Corrected entry: When Elliot and his brother are searching in the garage for items to help ET create his "phone", the garage door is obviously closed, and they are using flashlights to see what they are looking around for. However, right outside, the government agents are spying on an open garage that has all the lights on. They go back and forth to the kids (dark garage) and agents (open, lit up garage) a few times.
manthabeat
8th Apr 2002
Correction: The van is in front of the house where Elliot lives. This is still a mistake, however I don't believe the garage is "closed", rather the lights are off in the shots inside. This explains why they need the flashlights as the original post said. I still believe this is a continuity error. The garage at Elliot's house is brightly lit when we see exterior shots of it at night. Also, regarding arousing suspicions, moments later the agents are full on parked across the street from Elliot's house. They come out of the car when Mary leaves. I doubt the government van was worried about suspicions.
manthabeat ★