McCabe Movie Review

Back to the Future I:  The Perfect Movie?

I admit, I have been going through a Back to the Future phase.  My husband thinks I am insane (even though he loves the franchise).  I have obsessively watched Parts I and II over and over during the last few weeks.  (III doesn’t count – it just doesn’t!)

Many have said that this is the perfect movie.  Indeed, classes have been dedicated to studying the screenplay at film schools.  It’s a tight script – no fooling.  There isn’t one scene that is extraneous or not adding to the story.  But is it really?  McCabe Movie Review will answer that!

BTTF introduces us to a simpler world in 1985 where teenager Marty McFly, played by the excellent actor Michael J. Fox, leads a fun and carefree life with his girlfriend and off-the-wall mentor and friend, Doc Brown.  Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) is a wacky scientist whose inventions can be hit-or-miss.  Marty’s only real problem seems to be his family – his parents and siblings are just complete losers.

The inciting incident occurs early in the morning of October 26, 1985 when Doc Brown finally has an invention that pays off.  He has built a time machine, in the form of a cool looking Delorean car that can travel back in time!  Unfortunately, before he can enact his plan in the parking lot of the Twin Pine Mall, Doc Brown is shot by terrorists.  While trying to escape, Marty accidentally travels back in time to November 5, 1955 as the Delorean and hits that magical speed of 88 miles per hour.

Once Marty is transported to 1955, silly time-traveling chaos ensues.  He accidentally rewrites history by getting hit by his mom’s father’s car and becoming the object of her amorous pursuits.  This had originally happened to his dad, and now Marty has accidentally changed the timeline – this threatens his own existence!  How’s that for a conflict to overcome?

Along with an exciting, interesting conflict that has its audience totally onboard, this movie has heart.  We can all relate to being bullied and pushed around.  And on a darker level, we can all relate to the idea of not existing – terrifying.  We root for Marty and Doc, want him to get back to his life in 1985 and more importantly, to exist. 

I recently enjoyed following the (true) lore that Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty, but was fired 6 weeks into filming.  6 weeks!  Apparently, he took the script way too seriously, and played the main character with a tragic vibe, missing the hijinx and funny nuance that the directors and writers originally wanted.   They were able to get Michael J. Fox after some painful conversations and letting Stoltz go.  But Eric Stotlz pointed out in the first table read the tragedy of Marty McFly:  he will now live in a 1985 that he has never known – while his parents and siblings might be “successful” and “rich” now, Marty will have to exist in a world not meant for him, not something he has ever been a part of.  But at least he gets a cool truck!

This movie has great pacing, a catchy soundtrack by Huey Lewis and no scene feels unnecessary and moves the plot forward.  Most of all, it’s just fun.  The endless gags of 1985 Marty being in 1955 just don’t stop.  The writers played with “what if someone from 1985 was transported back into 1955?” When Marty has dinner with his teenage mom Lorraine’s family (his grandparents!) they are excited about watching Jackie Gleason on TV.  When Marty mentions he’s already seen this one and that it’s a rerun, he has met with blank stares and asked what a rerun is.  When he asks for a drink at a local diner there is all kinds of back and forth about “Tab”, “Pepsi Free” etc. and it never really ends.  Instead of the tragedy that Stolz was focused on, the movie is light, preferring to play off the lightness of the jokes and focusing less on the darkness. 

So yes, this is the perfect movie.  I could watch it over and over again, and do, while parenting a toddler.  My daughter likes it too!  Though 1985 was 40 years ago (!) life seemed easier and simpler then.  And everything is just freaking cool.  Now that we are living in a world that loves 80’s nostalgia, a Delorean, a skateboard and a video camera are all vintage items that are fun to watch.  And Michael J. Fox literally skips, hops and slides through each scene, effortlessly keeping the pace of the movie with his energetic bounciness.    Marty, who doesn’t seem to be science-oriented or have much ambition in the beginning besides being a rockstar (this is pretty normal for any 80’s teen IMO) quickly becomes very driven to get back to his old life and displays heroic feats to do so.  Doc Brown, never motivated by money or fame, embraces the study of the human condition with his invention. 

I’ll leave this review by saying I’m glad Michael J. Fox got to do this franchise before Parkinson’s cruelly eventually took his film and TV career.  At the time of filming this, he was also juggling a full-time role on Family Ties, shuttling back and forth with just a couple hours’ sleep each night.   He sure packed it in while he could.  Now he is an icon in another space, being the face of the Michael J. Fox Foundation and raising millions for others facing this condition.   What a guy.

Best time travel movie.  Stay tuned for my review of Part II!

5/5 stars