Marty’s parents not recognizing him in Back to the Future is often cited as the movie’s biggest plot hole, but there seems to be a logical explanation for it. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is known for being so scientifically accurate that it even predicted many future technologies. From biometric devices to mobile phones, from personal drones to wearable technology, Back to the Future impressively foresaw it all.
Like all time travel movies, though, Back to the Future has a fair share of paradoxes and time-related plot inconsistencies. However, despite having these, the film stands the test of time even to this day because of its ability to captivate viewers with its clever use of time travel, charismatic characters, and well-timed twists. Owing to its high entertainment value, Back to the Future is not expected to strictly adhere to all the laws of time travel, but one of its biggest plot holes still requires an explanation.
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George & Lorraine Forgot What “Calvin Klein” Looked Like By The Time Marty Grew Up
Audiences have always debated whether Marty’s parents in Back to the Future, George and Lorraine, could have forgotten what “Calvin Klein” looked like by the time Marty grew up. Fortunately, as big of a plot hole as this may seem, Back to the Future‘s co-writer Bob Gale has previously provided a plausible explanation for it. He highlighted how George and Lorraine only knew Calvin for six days when they were 17, and even during those six days, he did not spend all his time with them. Owing to this, it is possible that they still remember Calvin as the boy who served as a mediator between them and encouraged them to date.
However, when it comes to Calvin’s appearance, they likely have a faint idea of what he looked like but do not remember him well enough to notice how Marty looks a lot like him. They probably find it funny that they were friends with someone actually named Calvin Klein, but that, again, is not a parallel that would make them suspicious. George and Lorraine might have also noticed how Marty resembles Calvin Klein. However, given how one can always find two similar-looking people, George and Lorraine would not have considered it a big deal.
Why The Explanation For Back To The Future’s Plot Hole About Marty’s Parents Holds Up
The Back to the Future plothole explanation about Marty’s parents still holds up because, even if George and Lorraine ever grew suspicious about the similarities between Marty and Calvin, they would never be able to jump to the conclusion that their son traveled back in time to change the conditions of their relationship. It would just require immense suspension of disbelief from their end to believe something so bizarre. Not to mention, as Back to the Future‘s co-writer pointed out, it would nearly be impossible for Marty’s parents to clearly remember a person they knew 25 years ago, that too just for six days.
Back to the Future
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.
- Release Date
- July 3, 1985
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Cast
- Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson
- Rating
- PG
- Runtime
- 116 minutes
- Genres
- Adventure , Sci-Fi , Comedy
- Writers
- Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale
- Budget
- $19 million
- Studio(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Sequel(s)
- Back to the Future Part II , Back to the Future Part III
- Franchise(s)
- Back to the Future
