Screenplay by Melissa Mathison; produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
Spiritual metaphors abound in E.T., a captivating tale of a seemingly timid, misshapen creature from outer space, and Elliott, the young boy with whom E.T. develops a psychical relationship after he is marooned on earth. E.T. is no ordinary fantasy, but a sophisticated production by Hollywood’s foremost director, Steven Spielberg. The Universal film promises to be this year’s blockbuster.
One can’t help but see messianic significance in E.T. He heals cuts with a touch of his glowing finger and raises shriveled flowers to life. Indeed, E.T. himself rises from the dead in a scene that brings cheers from the audience.
Spielberg intends for his audience to have a spiritual experience. Even the movie’s newspaper ad invites a direct comparison to Michelangelo’s creation scene—only the hand arching downward is not God’s, but E.T.’s.
The relationship of Elliott to E.T. is a “type” of the Christian’s relationship to Christ. In a touching scene, Elliott says to E.T., “I’ll believe in you all my life.” And we, too, want to place ourselves in E.T.’s hands and believe. As E.T. prepares to leave earth, he lifts his glowing finger to Elliot’s forehead and cryptically states, “I’ll be here.” A new Pentecost?
The most blatant Christian symbol appears in the awe-inspiring conclusion, when E.T.’s spaceship streaks across the sky leaving a rainbow in its wake.
E.T.’s most disturbing message is its “justification of sin”: a subtle attempt to justify sinful behavior. Children’s profanity is portrayed as an acceptable part of an American family’s conversation. E.T. himself unknowingly gets drunk when he discovers a six-pack of beer. While this maybe outwardly cute, it shows a continuing trend in our contemporary culture to debase our heroes.
For many people, E.T. will offer momentary emotional release from lives of quiet desperation. For the Christian, this movie reveals the deep desire of the world for a superior intelligence and Savior.
Reviewed by Tom Mulder, an intern pastor in British Columbia.
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