ET - 29 years on

For years I have harboured a particular liking for films, especially those that tell stories out of the ordinary. One such is the blockbuster "ET", directed by Steven-You-Know-Who. I resented the film when it was originally released in 1982 - partially for reasons that I can no longer recall.

But I suspect that this resentment to some extent must have stemmed from my then supersensitive religious conscience; this fire and brimstone inner voice that forbade me from acquainting myself with possible occult-oriented speculation about extre-terrestrial life forms.

Yes, there were - and perhaps still are - people of variuous persuasions - that debunked "ET" simply because of its massive appeal. The general filmloving public were crazy about the tiny, odd-looking extre-terrestrial, and some who think films were inherently bad anyway, concluded that anything that drew your attention away from Jesus must be avoided at all costs. I was one of them. Without even having seen it, I lashed out against Mr. Speilberg's dreamscape solely because it must be a complete waste of time. It didn't proclaim the gospel, right?

THE GOSPEL OF ET?

No, there is no gospel proclamation in "ET", but it is a moving film about e.g. deep hurts and the resilient longing for healing to come from somewhere, or something, out 'there'. Despite it's sci-fi motif, it's not really a sci-fi film at all, and - equally - despite the presence of otherwordly beings, there's not a milligramme of occult influence in it, either.

Watching the film today, 29 years on, I am struck by Mr. Spielberg's idiosyncratic vision of alien life forms. Far from the nasty, bloodthirsty, appallingly sinister monsters of 1950s B-movies, the central character of "ET" is an innocent-looking, benign, and peace-loving horticulturist with several exceptional qualities. Among many mysterious faculties, this alien e.g. can instantly heal physical wounds. And this much-coveted ability certainly comes in handy at various points in the narrative.

But "ET" also brings a certain level of emotional healing to a family struggling with the aftereffects of a massive emotional trauma; the recent collapse of a marriage, and the subsequent loss of a husband and father. Into this family unit in dire inner straits, a funny, but far from stupid figure of unkown origin stumbles unintentionally, and over a short period of time, his presence provides not only a much-wanted distraction. Deciphering quickly that ET has been stranded, phsysically and metophorically, in his own state of estrangement and loss, the family members and the alien develop a kind of symbiotic relationship that paves way for some kind of inner healing.

ET - THE HEALER

They are both, the family group and the alien, essential to eachother's eventual recovery. United in pain and purpose -  which is to bring ET into contact with the crew on board the space ship, and then - ultimately - safely back to his planet, both parties find in eachother not only a sympathetic helper in a time of need, but also the closeness and solace that have been woefully absent of late.

And thus, in the character of ET, Mr, Spielberg unites the healer and the saviour. Although they unwillingly succeed in aiding ET back to his ship, this second separation doesn't break the family even further apart, it most likely fuels the process that will some time in the future bring them together: to restoration, to a state of equilibrium they all crave desperately.

"ET" is far from a threat to anyone's spiritual health. It's an excellently made and touching cultural product that probably only mirrors the cry in our communities for healing on many different planes. And if it still has a compelling voice, that voice is probably whispering that YES, there is help to be had out there. But it won't come from ET. It can, if you desire it, come from another legal alien - one whose hands were and are famous for their healing touch on individuals, families, communities and nations.