Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical look at his early childhood through high school in The Fabelmans is one of the year’s best films. The Fabelmans is a deeply felt, personal journey that shines brightest when Sammy has a camera and only falters slightly when the film expands the depth of field.
Sammy’s fascination starts at an early age when he views The Greatest Show on Earth in New Jersey. He was frightened and enamored by the trail-derailing scene. Sammy’s determination to recreate the scene and capture the sequence using miniatures in his home leads to a lifelong obsession with capturing the impossible on film. The Fabelmans follows Sammy’s journey from New Jersey, Arizona and finally Northern California in Sammy’s high school years.
Mitzi Fabelman craves a spotlight that’s no longer fixed on her. A former concert pianist she is the first to recognize and embrace her son, Sammy’s, passion for film. Michelle Williams is unsurprisingly terrific as Mitzi. A character who can be equal parts infuriating and magnetic. While she loves Burt, her husband and Sammy’s father, her heart is torn between the love she has for the more droll Bennie played by Seth Rogen and her family. She can’t put her love of family above being around Benny, even the notion of being apart from Benny drives Mitzi towards depression.
The Toll of Genius in The Fabelmans
Williams is wonderful, but it’s Paul Dano‘s subtle, powerful performance as Burt that should warrant the veteran character actor an Oscar nomination. Burt is a good husband and father who happens to be an engineering genius. Burt’s adherence to logic sometimes butts heads with lofty dreams of Sammy. However, Burt’s love for his son is never in doubt. He views his son’s filmmaking as a hobby but is enamored by the technical aspects.
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Gabriel LaBelle also does an excellent job as Sammy. A kid with a big dream forced to grapple with growing up, his family falling apart and the burden that comes with being a creative genius. As his Uncle Boris played by Judd Hirsch points out, Sammy’s always going to have to choose between creating his art or his family.
Unfortunately, Sammy’s three sisters get lost in the shuffle in The Fabelmans. The final act set in a Northern California high school features antisemitism and comical first loves plots that are well done but pale in comparison to the strong family drama and Sammy’s filmmaking endeavors. Thankfully, the last 10 minutes are phenomenal with Burt supporting his sons dream fully at the expense of a college education. Dano’s performance as he looks down at a photo absolutely broke me.
The collaboration between Spielberg and John Williams shines once again. Tony Kushner and Spielberg’s story at its core is about geniuses and how their world-changing ideas impact those around them. For some, being around a genius is a form of inspiration. For others, genius can feel like an inescapable, ever-present shadow. It’s the battle between a budding visionary and his family responsibilities where The Fabelmans shines brightest.
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The Review
The Fabelmans
PROS
- Terrific performances by Paul Dano and Michelle Williams create a complex marriage.
- The concept of genius and how it impacts those around them is wonderful.
- Judd Hirsch makes quite the impression.
- The John Williams-Steven Spielberg dynamic is terrific as always.
- Every scene featuring Sammy directing a film is magical.
CONS
- The 3rd act set in Northern California features familiar coming of age plots that pale in comparison to the family drama.
- The sisters get lost in the shuffle at times.
