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It may be a new year, but were not ready to terminate the book on 2023 quite yet.
Still: A Michael J.
Fox Movieis about forward motion.
Its also, obviously, a portrait of Michael J.
Before Parkinsons, Guggenheim asks his subject early in the movie, what did it mean to be still?
I wouldnt know, Fox responds, looking directly into the camera.
I was never still.
Just slow it down, the trainer advises over and over again.
(Cue the sha la la from theFamily Tiestheme.)
To the credit of both Guggenheim and Fox, it refuses to do that.
True, it is hard to watch Foxs unrelenting determination and feel anything other than deep admiration.
But the movie is not demanding anyone feel that way nor straining to jerk tears out of its audience.
It is matter-of-fact, even when those facts arent necessarily flattering to its subject.
In some ways, its a time-travel movie about one of the most famous time travelers in movie history.
Its this Michael J.
Fox stuff, he tells his trainer as if hes referring to someone other than himself.
Thats the most powerful thing you could ever feel, and thats a huge responsibility.
And I dont want to fuck it up.
IfStillis a time-travel movie, its also a movie about how precious time is.
Again, Fox pauses for a few seconds to consider.
My world is getting smaller, he finally says.
But its also realistic enough to make it very clear that no one knows how much.
