I just recently re-watched this film for the first time in quite a while. I was watching it with a friend who had never seen it before and he pointed out something that I had never noticed. Other than the mother, we see no adult faces at all whatsoever in the movie until towards the end. I know Spielberg doesn't do anything without meaning or purpose. What do you suppose is the reason for this?
shareHe wanted the film to be seen through the eyes of the children. If that makes any sense. Also, if you notice, most of the camera angles are a bit lower, which only emphasizes this.
"A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference." Eeyore
It's rather like how in the Peanuts cartoons, you never hear the adult voices, just a muffled sound whenever they talk.
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House. My room. Cant walk. My medal. My father. Father, dont!
It's kind of like Muppet Babies with exceptions.
shareThe story is told from a child's POV because that's what the story is ABOUT. It's a Peter Pan tale (they even have the mother reading Peter Pan to Gertie in it). Eliot is at a point in life where he's in danger of losing his childhood innocence in order to become 'adult'. What this story is about is kids who are exposed to this creature rejecting the evils associated with adulthood (like cynicism and violence) and retaining their childhood sense of wonder and innocence. Eliot 'comes of age', and when ET 'dies' all the adults finally shed their masks, and he sees them as flawed, vulnerable people. From that point on adults other than his mother are shown in full.
As a side note, by keeping Coyote et al. as shadowy figures it enhances the sense of danger that they represent. They're strangers with unclear motives. They seem menacing, which enhances the atmosphere of the film.
Great answer. Thanks.
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