How 'E.T.' Helped Shape My Love of Movies

"E.T." was the first movie I watched that truly shaped my love for movies. This film set the standard for what I looked for in all future movies. Before watching "E.T.," there were films I liked, but none that really captured my attention. I occasionally watched movies, but it wasn't something that I did on a regular basis. Who knew an alien would make me fall in love with movies. Every time I watch "E.T.," I still feel the same emotional tug at my heart, as if I was watching it for the first time.

Friendship With an Alien

When you first see the alien, you would think that its looks would frighten most. Almost instantly this awkward looking alien becomes irresistible. When this alien is left behind, Elliot finds him, brings him home, and names him E.T. From this point on a friendship develops that teaches all of us about unconditional love. This movie took me back to childhood innocence when times were simple. It was the innocence of the characters and the unconditional bond they developed that had me mesmerized as I watched this movie. I especially loved the part when E.T. began to learn English by repeating words.

Escapades that Left Me Laughing

As the movie progressed I absolutely fell in love with the E.T. character. I love when Elliot skipped school to play with E.T. One of the funniest scences is when E.T. got into the liquor, and Elliot felt a little tipsy at school. When Elliot, his brother Mike, and Sister Gertie dressed E.T. in a sheet on Halloween, they told everyone that it was Gertie. This scene brought back memories from my childhood, and the mischievous things we all do as kid. I didn't think a film could make me smile or laugh so much.

True Friendship and Love

The part that tugged at my heart the most is when E.T. and Elliot become sick because they are now so connected. At this point, E.T. is so human and lovable that you almost forgot he was alien. When they think E.T. is dead, they allow Elliot to sit alone by his bedside. I have never cried so much. It brought back memories of when I lost my grandmother. The first real lost you experience as a child is so devastating. Just at that moment when I felt such heartache, the flower that was dead returns to life, and the tears of sadness turned to tears of joy. The kids hide E.T. until they can get him home. At the end E.T. hugs Elliot, his finger lights up, and he points to Elliot's heart. E.T. rides off into the sky. At this point, I am still crying from all the range of emotions I felt so deeply when watching "E.T." My childhood memories, both good and bad, all came back.

Lessons I Learned

"E.T." was the first movie I watched that shaped my love for movies. It didn't feel like I was watching a movie, but instead I was watching a once-in-a-lifetime friendship that most hope to find. It was a movie that fulfilled all my senses, and one that I will continually watch over and over again.