So far everything written on this site has been structured like a long form essay. Those take some time to craft and write, so I wanted to try a few quick thoughts posts from our two most recent Movie Nights. First, Back to the Future, and hopefully later today, Les Miserables.
Back to the Future places a heavy emphasis on the belief
that your present life is eventually at the mercy of your past. The person you were will eventually become
the person you are. The McFly’s, Doc
Brown, and Biff are all the same characters they were in high school. The only way for the McFly’s family life to
improve is a change in the past because in the future they are locked into a
life of lower-middle class despair and angst.
This is really opposed to the Christian notion of an active
God and redeemer. The idea of redemption
and the capactity for growth assume the ability to develop and change over
time. Essentially, they assume that,
with the Spirit, we are not forever the person we are at any one time. The movie even makes a somewhat similar point
when Marty, an outside agent, forces George to confront his fears, thus
enabling him to be the kind of man who becomes “successful” as seen in the
return to 1985 at the end of the film.
Other topics of interest:
-Masculinity and bullying in the relationship between George
and Biff. George has to punch Biff to
assert himself as the dominant male.
-Stories we tell ourselves and their relative truth.
Lorraine tells Marty that she was never “that kind of girl”, but we learn that
in the past she truly is. Why do you
avoid telling the truth about who we are/were?
-Success is based on power and monetary wealth. Marty’s family is portrayed as poor and sad,
but then when they are rich and successful later, they are happy. The assumption is that “good” people overcome
their obstacles and become successful.
Peace,
Ben
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