In post-World War II Arizona, we follow Sammy Fabelman. Seeing his first film on the big screen births a desire in him to be creative and make movies. As time passes, Sammy’s passion becomes more prominent, and he is soon making films with his friends and investing money into a splicing kit, blank film, and other equipment.
When it comes to Sammy’s life at home, things are complex. His father, Burt (Paul Dano), feels Sammy’s interests are nothing but a hobby, claiming his son is just wasting his time and money and would be better off focusing on gaining a better education. Sammy’s mother, Mitzi (Michelle Williams), is more supportive of her son’s interests and becomes both fascinated and impressed by his creative eye behind the camera. However, during a family holiday, Sammy accidentally captures a heartbreaking family secret on camera, putting him in a challenging situation. Over time, tension rises among the family, and Sammy deals with various struggles, including being unsure of how to respond based on his newfound knowledge.
For those who are unaware, The Fablemans is based on the childhood and upbringing of the famous director, producer and writer Steven Spielberg. The film gives audiences a raw dramatic look at some of his personal experiences through touching reflections. Some of these experiences include when Spielberg first went to the movies, when he got his first video camera, romances, dealing with bullying, making various films and most importantly, the family dramas that occurred during his life which impacted him greatly.
The Fabelmans was directed and written by Steven Spielberg, and who better to tell the story of his upbringing than the man himself? I’ll admit I knew nothing about Steven Spielberg’s life and upbringing as a young man. Instantly I found myself fascinated and curious to discover how the famous man we all know in cinema came to be who he is today. The film carries plenty of heart and loads of emotion, but The Fablemans has two key ingredients, the first of which is movie magic. A great example is when we witness Sammy discovering films in a cinema for the first time as a young boy. I found it impossible not to smile through this scene. Everything Sammy discovers and learns about films is heart-warming and joyful to witness. The second key ingredient in this film is drama. The drama here is heavy and sad, so I carried various emotions while viewing it. I went back and forth between joy and feeling heavy-hearted and compassionate for Sammy’s life journey.
Pacing for the vast majority is great, but I can’t deny that some aspects overstayed their welcome. While I understand the importance of these scenes, certain parts dragged on, such as the bullying that Sammy receives at school and his relationship with a girl who is highly obsessed with religion. I felt both areas could have been trimmed down slightly, giving viewers a snappier pace. Aspects relating to Sammy’s home life and his discovery of his passion for filmmaking are the most entertaining and engaging for audiences to admire. Visually, this film is wonderful and many moments reminded me of some of Spielberg’s past films. The musical score is perfect thanks to composer John Williams who successfully creates gripping and beautiful moments to match the great-looking movie.
The performances are breathtaking. Many film critics have claimed that this is the best we’ve seen from actress Michelle Williams, and I would have to agree. As Sammy’s strict and stern father, Paul Dano is also impressive, as is the supporting role from actor Judd Hirsch. Lastly, the leading performance from Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy Fabelman is excellent. I felt he wonderfully displayed a massive range of dramatic emotions.
Overall, this is an emotional ride as we witness the upbringing of the famous director, producer, and writer Stephen Spielberg. I found myself grinning with joy and feeling sad for the vast majority, and it’s hard not to be curious and fascinated by the true story that the film presents. Performances from all the leads are stunning, touching, and impressive. Visually, this film is adorable and creative, and the score by composer John Williams is impacting. Sadly, some themes do overstay their welcome, and if minor edits were made here and there, the pacing could have been a bit tighter. Nevertheless, it’s an incredible film, and I admire Steven Spielberg for sharing his heart and past experiences with the entire world of cinema. The Fabelmans (2022) is Available in Australian Cinemas from January 5th!
9.1/10
29th December 2022
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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Our opinion on this feature has also been submitted to Rotton Tomatoes (Audiences Score*).
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