If you are a passionate film fan of a certain age, you will probably remember when ‘The Future’ hit big in the world. Nobody knew how significant BACK TO THE FUTURE would be as a movie before it opened and it took six months for the film to hit UK screens before confirming itself as a bona-fide cinematic legend that spawned two sequels (shot back to back in 1989-90)
As we all know now, BACK TO THE FUTURE helped to solidify Canadian pint-sized actor Michael J. Fox as a marquee star that capitalised on his success in FUTURE with the cult comedy TEEN WOLF which, whilst not as good, certainly benefitted from Marty McFly’s odyssey to get his parents to meet before he disappeared in a different decade.
The 1980s have been well-documented in the last four decades as a time of excess all around – bling, hair and money and – for a while at least – Fox was a bankable star on the big-screen with the likes of THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS, THE HARD WAY and DOC HOLLYWOOD giving him sustainable appeal at the box-office. John Badham’s THE HARD WAY was a masterclass in comedy from Fox as a spoilt Hollywood actor wanting to research a role as a cop under the cynical and unappreciative eye of his muse in the NYPD (James Woods in excellent form)
Then, as he soon made public, Fox developed Parkinson’s Disease….
A new documentary from Apple+, STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE encompasses Fox’s life from his upbringing in Canada, to early local TV roles and then the leap of faith which led to superstardom and his path to notoriety as a major drinker in Hollywood bars and being pals with many of the Hollywood youth elite on show back in the day.
Using part of his memoir LUCKY MAN as points of reference, the film also brings into play his long-term marriage to actress Tracy Pollan whom he met whilst working on FAMILY TIES, the foundation of everything he has done over the years and whom has stuck with him when the tragedy of his condition hit hardest.
This is the great strength of this terrific documentary – A timely and eseential memoir from one of the world’s best talents, even more lovable now because of his personal struggles who still retains that glint of mischief in his eye throughout the 95 minute running time.
The love he shares with his adorable family is seen on occasion here and they all seem to possess the same appealing energy that made audiences fall in love with his portrayal of a Hill Valley time-travelling tourist nearly 40 years ago. Regardless of his challenges, Michael J. Fox will always be given a place in our lives.
A gem of a documentary.
Check out some images from South By South West and Sundance here:
Sundance:
South By South West:
