Podtalk: Director Davis Guggenheim on ‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’

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CHICAGO – An essential documentary will stream on Apple TV+ beginning May 12th. “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” directed by Davis Guggenheim (“An Inconvenient Truth”) combines interview, re-creations and most telling, clips of Fox’s film/TV appearances to highlight his triumph and later, his Parkinson’s Disease.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

The film incorporates documentary, archival and scripted elements, recounting Fox’s extraordinary story in his own words - the improbable tale of an undersized kid from a Canada who rose to the heights of stardom in 1980s Hollywood. The account of Fox’s public life … full of nostalgic thrills and cinematic gloss … dovetails with his private journey, including the years that followed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease (along with his foundation advocacy in the search for a cure). The film chronicles Fox’s triumphs as well as his travails, and explores what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease.

“DGS"
’Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,’ Directed by Davis Guggenheim (inset)
Photo credit: Apple TV+

The process approach to the documentary was bold, and it was also so uplifting and entertaining that it absolutely qualifies as “A Michael J. Fox Movie.” What was particular effective is when director Davis Guggenheim, with his editor Michael Harte, intercut the miles of clip history to create the MJF man in motion. This creative approach gives Fox the narrative that makes sense, and the recognition that he deserves.

Davis Guggenheim is a writer, director and producer. His narrative credits include TV’s “NYPD Blue,” “ER,” “24,” “Alias,” “The Shield” and “Deadwood,” in addition to documentaries including the Oscar-winning “An Inconvenient Truth” “Waiting for ‘Superman’” and “It Might Get Loud.”  Since 2006, Guggenheim is the only filmmaker to release three different docs that were ranked within the top 100 highest-grossing documentaries of all time … the three films mentioned above. Guggenheim is married to actor Elisabeth Shue.

“Fox"
Michael J. Fox Appears at SXSW, with ‘Still’ Director Davis Guggenheim
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Davis Guggenheim talks about the process and procedure of his latest documentary …

Trailer for “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” …

”Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” will stream on Apple TV+ beginning on May 12th. Featuring Michael J. Fox. Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2023 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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