Future Games

Strange to say, we have not seen Back to the Future, until now. You see, we lived in Japan in the 1980s, and there were only a few TV shows to watch in English. We watched Miami Vice (liked it), Sledge Hammer (loved it), Moonlighting (yeah, actually loved it) and Family Ties. Little House on the Priarie was also on, but Family Ties was as low as we were willing to go. Michael J. Keaton was such a smug jerk in that show that we never really wanted to see him in anything else.

Finally broke down. Glad I did. OK, Keaton's character is still a bit smug in this. I kind of can't get used to teen protagonists who are cool, not bullied outcasts (still haven't seen Ferris Bueller). But that's not the point.

The point is, this is a brilliantly constructed, intricately realized, fun and funny movie. The tricky time-travel plot. The audaciously incestuous attraction of Keaton's 1950's mom for her future son. Crispin Glover! Why didn't anybody tell me how much Crispin Glover is in this movie?

And the details: this is why I love Robert Zemeckis. Take for instance, when Keaton is talking to his girl, you see in the background a sex shop, a strip club, etc. When she talks to him, you see a sign for wedding rings. It's not in your face - I mean it is, but casual-like.

Also, Christopher Lloyd. And Wendy Jo Sperber!

So, great movie. I don't suppose this is news to anybody. Looking forward to the two sequels.