In a new Apple TV+ documentary titled Encore: A Film by Michael J. Fox, the star of the trilogy Back to the future shared moving confessions about his more than three-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease.

On January 21, the autobiographical documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. After the screening, Michael J. Fox received a standing ovation for several minutes. This film has managed to earn a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating from all critics who have reviewed it so far.

Michael J. Fox tells his story like never before

Diagnosed at 29, Michael J. Fox has lived with Parkinson’s disease for more than three decades. As a result, the 80s star had to put his career on hold, but not before extending his withdrawal from the recording sets beyond the bounds of possibility.

Today, at 61, the Canadian interpreter opens his heart to us and makes moving revelations about him in Encore: A Film by Michael J. Fox from AppleTV+. If the documentary is marked by the characteristic humor of the famous actor, it does not leave aside his diagnosis of Parkinson’s when he was at the height of his success, as well as his attempts to keep the information secret for a decade, his inevitable public announcement, until arriving at his current work through the Fox Family Foundation.

He became an alcoholic because of his illness

In 1991, Michael J. Fox learned that he had Parkinson’s disease, at the height of his success in Hollywood. As he revealed, while doctors predicted that it would be completely impossible for him to continue playing in ten years, for the next seven years he tried to hide the disease from the public, but also from himself.

However, the denial led him to a deep depression and to take refuge, first, in dopamine pills which he consumed “as if they were candy on Halloween”, but in the face of their null effect, he s turned to alcohol, quickly developing an addiction.

I took refuge in alcohol. After being diagnosed, I had no idea what was happening to me or what was going to happen.

A heartbreaking confession that is contained after Michael said he was completely sober, thanks in part to the unconditional support of his wife, Tracy Pollan, to whom he has been married since 1988.

He was definitely an alcoholic. I have now been sober for 30 years. My family helped me overcome my addiction.

His tireless fight to try to eradicate Parkinson’s disease

last November, Michael J. Fox received an honorary Oscar from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an award given to both his career and the courage he has shown and the fight he continues to lead in trying to eradicate Parkinson’s disease.

The first exact one is not yet known in diffusion of Encore: A Film by Michael J. Foxbut it should be coming to Apple TV+ in the near future.