E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

With Universal Studios celebrating its 100th Birthday this year, a selection of their films have been screening at Sydney's State Theatre. 
It was some time in 1982/83 that my grandmother took my brother and myself to the State Theatre to see 'E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial'. It was one of my earliest film-going memories. So it was very exciting to be able to return to the State Theatre to see the film again. 
Except for a few pieces of technology the film holds up quite well after all these years. Most films these days that involve aliens coming to earth are all about and invasion with big ugly creatures. You very rarely get a an alien that looks as cute as E.T. The story's focus is small and intimate which makes it more emotional. Melissa Mathison has written an excellent film with great characters which you really come to care about over the film. It helps that E.T. was abandoned by his fellow aliens as it makes his plight all the more emotional. There is a very universal theme of someone (or something) being trapped in a strange place far from their home. E.T. has a very simple mission which is to get back home. It is a very sweet story too but Steven and Melissa manage to keep it from getting to saccharine. An effective technique is the way the government is handled. Keys is the government character who we only see from the perspective of his key chain. They are a shadowy presence who are only seen sparingly and so it makes them all the more menacing.
The kids in the film were all fairly unknown but all give excellent performances. They feel like real kids, their performances were that natural. Henry Thomas was very relatable as Elliot. We all felt as Elliot did because we were an outsider always trying to get in on the action. Then we find something which puts us into the action. Henry makes you want to be Elliot and help him get his friend rescued. Equally as realistic is Drew Barrymore. She is so sweet and adorable as Gertie. Robert MacNaughton is excellent as the bullying older brother. The adults play a very supporting role in the film. The only one we see a great deal of is the kid's mother played by Dee Wallace. As a single mother trying to look after her kids and juggle work she is wonderful. Peter Coyote is also excellent in a role where we hardly see him. He jiggles keys very effectively.

Seeing this film again in the same place I first saw it was a very emotional experience. This is very much a story that works well on the big screen.