The Fabelmans is a movie that I’d been looking forward to seeing for a while, the semi-autobiographical movie centres around Sammy Fabelman who, after seeing The Greatest Show on Earth at the age of 6 and develops a passion for filmmaking.
Steven Spielberg has brought us a very nostalgic journey back to his childhood and a passion for movies and for his mother and father that The Fabelmans is based.
This 2h 31m movie is one that brings us the ups and downs of Sammy’s life from his first movie viewing to him making his own movies, plus his school years as he is bullied for being a Jew in his school, but with a love for the arts, he overcomes the problems that he is facing.
All is not as well as it seems in Sammy’s family as his mother (Michelle Williams) and father (Paul Dano) seem to have a relationship that is made in heaven, but it’s not all as it seems as Mitzi (Williams) isn’t as happy as she first seems.
Throughout the movie, there are some wonderful moments, such as a very young Sammy discovering the wonder of movies. Spielberg has certainly brought us a movie that shows his love for what he does and we even got an introduction from the man himself to say thank you for watching The Fabelmans on the big screen.
This is a movie that if you love films you will probably enjoy, I know I did and I found myself laughing on several occasions and being glued to the scenes of Sammy (Gabriel LaBelle) making his movies with his scout friends and showing them to the group.
I was surprised to see Seth Rogan in the role of Benny Lowrey a serious role that I enjoyed watching as he becomes very much a part of Mitzi and Burt’s family, maybe a bit too much! Also, it was lovely to see Judd Hirsch as Uncle Boris and the advice that he gives Sammy about family and art, very wise words that many of us may feel something for.
As the years go by we see Sammy’s love for filmmaking rise and fall, then rediscovered to take him further into the industry, although we are left at a brief point as a sort of, “and the rest is history” type moment that works so well.
Look out for a brilliant moment with David Lynch as John Ford, it’s a brilliant moment in the movie where Lynch portrays the famous filmmaker wonderfully.
When it comes to a Spielberg movie you’d expect to hear the wonderful work of composer John Williams and The Fabelmans is no expectation, Williams’ soundtrack in the movie is a sheer joy, as always, to listen to and it flows beautifully throughout the movie.
This is a movie that may not be for everyone, but for me, I loved every moment of it, the comedy elements work well, and the cinematography is what you would expect from a Spielberg film, much like the music that I mentioned earlier. If you love movies and especially Spielbergs work then The Fabelmans is certainly a movie that you will want to check out at a cinema near you.
A delightful Semi-autobiographical movie from Steven Spielberg
Movie title: The Fabelmans (2022)
Movie description: Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.
Date published: January 27, 2023
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 31m
Director(s): Steven Spielberg
Actor(s): Michelle Williams, Gabriel LaBelle, Paul Dano,
Genre: Drama
Summary
A movie that shows a passion for the discovery of cinema and filmmaking
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
