Science Fiction Comedy
Back to the Future is a science fiction comedy. It follows the adventure of a high school student and a mad scientist through time travel. There is also a romantic element to this film where the main character, Marty, has a girlfriend where they see their family and relationship in the future. This film would also fall under the classical genre since it is a Hollywood film featuring an American high school kid in the 1980s. Although this film was produced in the 1980s, it took the view back in time to the nostalgic version of the 1950s. It takes place in a small town in California where everyone lives the classic 50s family lifestyle. In the movie, families eat together, mothers stay home, dads go to work, and siblings bicker. Then there is the romantic side where Marty has a girlfriend, and he is also trying to get his parents to fall back in love. Time travel is the defining event in this movie that makes it a science fiction classic. A great example of why this a classical film would be the ending. In the end, the antagonist works for the boy he bullied, the mother’s life is happy and healthy, and Marty’s father is confident and successful. Marty in the end of the movie was also reunited with his girlfriend. Everything worked out and it ended on a happy note, besides the scene that anticipated the sequel. Science fiction elements in the film include when Marty was erased in the picture because prevented his parents from meeting. It is the race against time, or against his disappearance in existence. Obviously, this wouldn’t happen in real life. Time travel is the defining event in this movie that makes it a science fiction classic. When Marty is in the present, which is the 80s, there are neon colors and more modern designs of town and store buildings. When he is in the past 1950s, the vintage clothing and home décor is very prevalent. The way the director created a nostalgic view of the past is what makes it an American classical movie. There is a scene where Marty is at the dinner table with his mom, in the past, and they were talking about televisions and how it was extremely uncommon to have more than one TV in a family home unless they were a wealthy family. This was common in the 50s. The way they talked was also different and the write made sure to include that. Their mannerisms are very traditional, and he included the trans-Atlantic accents in those scenes.
