Still (2023)

 Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie is an American documentary directed by David Guggenheim.  It covers the life of actor Michael J. Fox who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over 30 years ago in 1991. The film is 95 minutes long and can be viewed on Apple TV.

Still is moving, funny and clear-eyed.  It puts a human face behind the tag, “Parkinson’s.”  One does ask, however, is MJF a best case scenario in that he has the means to get the best medical care as well as unlimited occupational and physical therapy?

The Wikipedia entry on MJF has a good section his Parkinson’s disease trajectory.

We are curious to see how neurologists with a special interest in movement disorders view this film.

Tracy Pollan (wife), Fox, Davis Guggenheim
This photo appeared in The Seattle Times on Jan 23, 2003

 

A Late Quartet (2012)

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A Late Quartet is a 2012 American drama film co-written (with Seth Grossman), produced, and directed by Yaron Zilberman.[3][4] The film uses chamber music played by the Brentano String Quartet and especially, Beethoven's Op. 131.[5] The film was released in Australia as Performance.

As the Fugue String quartet approaches its 25th anniversary, the onset of a debilitating illness to cellist, Peter Mitchell (Christopher Walken), forces its members to reevaluate their relationships. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Peter announces his decision to play one final concert before he retires. Meanwhile the second violinist, Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman), voices his desire to alternate the first violinist role, long held by Daniel (Mark Ivanir). Robert is married to Juliette (Catherine Keener), the viola player of the group. Upon discovering Juliette does not support him in this matter, Robert has a one-night stand. Further complicating matters, their daughter, Alexandra (Imogen Poots), begins an affair with Daniel, whom her mother once pined for. Yet bound together by their years of collaboration, the quartet will search for a fitting farewell to their shared passion of music and perhaps even a new beginning.

Definitely high-brow.  Beautifully done and ethereal music!!

Love and Other Drugs (2010)

From NetFlix: Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson's disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy's memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick. 2010 112 minutes

Fluff -- but enjoyable and interesting comments on Pharm Reps -- Side-Effects was deeper.

Awakenings

From Netflix: Based on the true story, medical researcher Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) attempts to treat a group of patients who've laid comatose in a Bronx hospital for 30 years. Sayer prescribes an experimental drug, and it works. Robert De Niro co-stars as a patient unconscious since adolescence who must come to terms with life as an adult. 1990 120 minutes

Be sure to look at trailer on Nexflix site.

The film is based on work done by Oliver Sacks in the Bronx, NY. Sacks coached Robin Williams who gives a fantastic performance. You can read the Backstory on Oliver Sack's Website.