E.T.- The Extra-Terrestrial

SmokeScreeners review: 

Year of Release:  1982

MPAA Rating:  PG

Director:  Steven Spielberg

Distrubutor:  Universal Studios

Film reviewed by Dr. Barry Hummel on 1/29/2008.

Dr. Hummel posted the following comments:

"Let's take a look at two scenes that occur early in the 1982 film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.  The two scenes have little to do with the focus of the movie, but seem to exist to explore the relationship between Elliott (Henry Thomas), and his older brother, Michael (Robert MacNaughton). 

First, watch this scene:

[youtube:PHRmh03hyBQ]

Here we see five teenage boys playing a game.  Clouds of smoke are seen rising from the table, though we do not actually see any of the boys smoking.  We also see boys drinking from cans; it is impossible to tell whether they are drinking soda or beer.  The only other person in the room is Elliott.  You can see that he wants to be a part of the group; of course, the older boys are dangling his participation in the game like a carrot on a stick.  But think about it: this young boy wants to be part of this group of older boys, and he appears to be willing to do anything for that privilege.  Might that include smoking or drinking?

You will also notice that there is no adult supervision while all of this is taking place.  That changes in this follow-up scene: 

[youtube:mG5FbpXWdCE]

Now we see the mother (Dee Wallace) in the room.  Notice that the smoke has disappeared.  Clearly the older boys knew they were doing something that Mom would NOT be happy about.  If you think that is reading too much into it, notice the two cans of air freshener on the table.  Why else would the cans be there except to mask the odor of the tobacco or marijuana before Mom entered the room?

Scenes like these are subtle, but they underscore the use of tobacco by teenagers as a defiant act.  The message is that it is okay to use tobacco, even if your parents do NOt approve... just cover your tracks.  The sad part, is that scenes like this also deliver the message that you have to smoke (or drink) to hang out with 'the big boys'."