Here are 7 takeaways from 'Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie' at SXSW

Countless people know Michael J. Fox as the star of "Back to the Future" and "Family Ties," as a witty man who never fails to make them laugh and as a staunch advocate for Parkinson's disease research.

But in the new documentary "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie," fans have the chance to see him with a depth they've never seen before.

"It's about loss, it's about resiliency, it's about love and joy and surprises, and it's not just another documentary," Fox told the Statesman on the red carpet of the Paramount Theatre before a March 14 screening during South by Southwest Film & TV Festival.

Here are a few key takeaways of the film, which starts streaming May 12 on Apple TV+.

Movement vs. stillness

A running theme throughout the film is that Fox has never been still. When his documentary team asked what being still meant before Parkinson's disease, Fox said he wouldn't know.

Viewers can see his physical therapist continually tell him to take things slow during physical therapy sessions.

Toward the end of the film, Fox said his constant movement kept him from feeling fully immersed in the present moment. He no longer struggles with that as greatly because Parkinson's disease shakes him awake, as he put it.

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Packed schedule

Fox worked on "Back to the Future" and "Family Ties" at the same time, leading to a very difficult schedule. He would perform in "Family Ties" starting around 9:30 a.m. and then head to the shooting location for "Back to the Future" around 6 p.m. He'd work on the iconic film until just before sunrise, and then he'd go home for only two to three hours of sleep before doing it all again.

Meeting his wife

"Family Ties" brought Fox and Tracy Pollan together after she was cast in the role of Ellen Reed, a girlfriend to Fox's character, Michael P. Keaton. Fox said he fell in love with Pollan because she didn't tolerate any funny business and would call him out if necessary.

When asked in the film to describe Pollan as a human, Fox simply said "clarity." He also said that even if he was the king of England or Elvis Presley, she would still be herself because she's such a genuine person.

Facial symptoms

Parkinson's disease can lead to a slowed blinking rate, as well as decreased facial expressions. Fox thought maybe these symptoms were a sign of growing more comfortable on camera and no longer needing to "ham it up" so much. In reality, it was an effect of his disease.

Hiding from the world

Fox kept his diagnosis a secret for seven years. He would hide his shaking left hand on set by having something to fiddle with. The film showed clips from some of his movies while discussing the way he masked, and sure enough, his left hand always connected to an object, whether it was a jacket or a pamphlet or even a rotary phone.

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Alcohol use and sobriety

Fox turned to alcohol to cope with his life-changing diagnosis. Now, he's gone 30 years without a drink.

Living his truth

Revealing his diagnosis to the world felt like a beginning rather than an end, Fox said in the film. He could freely live without masking his symptoms, and to his relief, people still accepted him and saw him as the beloved actor who stole their hearts.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Here's what we took away from "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie" at SXSW