Her role as Gertie won her a Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and not only thrust her into the public spotlight, but threw her into the adult Hollywood lifestyle of booze, partying and drugs.
Written by Melissa Mathison, the story takes place in 'middle America', mainly in the home of a divorced woman and her kids Eliot (Henry Thomas), Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and Gertie (Drew Barrymore).
Gertie, Elliot's sister and Elliot's friends are soon in on the plot to thwart the authorities and assist the little visitor in returning home.