Key Takeaways:
– Steven Spielberg endured sleepless nights while making the timeless classic E.T.
– He initially struggled to define the theme of this cult film.
– His first feature film, The Sugarland Express, required the backing of a big Hollywood star to get made.
– Goldie Hawn’s involvement in The Sugarland Express proved crucial to its creation.
– Spielberg’s creative diversity and cinematic mastery are celebrated in the film industry.
Steven Spielberg’s Struggle with E.T.
Steven Spielberg, universally recognized as one of Hollywood’s iconic directors, has an impressive variety in his portfolio of work. His creativity spans various genres and has given us great films like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Revered worldwide, E.T., the story of an alien developing a friendship with a young boy, touched hearts globally.
Spielberg’s multi-layered narrative beautifully knitted emotions with science fiction. The film’s depth went beyond surface level, artfully revealing heartfelt stories of relationships, divorce, and their effects on children. However, depicting this array of intertwining themes wasn’t straightforward.
The maestro candidly revealed in a Rolling Stone interview with David Breskin that the process brought about sleepless nights and self-doubt. Spielberg’s struggle was constant, bouncing between creating a personal statement on repercussions of divorce on children or a Saturday-morning children’s show. The pressure was evident, but the final product was a blend of everything he wanted the film to express. Decades later, E.T. continues to captivate audiences around the world, attesting to Spielberg’s resilience and creativity.
Debut Success with The Sugarland Express
On the journey towards achieving his iconic status, Spielberg took his first stride with his 1974 debut feature film, The Sugarland Express. It’s a thrilling representation of a couple, portrayed by Goldie Hawn and William Atherton, ensnared in a dangerous car chase to reclaim their child from foster care.
Despite positive critical reception, the thriller performed modestly at the box office. This underperformance led Universal Pictures to withdraw the film from theaters within two weeks. Spielberg marked the film’s 50th anniversary with a special screening at the Tribeca Festival, reminding audiences of this underappreciated gem.
During the corresponding celebrations, Spielberg revealed to Variety that Universal Pictures had one major condition for the film’s production: it must be led by an established Hollywood star. Enter Goldie Hawn, a then sought-after celebrity, who fit Spielberg’s vision for Lou Jean Poplin, the film’s protagonist.
The director candidly admitted that the film wouldn’t have been made without Hawn. His gratitude was evident as he expressed how her simplistic heart’s aspect was reminiscent of Poplin’s character. Hawn reciprocated this sentiment with a warm video message at the festival, expressing gratitude to Spielberg for kick-starting her Hollywood journey with this film.
Conclusion
Both unforgettable classics, E.T. and The Sugarland Express, highlight Spielberg’s journey as a filmmaker. His honest struggles and victories have shaped the way we perceive cinema today. As Spielberg’s creative journey continues, his stories serve as a source of inspiration for generations of filmmakers and audiences alike. It’s clear Spielberg’s influence on Hollywood is astounding and his legacy will continue to inspire the film industry. These two films are available to be rented on Amazon Prime for the viewers who want to delve into the genius that is Steven Spielberg.
