Filling a Void

Rating: Null/10 (1 June 2002)

I think the biggest thing that gets overlooked in reviews of "ET" is the role E.T. plays in the life of the family.
The family has been abandoned by their husband and father.
The 3 kids are very different in ages and constantly bicker. Mom is struggling to cope.
Elliot is the middle child and feels alienated.
E.T. is curious and somewhat rebellious . It is his curiosity that takes him further away from the mothership than the other alien botanists, which is why they are forced to leave without him. Perhaps he feels similar estrangement. Both Elliot and E.T. feel abandoned.
E.T. bonds with Elliot and his family and they become united in cause to help E.T.