Episode Overview
This week, we’re rewinding to 1985—or is it 1955? We revisit Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future, the movie that gave us a time-traveling DeLorean, one of the most quotable mad scientists in film, and a family subplot that’s still pretty awkward to talk about. We break down Marty, Doc, George, Lorraine, Biff, and the convoluted rules of time travel.
Movie Synopsis
Teenager Marty McFly accidentally travels back to 1955 in Doc Brown’s DeLorean time machine. To make it back to 1985, Marty has to repair history after disrupting his parents’ first meeting, all while dodging bullies, navigating his mother’s teenage crush on him, and helping Doc capture lightning to power the flux capacitor.
Cast
- Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly): Originally not cast due to his Family Ties schedule, Fox replaced Eric Stoltz mid-production and turned Marty into an icon of the decade.
- Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown): From Taxi to time travel, Lloyd brought manic energy to the role that cemented his place in 80s pop culture.
- Lea Thompson (Lorraine Baines McFly): Previously seen in Howard the Duck and later in Some Kind of Wonderful, Thompson plays both teenage and adult Lorraine.
- Crispin Glover (George McFly): Known for eccentric roles, Glover’s quirky take on George gave the character an offbeat vulnerability.
- Thomas F. Wilson (Biff Tannen): The archetypal 80s bully, Wilson nailed the role and went on to voice Biff in multiple spin-offs.
Behind the Scenes
- Budget: Originally around $15 million, but ballooned to $19 million after reshoots when Stoltz was replaced by Fox.
- Filming Locations: Universal Studios’ Courthouse Square, Puente Hills Mall (Twin Pines Mall), Whittier High School, and the Gamble House in Pasadena (Doc’s 1955 home).
- Fun Facts:
- Fox filmed Family Ties during the day and Back to the Future at night, often sleeping only a few hours.
- Huey Lewis, who wrote “The Power of Love,” appears as a Battle of the Bands judge and dismisses Marty’s band as “too darn loud.”
- The movie was edited in just seven weeks to make its July 3, 1985 release date.
Critical Reception
Back to the Future became the highest-grossing film of 1985, earning more than $388 million worldwide. It holds a 93% critic rating and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Contemporary critics praised its humor, inventive time-travel concept, and heart. Some, like Eleanor Ringel Cater, criticized its nostalgic take on the 1950s, but overall it’s widely regarded as one of the best films of the decade.
Our Verdict
On the Cringe Scale, here’s where we landed:
- Carole: 2/10 – The time travel rules may be shaky, but the movie still works almost perfectly.
- Jeannine: 4/10 – Docked points for the uncomfortable “mom crush” subplot, but the rest holds up.
- Kristin: 3/10 – A classic that earns its place in the 80s canon, but not without a few eyebrow-raising moments.
Final word: Back to the Future is still lightning in a bottle.
Music:
Intro: Romantic Synthsound by Playsound
Outro: Retro Energy by Universfield
Sound Effects: Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
