but with its tight focus and unique style, it conveys Fox’s energy and intergenerational appeal The essence of power.
“Distinctive style” was never something I used to associate with the Guggenheim ( An Inconvenient Truth , He named me Malala ), but the director’s The haptics are in some ways inspired and close to experimental, or at least similar to the kind you might be familiar with from Rodney Ascher (
Room Expect more from such a filmmaker).
From its multifaceted title to its aesthetic, still
aims to Capture some of the ambiguities in Fox’s life. Fox exploded into celebrity and stardom, his work rhythm never letting him stop or sit still, but when his health forced him to scale back or refocus his career, his body refused to let him take control own stillness. And yet he’s still here, still utterly familiar with his rhythms, his comical timing and his tone. It’s a life of sprinting forward, where the simple act of walking has become an act of focus and strategy.
Guggenheim sat down with Fox for a lengthy interview, and during the chat, the actor broke down his autobiography in terms familiar from his multiple memoirs. But it’s worth noting how many of the
Still Good material from what could have been a behind-the-scenes tidbit.When Fox has to stop mid-story to take his pills, or when the Guggenheim talks about the various new, continuity-breaking bruises and braces that make up Fox’s daily life, the narration of the dialogue is in every way better than the strict The biography is more revealing and instructive.
When it comes to Fox’s health, Guggenheim asks roughly what viewers watching at home might have, even before the topic of discussion When of real importance – from the inevitable “why this documentary now ? Query – Their humorous rapport at least quenches the inevitable tears. Guggenheim has access to a pivotal moment in Fox’s life – with family The free time in the movie, the intense rehab training, the tense appointment with the doctor – the effective balance between humor and poignancy comes from Fox.
Still is a single-subject documentary, with Fox as the only talking protagonist, but this type of access makes Several of his children, especially his wife Tracy Pollan, became very important characters in the story.
Guggenheim, editor Michael Hart and the archives team skillfully combined Voiceovers, stage reenactments, and clips of Fox productions, as well as his various appearances on television and on the red carpet, illustrate Fox’s biography, though not in the way you might imagine. Excerpt from
My Secret to Success Used to illustrate part of Fox’s early struggles for professional status ,and Family Relationship
Alex burnt out from his new job fleshes out the frenzied reenactment depicting his double duty between the NBC sitcom and back to the Future
.From
snippet
highlighting his efforts to cover up his Parkinson’s symptoms before going public.
Sometimes you can accurately identify the film or behind-the-scenes interview that the Guggenheim is pulling clips from, other times it’s not, I think For the lack of certainty helps the documentary. It adds an intellectual effort to our existing investment in Fox, making us try to find connections, just as we’re watching Fox struggle to do things he used to do easily. In addition to Harte and the cinematographer team, John Powell’s versatile score also deserves credit for piecing together disparate tones and formal elements.
Certain parts of Fox’s career and life could have been delved into more deeply, and outside voices could have provided additional insight into aspects of his talent that have been censored The proof is so timeless, yet perfectly fitting’ stardom. Maybe there could have been more investigation into the pressures Fox felt as an inspiration, maybe even a misplaced pity, a frustration that just happened to show up in a rehab session but was never interrogated .
So maybe there’s a four hour Michael J. Fox documentary yet to be made, like Judd Apatow did with Gary Shandling and George Carlin the same. But what the Guggenheim does here is satisfying and inspiring in its own right.
Full credits
Location: Sundance Film Festival (Premiere) 2022 2021 Production company: Apple Original Films, Concordia Studios Director: David Guggenheim 1235305496 Producers: Davis Guggenheim, Anita Marion, Jonathan King, Will Cohen Executive Producers: Nelle Fortenberry, Jonathan Silberberg, Nicole Stott, Lauren Powell Jobs 1235305496 730 Director of Photography: C. Kim Miles 2022Photographer: Julia Liu, Clair Popkin 12353054961235305496 Composer: John Powell
1 hour35 minute
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Bottom line Thoughtful and cleverly constructed.
