The Fabelmans
Starring: Gabriel Labelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Rated: PG-13
It’s 1958 and young Sammy Fabelman is taking his first trip to the movie theater to see The Greatest Show On Earth. He’s terrified. What if the movie is too scary? Can he handle it? His science-minded father Burt assures him that films are just moving pictures, there’s nothing to be afraid of. While his artistic mother, Mitzi, comforts Sammy with the notion that, “Movies are dreams that you never forget.” In the dark theater, Sammy is awestruck by the sights, sounds, and sets on that massive cinema screen. He walks away forever changed. The Fablemans is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age film exploring director Steven Spielberg’s childhood as he fell in love with filmmaking. It follows Sammy Fableman as he grows up under the watchful eyes of his parents, computer analyst Burt (Paul Dano) and piano player Mitzi Fabelman (Michelle Williams).
If you love filmmaking or Spielberg movies, this is a must-see. Steven Spielberg’s impact on film is massive, spanning all genres. The Fabelmans offers a look behind the curtain into the world that led to his artistry. Each section of the film showcases a key experience that would have a huge impact on Spielberg’s future as a filmmaker. There’s a message for all artists to be found in The Fabelmans exploring an all-consuming commitment to your passion, even if others don’t think it’s possible.
Spielberg directs this film brilliantly. From the opening scene it’s clear that he’s directing a love letter to the movies and a deeply personal film about his family. Every moment feels like we are watching one of his memories brought to life on the big screen. It feels quite personal and emotional. The sequences involving his parent’s relationship is both fascinating and difficult to watch. This is the story of a teenager who used his art to cope with a crumbling family.
The Fabelman family home is never dull as creativity fills each room with spirited dinners, Mitzi’s piano rehearsals, Burt’s computer repairs, and Sammy’s films. There is a noticable split in the family between the scientists and the artists, a divide that is explored between Burt and Mitzi. Burt is the logical, stable father, while Mitzi is the whimsical, emotionally tumultuous mother who follows passion above all else. The differences between Burt and Mitzi are vast creating riffs in the Fabelman family that may too big to repair. Amidst his father and mother’s differences, Sammy tries to find his own identity through filmmaking.
There’s a recurring theme throughout the film about the quest for control. From his early life, Sammy craves control of his surroundings, so he picks up a camera and attempts to find some semblance of it through his movies. He becomes the director. When his home life gets difficult, Sammy turns to movies as an act of control amidst the chaos. Reality is far too messy when there’s no controlling the outcome, but Sammy can predict the ending to his movies and that’s far preferred.
Sammy is played as a young child by Mateo Zoryan and Gabriel Labelle as a teenager. Mateo Zoryan is wonderful as young Sammy. He captures an innocence and childlike wonder of a boy in awe of the world of film. Gabriel Labelle shines in the lead role as teenage Sammy.. Labelle plays Sammy as a dedicated dreamer. Filmmaking is not his “hobby” but his art form and purpose. He’s hanging on to the last shred of childhood innocence until reality comes crashing in threatening to rip away his dreams. This is a breakout performance that showcases impressive acting talent.
Michelle Williams delivers an emotional rollercoaster of a performance as Mitzi, Sammy’s artistic mother who believes in following passion above all else. She understands Sammy better than anyone as they share a deep love for the arts. But the family never quite knows what’s coming next with Mitzi as she has soaring highs and deep lows. One minute she’s playing a beautiful piano piece and and the next she’s struggling to control her emotional outbursts. It’s heavily implied throughout the film that she struggles with mental illness. The role is a showcase for Williams who pulls off a wide array of emotional depth in the character.
Paul Dano is excellent as Burt, the pillar of stability for the Fabelman family. Dano is quietly subdued compared to Mitzi’s eccentric persona. Even through he’s quiet, he shows an impressive emotional range over the character. He isn’t over-the-top or too showy in his performance, but wonderfully understated. He plays Burt as a loving father who wants the best for his family. Dano and Williams’ performances are completely opposing ends of the spectrum, yet the two command your attention when they share the screen.
The cinematography of The Fabelmans by Janusz Kamiński is fantastic. The early scenes have a magical quality to them as Sammy visits the theater for the first time and shoots his first movies. There’s a nostalgic wonder to it. As the film progresses and Sammy gets more interested in filming, the sunny horizons of Arizona make a wonderful backdrop for his films with friends. The usage of 8MM film is an excellent touch and makes it feel like we’re watching Sammy’s home movies play out.
“Movies are dreams that you never forget.” To Sammy Fabelman, movies are dreams that he uses to escape the chaos. Dreams to control the uncontrollable. Dreams that will one day become a reality. Despite the brokenness around him, he will use his art to make his dream come true. The Fabelmans is one of the year’s best films exploring the wonder of cinema through the lens of one of the world’s most famous filmmakers.
My Rating: 9/10