Whether you saw “Back to the Future” in theaters during the fall of 1985 or are just barely watching it for the first time, there is no denying the timeless quality that comes with this blockbuster film. It is one of those films that most people can remember seeing for the first time.
The film’s premise is simple: a high schooler accidentally goes back in time. What makes the story novel is the choice to make the time travel revolve around Marty McFly’s parents’ time as teenagers. This creates the emotional crux of the film as Marty learns about himself through the younger versions of his parents, and they learn from him. There is something magical about a film with time travel that feels so timeless.
The central location in “Back to the Future” is a small town square. The 1980s version of the city location features homelessness, graffiti, a broken clock tower, and adult video stores. The town is popping with activity, but it is clear that the location was a shell of what it once was. On the other hand, the 1950s version of the town square feels dreamlike. It has an almost playhouse feeling, and it becomes clear that it is a callback to the melodramas that dominated 50s culture. Even with the film being an examination of 1950s cultures through the nostalgic lens of the 1980s, it never once feels dated.
It is remarkable how dialed in actor Christopher Lloyd is with his portrayal of the crazy scientist, Dr. Emmet Brown. Lloyd spends most of the film giving over-the-top line readings about Marty’s future and the creation of time travel, but when the movie asks for more of a sentimental performance, he delivers.
On the other hand is Michael J. Fox, who is hot off one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1980s, “Family Ties”. Fox plays the cool but kind of awkward 17-year-old Marty McFly. Of course, someone with the name of “Marty McFly” skateboards, is in a rock band, and has a girlfriend. Fox is pretty much perfect in the role; he has the comedic timing needed to elevate the film to a new level. Actor Eric Stoltz was initially cast for the role of Marty and even shot a few scenes for the film before Fox was chosen instead. The scenes filmed with Stoltz make it clear that Fox was the right choice for this character.
The screenplay crafted by director Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale is clever and charming, which makes the film’s atmosphere inviting. Fun character moments aside, it is the structure of the screenplay that has made the film such a great time revisiting over the past 40 years. In the first act of “Back to the Future,” Zemeckis makes the choice of telling the audience everything they need to know about the rest of the movie, without making it obvious. This way, when the film makes a reveal, there is a moment of satisfaction for the audience members. It feels likely to be piecing together a puzzle in all the right ways. It all culminates in a science fiction story that is accessible for everyone, not just the geeks and nerds that the film both celebrates and pokes fun at.