Tools of Characterization
Characterization in E.T.
Type of Being
You're probably going to want to sit down for this one. Are you sitting? Okay, good. Now take a deep breath. Here it goes: The fact that E.T. is an extra-terrestrial is significant to the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. We know, we know: You're shocked!
E.T. being an alien is what makes the movie a movie. It is the story. If the movie were about some kid named Todd who moved to Elliott's town from, let's say, Denver and befriended Elliott, the movie just wouldn't be the same. (For starters, it would be called Todd the Kid Who Moved Here from Denver.)
We'd lose all of the tension we get from Keys and his federal agents because they'd have no interest in Todd the Kid Who Moved Here from Denver. (No offense, Todd.) They're interested in E.T. precisely because he's an alien, and they're threatened by him because, as an alien, he's different. The fact that E.T. is an extra-terrestrial very bluntly distinguishes him as "other" and propels the movie's narrative. It also bonds him with Elliott; even though Elliott's a human being, he feels alienated, too.
Physical Appearances
For all we know, E.T. is the Tyson Beckford of his home planet. In early '80s California, however, E.T. isn't exactly a looker. He has a big, wide head; a Slinky neck; a squat, little body with hunched shoulders; and he moves like a drunken penguin. Oh, and Gertie doesn't like his feet.
E.T.'s repeatedly prejudged because of his physical appearance. Children, like Gertie and even Elliott, are frightened by him initially. Adults, like Mom and Keys, view him as a threat to their safety simply because he looks different.
The thing is, once people get to know E.T., they can't help but love him (like Elliott and Gertie) or at least care a great deal about him (like Michael, Mom, and even Keys). The gap between E.T.'s physical appearance and his personality proves that appearances aren't always what they seem, and we all have more in common than we think.
Keys and his task force are also characterized by their physical appearances. For the majority of the movie, we only see them from roughly their elbows down. (Ditto for Elliott's science teacher.) This makes them appear threatening and imposing. What about when we finally get a glimpse of Keys and his task force in full, from head to toe? They're decked out in creepy hazmat suits. Yep, still imposing! Aside from Mary, all of the adults in the film are portrayed in the same remote yet menacing way, thereby presenting the kids' and E.T.'s perspectives.
Family Life
Hey, has anybody seen Dad lately? What's that? He's in Mexico with Sally? We heard he doesn't even like Mexico!
In the beginning of the movie, in the wake of Dad's departure, Elliott's family is characterized by its fractured state. Tensions are a little high, and Mom's understandably upset—two things that are totally evident during the dinner scene when Elliott tries to convince everybody that there's something hiding in the backyard.
The kids argue about what's in the yard and whose turn it is to do the dishes; when Dad's mentioned, Mom gets teary and excuses herself. Later, we learn that Gertie likes to call her mother by her first name, Mary. Not exactly a sign of harmony.
And Mary's working so hard to keep things running smoothly that she doesn't even notice E.T. when he's openly strutting his stuff around her living room after Gertie teaches him to talk. In short, Elliott's family has kind of lost its mojo; when the film starts they're not the most unified group. Cue the extra-terrestrial! When E.T. shows up, he shifts the family dynamic, ultimately bringing everybody closer together—especially Elliott and his siblings, as they work together to keep E.T. a secret from their mom.
Each member of the family is characterized by their position within the family, too. Mom's the principal protector and the provider, even if her general inattentiveness means she's not great at either. (We're not hating on Mary; we know she's trying.)
With his dad AWOL, Michael's now the man of the house. When Elliott brings up the sore subject of her husband to Mom, Michael chastises him like a parent; when Elliott needs Michael's help, he offers it. Gertie's the baby and spends most of the story riding shotgun with Mom or her big brothers. And then there's Elliott. He's a pretty textbook middle child. Nobody pays much attention to him and he's searching for a place to belong. In other words, he's a primo candidate for an extra-terrestrial best friend.