Back to the Future: A Film That Teaches Us About the Past, Present, and Future
Introduction
Welcome to the Catholic Movie Club! We're going to have some fun with the blockbuster movies
of July this month and this week we'll take a closer look at the iconic film
"Back to the Future" directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Summary
"Back to the Future" which was released
in 1985 follows the story of a teenage McFly (Michael J. Fox) who is helped by
his eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) by using a time
machine to solve a big problem. taken and reaches back in time to 1995.
Knowingly and unknowingly, he starts interfering in the love story of his own
parents, due to which his current studies are going to be in danger. At this
point, Marty must gather the items he needs to get the time machine running
again, but the problem doesn't end there as he must find a way to find his
parents and restore the timeline.
Themes
Beyond its thrilling narrative,
"Back to the Future" imparts valuable lessons. In a way, it warns us about the dangers of thinking too
much about the past, but it is also not afraid to let us know the benefits of
revisiting it. It has been shown in the film that we can make changes within
ourselves and this film inspires us to fulfill our dreams. Marty's actions bring about subtle
alterations to history, but the most profound transformation occurs within
himself as he develops a new perspective on his parents. In the present day,
his father, George, is portrayed as a foolish character working for Biff, while
his mother, Lorraine, battles alcoholism. However, when transported to 1955,
Marty witnesses his parents in their youth, discovering their vibrancy, dreams,
and moments of bravery. This newfound understanding enables him to appreciate
his parents as individuals with flaws, fears, aspirations, and extraordinary
acts of courage. Furthermore, Marty learns the importance of recognizing and
expressing gratitude for his parents' guidance and advice, even beyond his own
initial skepticism.
Reflection
While Marty's journey involves
time-traveling in a modified DeLorean car, our own means of traversing time lie
in the realm of memories. Although we cannot physically revisit our past,
engaging in reflective contemplation allows us to extract valuable lessons from
our personal histories. It can also serve as a pathway to encounter the divine.
By prayerfully revisiting our memories, we can recall significant moments and
strive to develop a heightened awareness of the sacred encounters we may have
overlooked. When we engage in prayerful recollection, similar to an examen, a
Jesuit practice that invites us to review our day under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, we gain a fresh perspective on the people in our lives. Rather
than engaging in negative interactions or conversations, we approach
challenging individuals with empathy and understanding, contemplating their
journeys and envisioning the inspirations that may have shaped them. It opens
up the possibility of deeper comprehension and compassion.
Conclusion
"Back to the Future" reminds
us that while fixating excessively on the past can be perilous, revisiting it
with discernment can enhance our readiness to face the present and future with
love and grace.
Where to watch
If you guys have understood my words, then you
must watch this movie once, which is a good thing, if you want, this movie is
available for free streaming with advertisements on Pluto TV and Tubi. You can
also rent or buy it on platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and Vudu. I hope
you enjoy it as much as I do. Thanks
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