Still

Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measures. It's so sad to see the actor of my all time favourite film Back to The Future battling Parkinson's.

It is so good to see him fight it head on though. There's no outward pity from him. He must have had plenty of 'why me?' moments, it's impossible not to, but he's fighting this with dignity and a big dose of humour.

This film/documentary was brilliantly put together. There's clips from film and television roles that Michael has played over the years that are put together to narrate the story. It is very cleverly done. Other parts of the story are acted out by actors but it's very realistic. You feel like you are watching a young Michael go on his journey through life and grow up in front of us.

To steal a pun from the film. It's all very moving!!

Still was warmly and enthusiastically received at the SXSW Film Festival. An overflow crowd gave the film and its subject a standing ovation. Unlike your usual Hollywood Biopic, Still is an inspiring story of young, and perhaps somewhat superficial, movie star journey from celebrity to hero.

The creative presentation shows the present-day disabled Fox struggling with the consequences of Parkinson's Disease and uses that as a jumping off point for his telling the story of how we went from struggling actor to mega Hollywood star. Then it journeys through his diagnosis with Parkinson's which he initially hid from the public as well as his struggle with alcoholism. Eventually, it shows the evolution of his role as he emerges as inspiration to millions who struggle with Parkinson's and many other disorders. His extraordinary fundraising efforts are a celebration of the human spirit. His dignity and decency in the face of an incurable disease are truly inspiring.

The creative format of Guggenheim's film is fascinating, because he uses a mix of clips from Fox's TV and movies along with a series of recreations framed by modern day interviews to tell Fox's story. It is told with great humor and grace.

For anyone of a certain age, Michael J. Fox was a cultural icon. Back to the Future is one of the iconic cultural markers of the 1980s. And Still really is in and of itself, appropriately enough, a journey back in time. In a time where we seem to lack heroes, Michael J. Fox is one and this film provides a great tribute to him.

This is not a velvety self celebratory biography, but an honest insight in to the actual man, pain bruises and all, behind the face we thought we knew so well. Giving the sense that life happens to everyone, also celebrities, you understand how absolutely critical family, especially his wife has been in reflecting back on him, so that he could make the choices to become the man he is today. Parkinson's is a brutal disease, as I've also experienced first hand with an acquaintance, but Michael J Fox story, well told through clips from throughout his career, gives hope that you can break through living in accordance with your own perceived expectations of how the world needs to see you, and actually just be your true self, no matter what life brings, and no matter how differently you may be perceived compared to your old ideals. The less polished, authentic Michael J Fox, is an inspiration, and this documentary lets you meet him closer than ever.

You probably know Michael J Fox is Canadian, made Back to the Future and has Parkinson's disease.

What you might not know is how resilient, brave, funny and charming he is.

What you probably don't know is he falls over a lot and walks like Billy Connolly doing the Glaswegian drunk man impersonation.

In this documentary that is brilliantly directed by Davis Guggenheim there are two stars.

Michael J Fox who narrates the movie, to camera, with his mangled voice often quite difficult to comprehend and Michael Harte, the editor.

It's a piece of magical illusion because somehow the directing/editing team have managed to piece together snippets of Fox's work to sit alongside Fox himself in 'telling the story'. It has echoes of my all time favourite documentary, 102 minutes that Changed America, in that it's essentially 'found footage that's used to tell the story. It's remarkable.

But at its core is the sad (not sad) sight of Michael J Fox, that lovable little scamp, at 61 looking like a wreck, but still, somehow defying the hideous encroachment of Parkinsons with dignity and humour.

It's very moving and it's very great.

I am of an age where this actor was huge in my time. One of the very big stars. So to learn a little more about him was always a welcome thought.

Very soon into this documentary you get the idea that it is different. A new approach to story telling. A lovely format using old clips, drama and humour. It is gentle but so very effective in communicating the heart of the story.

I enjoyed this because I learnt from it. It filled those gaps in my memory where he went off my radar. I can now understand why. Whilst it did make me feel sad, it also filled my heart with hope. Knowing that humans have the ability to overcome most things thrown at them. The human spirit is strong, and this documentary proved it.

I most definitely recommend watching this. A well made, well balanced and thought provoking documentary. Job well done 👍