This 1982 masterpiece, created by Steven Spielberg and Melissa Mathison, remains, to this day, one of the most beloved stories in the history of film. This film is the story of a young boy (and his siblings) who find a new, and unique, friend and live life to the fullest (at least temporarily) after their discovery. While science-fiction films were becoming more and more popular around this time period, there is something about this film that resonated (and still does) with audiences and made the film as popular as it is. Films like Ridley Scott’s Alien and George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope were able to reach audiences with certain levels of intensity and action, with obvious connections to the audiences emotions, but, this film was able to reach audiences on an entirely new level. With the help of the extra-terrestrial and Henry Thomas’ Elliott, Spielberg and Mathison were able to tell a story of innocence that touched the audience in a way that I’m unsure ever happened in a film in this genre prior to this release. The friendship and the overall bond that is formed between the two main characters, almost immediately after they first meet, is touching due to the fact that this relationship is so innocent. The two seem to understand one another on a level unlike many have seen in film before. Spielberg presents a story of how important love is and how it is very literally life-altering. Through incredible visuals, touching (and funny) dialogue, this story is told in a way that so perfectly hits audiences of all ages and allows them the ability to understand the importance of friendship. Certain decisions that were made while making this film made the film even more enjoyable. For instance, Spielberg chose to shoot the majority of the film from the level of a child to make a greater connection to Elliott and E.T. While the world knows that Steven Spielberg is a movie mastermind, this film, in particular, (even after his sensational success with Jaws just seven years prior) solidified his place in Hollywood stardom as he said to audiences “I’ll be right here.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083866/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1
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