Question

Why do Elliott and his siblings understand E.T. in a way the adults in E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial can't?

Answer 1

On one side you have reality, involving Elliott’s real world problems in his life. Elliott has these certain voids in his life, all of which are filled with the presence of E.T, who is involved with the other side. On the other side, there is the supernatural, which has everything to do with the aliens’ involvement in the real world. While, in the film, the two have an actual link between them that has to do with a psychological connection, they are also the link between the two sides to this film. E.T. is connected to reality; he requires normal skills and an understanding of this reality in order to achieve his goal.