How many of us liked who we were back in our high school days? I often wonder if we are honest and truthful about our professed popularity and our acceptance into the school’s ingrained hierarchy. Do we feel pride in how we dress, our body types, how we “handled” the opposite sex, and our gang of friends? Over the years gone by, are we correct in our memories of how others saw us as respectful and kind, or perhaps we were considered hot-headed, wishy-washy, or too blunt? I wondered if my friends really liked who I was decades ago. Deep down, I wanted to know if my future children would choose to be my friends. If we all took out our old senior yearbooks, would we feel regret at missed opportunities? Perhaps there was an instant where we found ourselves saying out loud…if only there was a way to go back and do things differently knowing what we know today? Wouldn’t that be amazing!
Recently, I revisited my 1967 yearbook. I was so young…full of hope, naivete’ and impatience. I thought I knew who I was back then and knew what I wanted to be or do with the rest of my life. Silly me. How could I possibly see my future self? There were too many twists and sharp turns ahead. Life has a way of surprising all of us with those ruts and holes along our paths. And here’s another dilemma…would I want to make any changes? Should I alter my timeline or someone else’s? Oh, the repercussions and domino effect of that “catastrophic” thought. One simple, minuscule alteration, and poof…everything we knew would be obliterated. Secretly though, between you and me, it could be a blast to travel from the future to the past just to witness those actual, special blips in time. This would set the “clock” of getting a bird’s eye view of that magical kiss or the first time really standing up for ourselves and shouting into the universe, “Enough!” Wow. This is exactly what happened to Marty McFly when he took an unexpected trip in the hilarious, brilliant film BACK TO THE FUTURE.
The idea for the first BACK TO THE FUTURE script was rejected 44 times before it was finally given the green light to be made. Even with the name of Steven Spielberg as one of the Executive Producers, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale as the writers, it was a hard sell. But Zemeckis (also the director) never gave up, and it went on to gross worldwide almost $400 million. (The budget was a mere $19 million. You do the math.) As an added bonus, the film was number one at the box office for over three months and won an Oscar for Best Effects. BTTF became a huge franchise with two extremely successful sequels.
I am not sure what exactly drew audiences to this film first. It could be the genius pairing of America’s teen heartthrob, Michael J. Fox as Marty, along with the crazy Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown. They were truly a match made in comedy heaven, even though Doc was 6’2” and Marty a mere 5’4”. Their timing and facial expressions were outstanding. I could hear Doc say, “Great Scott!” forever and still crack up each and every time. Their “kinetic” energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Non-stop action, fun, positive dialogues, and silly situations gave BTTF its oomph and merriment.
My favorite scenes have to be Michael’s make-shift skateboarding race through the center of town to get away from the infamous bully, Biff (Tom Wilson). Michael grew up skateboarding and had no problem with the creative stunts. Marty’s guitar playing at the prom dance was also priceless, as were all his moments with his future mom and dad. And one of the biggest giggles has to go to Doc slipping and sliding all around the clock tower. Physical comedy is difficult to pull off, yet Christopher makes it all look so easy.
The premise of the film is simple. It is 1985 when Doc invents a Time Machine out of a Delorian car. Through many foolish errors, Marty is “accidentally” thrust back in time to November 5, 1955. This is a few days before future mom Lorraine (Lea Thompson) and dad George (Crispin Glover) meet, fall in love, and kiss at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. All of these events must occur, or their children will cease to exist. Timelines cannot be messed with, and the Doc Brown of 1955 has to figure out a way to send Marty BACK TO THE FUTURE. Easy right? Oh, let the hilarity and games begin.
What made BTTF so memorable was the thought of witnessing your parents as who they really were as teens and not who they told you they were. What? You smoked, drank, and parked in cars with boys? Mind-blowing. The references to 1985 current events and specialty items were also smart and added to the story. (Ronald Reagan, Tab, Diet Pepsi, Calvin Klein, Darth Vader, and Einstein) These were clever and imaginative.
The costumes were perfect. Loved the mounds of crinolines. Can we ever forget wearing a puffer vest means you are wearing a life preserver? It was mostly filmed at Universal Studios back lots. This allowed Michael to continue working his day job on the television show FAMILY TIES while filming every night on BTTF. He has later said in interviews he doesn’t know how he survived such a grueling work schedule. We are all glad he did.
I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the music written specifically for this movie. Huey Lewis was the creator of THE POWER OF LOVE and BACK IN TIME. Flawless, creative choices. Fun fact…Huey was the judge who stood up and told Marty his music was too loud at his audition.
BACK TO THE FUTURE is a classic in every sense of the word. It sets audiences up for the sequel a mere thirty years in the future because “where we are going, we don’t need roads.” I would follow them anywhere…any time. Thanks for all the beautiful memories and joy.
BACK TO THE FUTURE is available to rent or buy.
