MovieChat Forums > Back to the Future Part II (1989) Discussion > I think that Biff's grandmother is only ...

I think that Biff's grandmother is only babysitting

posted 5 years ago by TM1617-2 (595)
4 replies | jump to latest

While one might assume from this movie that Biff is an orphan who lives with his grandmother, there seems to be more to the boy's familial story. In the original film, the kid storms around town untouched. Mr. Strickland subtly threatens Biff at times, but never does anything about the student's behavior. The leader of the bullying group can apparently pause all activity by entering an establishment. Even Lou, who is a rough and harsh man, is afraid to kick Biff out of the café. These things suggest that the Tannens are feared by the whole community, which would not be the case if only an elderly woman and her grandson were in the picture. Since Biff is poor, his father might be a crime boss who relies on street power to control others.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7394) 5 years ago

Funny you say his father is a crimeboss. In the X-Box 360 Tell Tale Game which imo is a great sequel to the movies, it's revealed that his father was a gangster. But that Biff was only conceieved in a small period of time when he escaped prison. Then right after he did it with Biff's mother he was arrested and sent back to prison. It would make sense how that could screw Biff up and turn him into a bad person.

[–] TM1617-2 (595) 5 years ago

That is an interesting coincidence, GreenGoblinsOck8. Are you referring to the same story in which the Tannens become dangerously powerful after Marty and teenage Doc make a mistake in the thirties? I haven't played any of the games, but am aware of those. That knowledge is not the basis for my first post, though. Something must be fueling Biff's extreme sense of self-entitlement and legal exemptions. Given that it is not money, I am guessing criminal power. Do the side stories that claim that the boy's father is in prison ever explain where Biff's mother is?

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7394) 5 years ago

Well yes. Those events happen in the game. And no. The game doesn't say anything about Biff's mother. I won't spoil anything else about the game. I am not 100% sure on this but I think you can buy the Back to the Future Tale Tell Game on Playstation Store and in X-Box's store.

[–] TM1617-2 (595) 5 years ago

Thank you for saving the story for me.