Whether you grew up like me when Fox was the brightest star in both film and TV – those lines were harder to cross then – or you have It’s hard not to have a personal investment in the Canadian actor and advocate who has spent the past two decades as a public crusader for Parkinson’s research and awareness. Fox gets admirable and intimate in on Apple TV+ The documentary treatment of : A Michael J. Fox Film , premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Director Davis Guggenheim is married to Fox 80 partner star Elizabeth Shue, does this give him a direct connection to Fox, or is it just a direct understanding of some kind of whirlwind’80 fame, and easily won the Oscar for Best Picture. The Guggenheim’s idiosyncratic approach here leaves a lot of room for the next documentary filmmaker who wants to celebrate Fox’s life, but with its tight focus and unique style, it conveys Fox’s energy and intergenerational appeal The essence of power. “Distinctive style” was never something I used to associate with the Guggenheim ( An Inconvenient Truth , He named me Malala ), but the director’s The haptics are in some ways inspired and close to experimental, or at least similar to the kind you might be familiar with from Rodney Ascher (Room Expect more from such a filmmaker).
From its multifaceted title to its aesthetic, still
aims to Capture some of the ambiguities in Fox’s life. Fox exploded into celebrity and stardom, his work rhythm never letting him stop or sit still, but when his health forced him to scale back or refocus his career, his body refused to let him take control own stillness. And yet he’s still here, still utterly familiar with his rhythms, his comical timing and his tone. It’s a life of sprinting forward, where the simple act of walking has become an act of focus and strategy.
Guggenheim sat down with Fox for a lengthy interview, and during the chat, the actor broke down his autobiography in terms familiar from his multiple memoirs. But it’s worth noting how many of the
Still Good material from what could have been a behind-the-scenes tidbit.When Fox has to stop mid-story to take his pills, or when the Guggenheim talks about the various new, continuity-breaking bruises and braces that make up Fox’s daily life, the narration of the dialogue is in every way better than the strict The biography is more revealing and instructive.
When it comes to Fox’s health, Guggenheim asks roughly what viewers watching at home might have, even before the topic of discussion When of real importance – from the inevitable “why this documentary now ? Query – Their humorous rapport at least quenches the inevitable tears. Guggenheim has access to a pivotal moment in Fox’s life – with family The free time in the movie, the intense rehab training, the tense appointment with the doctor – the effective balance between humor and poignancy comes from Fox.
Still is a single-subject documentary, with Fox as the only talking protagonist, but this type of access makes Several of his children, especially his wife Tracy Pollan, became very important characters in the story.
Guggenheim, editor Michael Hart and the archives team skillfully combined Voiceovers, stage reenactments, and clips of Fox productions, as well as his various appearances on television and on the red carpet, illustrate Fox’s biography, though not in the way you might imagine. Excerpt from
My Secret to Success Used to illustrate part of Fox’s early struggles for professional status ,and Family Relationship
Alex burnt out from his new job fleshes out the frenzied reenactment depicting his double duty between the NBC sitcom and back to the Future
.From
snippet
highlighting his efforts to cover up his Parkinson’s symptoms before going public.
Sometimes you can accurately identify the film or behind-the-scenes interview that the Guggenheim is pulling clips from, other times it’s not, I think For the lack of certainty helps the documentary. It adds an intellectual effort to our existing investment in Fox, making us try to find connections, just as we’re watching Fox struggle to do things he used to do easily. In addition to Harte and the cinematographer team, John Powell’s versatile score also deserves credit for piecing together disparate tones and formal elements.
Certain parts of Fox’s career and life could have been delved into more deeply, and outside voices could have provided additional insight into aspects of his talent that have been censored The proof is so timeless, yet perfectly fitting’ stardom. Maybe there could have been more investigation into the pressures Fox felt as an inspiration, maybe even a misplaced pity, a frustration that just happened to show up in a rehab session but was never interrogated .
So maybe there’s a four hour Michael J. Fox documentary yet to be made, like Judd Apatow did with Gary Shandling and George Carlin the same. But what the Guggenheim does here is satisfying and inspiring in its own right.
Location: Sundance Film Festival (Premiere) 2022 2021 Production company: Apple Original Films, Concordia Studios Director: David Guggenheim 1235305496 Producers: Davis Guggenheim, Anita Marion, Jonathan King, Will Cohen Executive Producers: Nelle Fortenberry, Jonathan Silberberg, Nicole Stott, Lauren Powell Jobs 1235305496 730 Director of Photography: C. Kim Miles 2022Photographer: Julia Liu, Clair Popkin 12353054961235305496 Composer: John Powell
1 hour35 minute
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