DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg
PRODUCERS: Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner & Kristie Macosko-Krieger
WRITERS: Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
PERFORMERS: Paul Dano Michelle Williams Seth Rogan Gabriel LaBelle and Judd Hirsch
Steven Spielberg has always been known for giving the world films of imagination, wonder and other-worldly characters. From Duel to West Side Story, he's done it all and gave it all. Now in his latest of films, he brings us something we've never seen before: a glimpse into his life from childhood to manhood; and what better way to depict that odyssey than through a fictionalized story? That's the basis of The Fabelmans.
Centered around a blue collared family, The Fabelmans revolves around a family's growth and (ultimately) their separation as a family and as individuals. The most interesting is the main character named Sam Fabelman (played by two different actors as a boy and a teen) and his growing interest in making pictures. As his love for films grow, so does his drive for capturing every moment while in them. Perhaps 'The Greatest Show on Earth' did have a lasting impression on Spielberg after all, considering this story is about him. Between the two Sam actors, Gabriel LaBelle really stood out. His conviction, his drive to succeed and youthfulness really embodied the essence of what young people do in the early days of filmmaking. Then there's Paul Dano and Michelle Williams (who play his parents), they were just as good too. Williams has come a long way since her days on Dawson's Creek & The Greatest Showman. She has proven she can be dramatic and just wonderful to look at. When she's dancing around, you completely forget her son is filming her, and yet she just doesn't care. Dano, what's to be said about him? Besides the fact that he can make you believe he's a guy who's trying to make the best living possible for his family while supporting his son's dreams.
For Spielberg to tackle on something like this is a huge risk. After all, it's about him and his life growing up. Some moments in the film will either surprise you or shock you. On the other hand, there's no such thing as perfect families. Despite the revelations, possible adultery and even heavy moments (EXODUS 20:17); all things considered this actually turned out to be as well as it could be. Many of us have always wanted to know how the man came to be one of the world's most legendary filmmakers ever, this is a portrayal of that account. Perhaps the powerful thing about film is that it has the power to immerse you into another world and you never want to leave that world. But when the show ends, it's back to reality and sometimes, it isn't always pretty. This depicts the difference between living in the real world and living in the film world. As Sam is making his films, he's capturing every moment of the action and giving the world things that will last forever. Like someone once said: "Pain is temporary, film is forever".
The only flaw there was in this film was the coming and goings of certain characters, like Judd Hirsch's character. Since he's such a great actor, one would expect him to be a supporting presence, but it didn't happen that. He's in and then he's out without expectation. Same with almost everybody else and that didn't seem to help matters much. Although Dano and Williams were the real veterans here, they were the ones who kept the story more parental while LaBelle made it worth interesting. Maybe it was the story or just the amount of screen time allowed for certain performers in certain moments at certain times. Slow at times, then picks up in order to maintain the audience's interest. The lesser the cons, the bigger the pros.
Spielberg has tapped into something that he isn't regularly known for but has done before and was usually met with no triumph. This is an improvement of the few things he's done in the last few decades or so. Ready Player One was his comeback in the Sci-Fi genre, but this is his latest emergence in the dramatic field, particularly semi-biography which is a first for him as well. Maybe drama might not be his regular thing, but here he does an excellent job bringing his story to life and showing he can still do more than what he's known for or even expected of him. Don't know about awards season when it comes to nominations, but if anyone is to win an award for this film it's Williams! All in all, worth the watch, see it or rent it (if you feel compelled to do so).
MY RATING: 4.1 out of 5