E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) *** There wasn't a lot of worthwhile pop art going in the first half of the '80s, but Steven Spielberg is much of what there was. He carried credibility into the era from earlier popular (and good) films, and there was never any question whose side he was on in the culture war that raged. That war wasn't, incidentally, ultra-conservatives vs. rational people, as it's so often depicted, but control freaks vs. ragged individualists. Of course, Steve is more interested in mass media than any of that, and wasn't about to make some sweeping indictment just to make sure he could go down with the ship. Just as well, going down with the ship is probably an over-rated revolutionary tactic. How do you think you get into position to make sweeping statements anyway, and with a budget like this! So instead he trots out this gem of a family film that puts a little sugar in your coffee. Sure, the hardcores across the ignorance belt weren't going to pick up on the subtlety of letting your kid drink a beer and listen to Jim Carroll without freaking out, but the ones that were already doing it could feel the pat on the back. Besides Steve's way with symbols, and slight John Williams musical phrasing with little bits of film, much of the appeal is in the cuteness of the monster. We like to think of gentle beings from outer space who heal things with their minds. On the other hand, so far as cuteness goes, E.T. doesn't have anything on Drew Barrymore or the dog, so I think it's safe to say that we have a fine planet full of quality creatures going here! See, Steve does that, he makes you feel good. High art or pop psychology on celluloid, it's not a bad thing. You're probably not even supposed to think this far, but Steve's portrayal of the government is a telling one, and fair, I think: they look all dark and ominous breaking surveillance laws, but they're the only ones with half an idea of how to treat an ailing alien, and sprinkled amidst the uniforms is no small number of kind and well meaning types (Peter Coyote, symbols). Of course the high point of the film is an outbreak of teenage anarchy, but it's predictable enough that such outbursts are going to somehow lead Steve back into a sea of schmaltz. I admit confusion as to why anyone would put this on an all-time greatest films list, but it also makes me sad to think that there are humans so cynical that they can't enjoy it at all.
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