There’s no denying that Steven Spielberg’s legacy and impact on filmmaking and directing are uniquely unparallel for many reasons. From being the leading figure of the New Hollywood era (1960-1980), the inventor of the modern Blockbuster, and the most commercially successful director of all time, there aren’t many directors out there who can craft, project, and tell the type of story that Spielberg can, which says a lot. Throughout his incredible career, which includes almost 40 films (about 13 of those being some of the best and most influential movies ever made) they have mostly been about certain subject material, remakes, or original IP. The Fabelman’s wasn’t the first time that Spielberg used experiences from his childhood to help craft a story that would engage and challenge audiences (that was done with First Encounters). Unlike that film which deals with visitors from space and how people would react to them, his latest feature would be extremely personal as it would tell the story of some of the most challenging parts of Steven Spielberg’s life.
For many years in various interviews throughout his life, it’s been apparent that Spielberg had a very tough time with his parents mainly due to their divorce. For years Steven resented his father for not having the strength to keep the family together, which ultimately drove Steven deeper and deeper into his hobby of making movies that would be the only stable part of his life. And the movie that eventually became The Fabelmans has been something that Spielberg’s been wanting to make for a while, he has expressed that making this movie was a way to bring his mom and dad back who have both passed away, while also bringing him and his three younger sisters (Annie, Sussie and Nancy) closer together than he ever thought possible, and that was worth everything for him. He chose to call the movie The Fabelman’s so it wouldn’t feel as straightforward and as narcissistic, and more of a semi-autobiographic feel to it.
The film on the outside is a beautiful love letter to the era and upbringing that Spielberg had as you see the films and experiences that made him fall in love with cinema in a way that really resonates with people who love and appreciate film (like me) or the arts in general. Some of the best parts of the movie are young Sammy Fabelman filming, directing, cutting, and physically putting his movies together which you know must have been so emotional for Steven to see while putting this film together. When it came to casting the core family members, Paul Dano & Michelle Williams as Burt and Mitzi Fabelman both bring so much to each of their respective roles.
In casting the two actors Spielberg said “Part of it had to be organic, and it had to be authentic to me. It wasn’t really about anything beyond who I can have the most profound connection with and that reminds me the most of the people that brought me into the world and raised me and gave me good values. And after seeing this you really understand that Steven got so much from both of his parents, but they weren’t ultimately perfect for each other as they were total opposites, but it was the strong connection that Sammy had with his mother that drove him to be the person that he is today. Two other performances also stand out well as Judd Hirsch who plays Sammy’s uncle, Boris, gives one of the most impressive monologues that deeply affects Sammy and does it in a few minutes almost stealing the movie. In addition, Seth Rogen delivers another very good dramatic performance as Benny Lowe who serves as a surrogate Uncle to Sammy and his family that plays a crucial role in the story. Obviously, the actor cast to play Sammy Fabelman aka Steven Spielberg had to be convincing while also carrying the movie in many important moments. And Gabriel LaBelle does that in spades, he did such a great job in expressing just the right level of emotion and composed himself so well, it also helps that he looks like a young Steven Spielberg too.
This movie for me was something that I wasn’t expecting from Spielberg, but it really helped to solidify just how masterful he truly is, it feels like a throwback in many ways as there are a lot of slow shots where even though nothing is happening, there actually is a lot going on, and only Spielberg can do that. Michelle Williams for me was the emotional anchor for this film and she deserves all the credit in the world, her performance as Mitzy was so earnest and heartbreaking that you sympathize so much with why Sammy stuck to his talents and followed his dreams. Besides one of the best cameos I’ve seen in years, there’s a lot that The Fabelmans does incredibly well and there was no one who could tell this story with the precision and artistry that Spielberg has. I believe that everyone should see this, especially if you are a lover of cinema.