Few commercial films succeed at mining box-office gold while deeply touching the hearts of viewers, young and old. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is one such motion picture. Directed by Steven Spielberg (1947–), E.T. spotlights the evolving relationship between a space alien and a bright, sensitive middle-class suburban ten-year-old named Elliott.

At the outset, a spaceship lands in the woods nearby Elliott's home. After being scared off by the presence of humans, who from the aliens' point of view are menacing, the aliens return to their craft and head back into space. However, one of them accidentally is left behind. The terrified creature, who comes to be known as E.T., is befriended by Elliott. The two communicate by instinct, and Elliott soon becomes painfully aware that his little pal is homesick and wishes to return to his own planet.

Within the realm...