Chapter 230: After-Screening Congratulations
In all fairness, the 'Back to the Future' that everyone has just seen was truly something else.
For the 80s, a witty and intriguing story is enough to sell to people but its worth is racking up with ingenious special effects onboard.
Time travel movies have never been in short supply.
Mankind has gotten a pretty good grasp on the whole "space" thing, but the construct of time still eludes us. And like just about anything that eludes us, it also fascinates us.
But 'Back to the Future' is a very different sort of time travel movie.
BttF is a whole different animal. It's a comedy, yes, but while the concept is a little out there and certain characters aren't exactly big on subtlety, the movie isn't totally over-the-top.
For the most part, these seem like real people, making real choices and acting… well, sort of like how normal people might act.
Which is why the question of 'what would happen if I was in Marty's scenario' always comes to mind.
Most people in this premiere were already sold with what they've seen and appreciate it for what it was.
The prospect of box office is still unclear, however, there was no denying that there was a high chance that everything would be a hit.
With that, congratulations are in order... making the applauding premiere to be put into scrambly chaos... of congratulations!
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Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale were being hounded by the peers around them. There was no sliver of doubt that this wouldn't happen as everyone was clear on whose passion project everything was.
The 40 plus rejection story could be heard and was being gratified by the crowd. The duo finally felt that all they've been through was worth it.
Of course, the obvious Biff Tannen being a fictionalization of Universal exec Ned Tannen was being ribbed around as well.
In any case, the Universal representatives felt like they were swallowing sour grapes!
How could they not feel that way when the talked-about premiere movie was developed under their noses?
The electrocuted clock was their's and so was the set that made everything happen. When people talked about the specifics of these set pieces, they felt great envy instead of the supposed pride.
No matter how "integral" their Universal Studios Lot was for the making of the film, the "integral" part stops there as Columbia, Creed, and the various theater companies would be the ones sharing the spoils.
It made them think back on why they never jumped on the opportunity dangling in their territory... and when they dig deeper into it, they felt sour again.
Didn't they back off because Spielberg backed off on the participation and thought that it was an omen of an unsuccessful film?
Whoever thought of that deserves to get fired, given that Spielberg plus Lucas was clearly in this premiere, praising the film as a masterpiece.
In any case, Universal felt like they made a universal loss.
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Of course, the hounding onslaught towards the Rob and Bob duo was not an isolated incident.
They were mostly the apple in the eye of production-savvy people but celebrities had much more spotlight and attention to relish.
At the center of celebrity targeting in this after-film congratulatory wave is, of course, Michael J. Fox.
He was the hip and cool Marty McFly who just traveled through time and back again!
No matter how tired Fox felt throughout the filming process along with the Family Ties, he felt that it was all worth it with the treatment he has now.
He was the protagonist of a marvelous film and he felt like he was the protagonist of this exuberant film premiere.
If there really was a time-traveling DeLorean that can change the course of history, Fox wouldn't change his decision to be part of BttF at all!
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Fox's sentiment was not the only one as his cast members felt the same.
Lloyd was now Dr. Brown in everyone's perceptions. As debilitating as that is for an actor, it was better than the relative unknown he had been in before.
He had to practice 'Great Scott!' and '88 miles per hour' a couple of times from now, so that he could do some fanservice to anyone he comes across.
Doc Brown's sentiment was not echoed by Thomas Wilson as he had played the mainly hateful Biff. Anyways, that was the fate of an antagonist and he could only accept that.
For screen couples Thompson and Stoltz, well they were sort of the main driving force for most of the plot and were quite grateful that they did their part well.
Playing a mom that fell in love with her kid was no easy feat at all. As much second-thinking she had about playing the role, she was just glad that she was through it now.
As for Stoltz, well... he was glancing in Thompson's direction from time to time... clearly still playing his role as the other half of a romantic fling!
Of course, he was also grateful that he got to play the part of George McFly and the premiere crowd could not deny that his bumbly character drove the film to some of the greatness that it was.
Although the much backgrounder roles weren't really given much spotlight, they were glad that they got to take part in the experience.
For Claudia Wells... she was banking on the much prominent role that Jennifer would have in the sequels. It was going to be sweetheart-y again but that was good enough.
Meanwhile, Sperber was already pretty happy that her Sister McFly part was a bit relevant through most of the film. Although she was just in a still picture and disappearing at that... at least it was relevant overall.
Brother McFly was in the same boat as her... Reeves had a bit more going for him though as his handsome face along with the other two handsome faces beside him was catching the premiere-going ladies' attention.
Granted, the 'Phoenix Reeves through the Depp' trio was already satisfied with what they've got.
Depp was a bit looking forward to Douglas Needles' eccentricity in future installments while River was cherishing the opportunity to play the Baines uncle part that was part of the 1955 Baines family table.
As much as split-second-y his screen time was, any actor would already feel grateful to be part of an ambitious production. With the current premiere's success hopefully translating to box office, the dismissable split-second-y role might just be a game-changer for their Phoenix family.
Although River had 2 films on the belt this year with many prominent roles for him, it wouldn't hurt to be somewhat part of a third one.
Of course, River was also looking towards a certain kid in the premiere crowd as his Creed conjectures may or may not be proven on this very night.
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The congratulatory crowding ensued as it is...
Not far from the hubbub and hotspot was Alexander, who had his self-congratulation for a job well done.
He had manipulated and influenced many things to reach this point after all. So... a mental pat on the back should be in order.
The Back to the Future picture book was his entire first phase of his re-life in the making and he was just in relief that it was more or less unfolding... hopefully to even greater heights!
Of course, his rare smile appeared and it looked much more memorable in his suited-up form.
"Haha! What do you think of grandpa's long-running gift, Alex?" Old Creed would not fail to notice that. "In fact, you don't have to tell me as your handsome smile tells it all."
Alexander did not forget to respond appropriately with much sincerity as can be. "Thanks, grandpa."
His old grandfather did a lot to make things happen and discounting it with his usual detached haughtiness was way too out of line.
"Hehe... don't mention it..." Old Sullivan wanted to be humble but had a change of heart. "Erm... maybe mention it... a lot of times! It's quite rare to have you evoking your sincerest emotion after all."
Alexander could only sigh at that.
Not far from the duo were the three lady invitees and they had their fair share of Alex banter as well.
Miss Galina was humming and inwardly commenting 'as expected of the mysterious entryway, even his first try into movies is amazing as well.'
Of course, Cocky Cox and Milla had thoughts of their own but Alex's amazingness came out on top of it all.
The Rare and handsome smile aside, it was quite breathtaking to note that Alex, the little boy friend they were mingling around with, had another success to add to his plethora of successes.
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In any case, after-screening congratulations were circulating all around the BttF premiere.