MAC AND ME

US, 1988, 95 minutes, Colour.
Christine Ebersole, Jonathan Ward.
Directed by Stewart Raffill.

Mac and Me is clearly derivative of E.T., using much of the plot but at a level for young family audiences. It was written by Stewart Raffill, director of many family films in the '70s with The Wilderness Family, Shipwreck, etc. (Raffill also directed The Philadelphia Experiment and Ice Pirates). A pleasant film for family audiences.

1. The influence of E.T., a variation on the theme?

2. California, the suburbs, scientists and technology?

3. The opening, life on the moon, the creatures, the moon rocket, going to Earth? The reaction of the scientists? The escape of the creatures?

4. The creatures and their appearance, their intelligence? Life on the moon and their memories? Mac and his escape, the van, the crash, drinking the Coca-Cola?, travelling?

5. The new home, mother and concern with her sons? Michael and his help? Erie and his personality, confined to the wheelchair? Reaction to the house, settling in and unpacking? Mac and his effect on batteries and electric goods? Transforming the house and Mother's despair, his repairing things?

6. Debbie and her Californian style, watching? Courtney and her attractiveness? The friendship between the boys and the girls? Debbie and the creature? Erie and his falling over the cliff, Mac rescuing him? The reaction of the doctor? The children believing, wanting to rescue the parents?

7. Their chasing the wheelchair, the van? The sketch of Mother, at work, at the supermarket, saving Eric? anxieties?