Steven Spielberg tells the story of his youth in a heartfelt memoir about cherished family, an early love of filmmaking, and facing cruel antisemitism. The Fabelmans shines a spotlight on the iconic auteur’s strong upbringing. His electrical engineer father and concert pianist mother fully supported creative endeavors. They grew a fascination with movies that blossomed to obvious talent. But the veneer of true happiness loses its luster with a startling teenage realization. Those dearest to him have secrets that endanger assumed stability. Spielberg’s coming-of-age drama honestly depicts the struggle to find yourself when the world crashes down.
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In fifties suburban New Jersey, young Sammy Fabelman (Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord) is dazzled by seeing The Greatest Show on Earth. His radiant mother, Mitzi (Michelle Williams), serves meals on paper plates with plastic utensils. She doesn’t do dishes to save her pianist hands. Burt (Paul Dano), Sammy’s genius father, makes extra money fixing broken televisions. Along with his three younger sisters, the Fabelmans are a picture of content. They celebrate their Orthodox Jewish faith during the holidays with Bennie (Seth Rogen), his father’s best friend and co-worker.
Burt gets a lucrative job offer to move the family to Phoenix, Arizona. Mitzi implores her husband to not leave Bennie behind. He’s become a treasured uncle to the children. In Phoenix, Sammy’s (Gabriel LaBelle) skill with the family’s 16mm camera takes a dramatic leap. He wows his family and neighbors with amazing short films. Burt and Mitzi are proud of his proficiency. Bennie gives him money to purchase a real camera. Sammy starts documenting everything. He notices that a divide exists between his parents.
Burt’s career takes the family to Northern California. This time he couldn’t find a place for Bennie. The change does not sit well with Sammy and Mitzi. He’s beaten up at school for being Jewish. Daily bullying and taunts become unbearable. Film is his only escape. Mitzi plunges into a dark depression. Burt’s confounded by this turn of events. He doesn’t know how to keep his wife happy, and takes issue with Sammy’s movies obsession. His son needs to focus on finding a legitimate career.
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The Beginning of The Fabelmans
The Fabelmans begins with the seemingly limitless promise of childhood. Sammy, his sisters, father, and Bennie bask in Mitzi’s glowing personality. She’s beautiful, an incredible musician, and exudes an aura that lifts everything around her. Mitzi is the sun lighting every path forward. The older Sammy learns this isn’t always true. His parents love each other but are very different people. As their children age, the chasm between them grows wider. Burt loves Mitzi unconditionally. She supported his career by being a good mother and wife, but has needs that he unfortunately cannot meet.
Williams will be in contention for every leading actress award. She’s magnificent portraying a layered, sophisticated woman. One of the film’s best scenes has Mitzi dancing playfully around a campfire. She bubbles with an infectious energy that raises spirits. Her sadness hits everyone like a freight train. The family’s anchor becomes unmoored. Sammy sadly understands that his mother’s place may belong elsewhere. This is a crushing blow to a teenager who always expected her to be there.
Narrative Flow in The Fabelmans
Universal Pictures
The Fabelmans has lulls in pacing that hinder the narrative’s flow. Spielberg spends an inordinate amount of time on religious gatherings. This is meant to show the importance of his Jewish faith. And the hurt he experienced when his spiritual bedrock comes under attack. This could have been accomplished with a leaner edit.
Spielberg never resorts to woeful self-pity or tries to curry favor from the audience. He was a rich kid from a great family that always believed in him. They were pillars of love that enabled his journey to legendary filmmaker status. The Fabelmans shows the importance of a caring environment for children. Their roots can reach the stratosphere when properly nurtured.
The Fabelmans is a production of Amblin Entertainment and Reliance Entertainment. It will have a limited theatrical release on November 11th. Followed by nationwide distribution on November 23rd from Universal Pictures.
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