Book Review - Future Boy by Michael J. Fox

Title: Future Boy
Author: Michael J. Fox
Genre: Non-Fiction/ memoir
Published: 2025
 
Description: In early 1985, Michaael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars on television. His world was bout to get even bigger, but only if he could survive duty unheard of in Hollywood. Fox’s days were already dedicated to rehearsing and taping the hit sitcom “Family Ties”, but then the change of a lifetime came his way. Soon, he committed his nights to a new time-travel adventure film being directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg – “Back to the Future”. Sitcom during the day, movie at night. Day after day, for months.
 
Fox’s nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the back lot at Universal Studios, from one dram job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFLy while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex’ bravado, Marty’s flair, and Fox’s comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special.
 
Review: In “Future Boy”, actor Michael J. Fox tells his story of when he filmed “Back to the Future” while also still rehearsing and taping for the sitcom he was on, “Family Ties”. Working on the show during the day, an filming for “Back to the Future” at night.
 
To start off, if you want to read this book, I highly recommend the audiobook. It’s narrated by Fox himself and also has some of the people he worked with sharing anecdotes, like Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Robert Zemeckis.
 
The book is very short, but for the fans of “Back to the Future” it’s definitely a must-read. It’s a fun, honest story, told with humor. It has a lighhearted tone that provides a lot fo insight into that period of his life. And although I really enjoyed it and it’s very inspiring, I felt like the book was too short and it does not delve deep enough. I would have liked to read more about this period in Fox’s life. The book does have a clear focus, specifically the time that he was shooting “Back to the Future” and what happened before and after that. It doesn’t go into his personal life too deep. Which doesn’t mean it’s not personal. It is. And it’s also a very positive book, it’s told with a sense of gratitude and optimism.
 
It's not a biography of Fox, it’s just one specific part of his life. A pivotal moment in his career. He has written other books, that focus on a more personal aspect of his life. If you’re looking for that, “Future Boy” is not the book for you. But if you’re a fan of “Back to the Future”, please read this. It might also give you some new insight on the movie and on the actor. I know it did for me. I for example did not know that the DeLorean was an afterthought and they initially wanted to use a refrigerator.
 
“Future Boy” is a quick non-fiction book, that gives you a glimpse into Michael J. Fox’s career during the making of “Back to the Future”, that is especially a must-read for lovers of this film. I surely enjoyed it.
 
Rating: 4/ 5