Excellent and moving

Rating: 8/10 (24 April 2016)

What would happen if aliens exist and one of them was found by a child alive and well, but lost on our planet and eager to return to his home? This is precisely the subject of this film, which is part of the collective memory of most people and that is undoubtedly one of the most notable films of Steven Spielberg's career. Directed by him and with a script by Melissa Mathison, this film has the participation of Henry Thomas (as Elliott) and Drew Barrymore (as Gertie). The alien's voice belongs to Pat Welsh, an old woman who smoked two packs of cigarettes daily just to achieve the hoarseness required for the role (at a time when technology wasn't what we have today, that's what was done, and I just hope she didn't suffer from the lungs later).
Personally, I consider this the most remarkable film of Spielberg's career so far, despite the success he achieved before with "Jaws" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and even of many other blockbuster films he made after. Spielberg has always shown a particular talent for sci-fi themes, very present in his work and presented here at an audience younger than what is normally the target of alien movies. Despite the theme and suspense throughout the film, we can consider it a family film. The suspense alternates with very funny moments, where children (and their interaction with their new friend) reign at all. Drew Barrymore deserves particular attention: this lovely girl, screaming like a grown, won with this film a well deserved stardom, unfortunately tapped the hard way over the next decade in an absolutely downward path, which the actress has only recently recovered. Henry Thomas was also good in his role, grabbing it with vigor and commitment. The special effects, as usual in films of this director, are excellent and the soundtrack is one of the best of John Williams. Some of the scenes on this film became so famous that come naturally to our memory and are known even to those who have never seen the movie. This is the case of the flying bike passing in front of the full moon, one of the most beautiful and striking scenes in sci-fi, along with that famous scene where E.T. finger lights touching on Elliott's forehead.
This film is recommended to all families of all ages. Its a truly timeless film, which was done without the massive computerization we are used to, which ends up being an advantage to make it more genuine. Moving and emotional, he entertains any audience so well that it's not surprising the huge success it had at the box office. Winner of Oscars for Best Soundtrack, Best Special Effects, Best Sound Effects and Best Sound (1983), it also won the Golden Globes for Best Dramatic Film and Best Soundtrack. This is that sci-fi film that will decidedly please even those who don't appreciate this kind of movies.