How Composer John Powell Tackled the Larger Than Life 'Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie'
“If I can find the essential part of somebody that I know, and I love, and I can just tease that out musically, then that’s a useful piece of music for the storytelling.”
Even with more than thirty years of industry experience and over 80 credits to his name, John Powell still finds himself learning new things and tackling unique challenges. The composer of all-time favorites such as Kung Fu Panda 1 and 2, the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, and multiple Jason Bourne movies found himself at a creative impasse in tackling his first ever documentary STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie.
The film, now critically acclaimed (including Powell’s Emmy-nominated score), is a surprisingly uplifting exploration of Fox’s struggle with Parkinson's disease; the grounded execution and candid emotion make it arguably one of the most special documentaries related to the film industry ever made. Don’t just take it from us; critically, the film holds a near-perfect 99%, with the consensus reading: “Poignant and profound, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie offers a captivating inside look at the life and career of a beloved entertainer.”
Powell, who’s current slated projects include Illumination’s upcoming holiday 2023 release Migration and the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, noted the difficulty of scoring a story as all-encompassing and, more importantly, real as Still, especially in comparison to his majority history in animation. On Fox’s gratified approach to his difficult life, Powell reflects “You start judging yourself. All I could feel is that I ain’t no Michael J. Fox.” Like all his works, he focused on getting as close to the story as he could regardless to understand it at its core, much like an actor would.
“It probably hurt to get close to it, because I realized my own failings, but… it then became inspirational to try.” These challenges in grasp and immersion led to a 5-month process for Powell, which he says is the longest he’s spent on a composition in his entire career. Despite paying off with the aforementioned Emmy nomination, Powell says he’d never do a documentary again unless he got to work with director David Guggenheim, the creative mind behind Still and a multitude more documentaries.
Though this one was too special to pass up. Wrapping the entire life story of a grand entertainment entity like Michael J. Fox is an objective challenge within itself; even watching the film from the outside, many have noted the difficult yet uplifting nature of the experience. Powell gave a nod to his past in animation, remembering resonant situations that he was able to steep himself into and “give up some good stuff” in regards to his work. Though, simply put, “This was harder because it was real” he said.
That, of course, is a natural effect. In an interview with the CBC, Fox said “"Nothing I did in this movie, nothing I do in my life, is for effect. I'm too old, I'm too tired, I can't do it," Fox said. "But if it's real then it's the easiest thing to do."” Some of the most influential films of all time have been hailed for their intense realism, and in that way, Still is one of a kind. It doesn’t have to strain for that impact, or according to Fox, the “effect”.
When asked about his strategy in approaching Still, in comparison to his usual method, he recalled a conversation he had with Guggenheim, “I was sort of hired as an animation composer who writes fun, joyful music for a very deliberate reason, which is Davis, the director, did not want, and neither did Michael, want the film to get bogged down in Parkinsons. He wanted joy in it, because Michael’s like that.” The film, as well as Powell’ score, are a direct reflection of Fox’s unshakeable outlook on his life; happy in the face of hurt.
Uplifting unexpectedly has defined Still in mainstream coverage, and Powell’s past of raucous, happy melodies and memorable tunes played a crucial part in executing that aspect. His Academy Award nominated turn in the oft-referenced How to Train Your Dragon is perhaps his most defining example in the type; he’s the perfect fit.
Moving forward, Powell may be set to return to his mastered ilk in animation and family-driven cinema, but his turn in Still certainly won’t be forgotten. His Emmy nomination won’t have a chance to come to fruition until January 2024, as the event was pushed back due to the ongoing writer’s strike. Regardless of the potential recognition, Powell delivered a grand display of calculated emotion and tried and true technique, in what is one of the year’s most undeniable highlights thus far.
With Migration set to release this December, it’ll kick off a hot two month stretch for one of the industry’s most bejewelled composers still working today, and if Still is any indication, he’s got a lot more in store for his already legendary career.
Be sure to check out the full video interview, below:
