STILL Michael J Fox Doc Will Instill Inspiration

STILL is the bio pick of Michael J Fox who first gained nat'l attention on the hit TV series FAMILY TIES  (1982-89) as Alex P. Keaton. While working on the series,  Fox was cast as the lead in BACK to the FUTURE which propelled him into superstardom.  Fox's gargantuan comedic timing and talent are condensed within his 5'4" frame which towered at the elite echelon of actors in Hollywood during the 80s.  The doc. STILL is also an exemplary bio-pic incorporating film clips, family footage, re-enactments, interviews and access to his present regiment which all make for an entertaining and thoughtful examination of a charmed life withstanding limitations caused by Parkinson Disease. The film opens with Fox's primping for the cameras. When asked about the film's title, "Still,"  "I was never still" replies a smiling, shaky Fox who regales us how he ran out of the house undetected at age 2 to the local candy store  with money in hand. Kinetic energy follows Fox throughout his childhood. His younger sis soon surpasses her older brother in height. As a teen, Fox crashed the family car repeatedly, maintained a C- average, played hockey and found his way into drama where he felt at home; especially with all the girls. Fox quickly landed a role on a TV sitcom in his native Canada. He pleaded with his parents to allow him to pursue acting in the states. With the support of his dad but little financial support, Fox dropped out of h.s. and moved into a studio apartment where he subsisted on McDonalds while auditioning.  Fox surprised me by saying, "People think actors do what they do because they're super confident. I do it to spend more time being someone other than myself." Regardless, Fox exudes confidence, tenacity and warmth. Fox addresses a period of being a workaholic and alcoholic putting huge strains on his marriage to actress Tracy Pollan whom he met when she guest starred on FAMILY TIES. Their marriage is still going strong as are his family ties. Home videos are a welcomed portion of STILL. So too are the reels from his hit shows, films and TV interviews. The repeated scenes of a shadowed figure running down long hallways towards a light are the only excess baggage to a well paced, entertaining journey through Fox's life. Fox chose to hide his diagnosis from everyone for 7 years out of fear of harming his career when the pressures of filming SPIN CITY in front of a live audience exacerbated his symptoms. Observing Fox's  P/T, Dr visits and dealings with the progression of Parkinson is poignant without arousing sympathy.  Perhaps, some envy for what's afforded him financially is justified. Overall, this is a radiant film that sheds light on a gifted actor with fascinating career and loving family buoyed upon pragmatic optimism and exuberance.