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| A life captured on film rolls by over the head of Sam Fabelman walking on the Paramount studio backlot on this neat poster for Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans |
Sam Fabelman grows up in post WWII America with 3 sisters and two doting parents, who mostly encourage his passion, which from an early age becomes the art of filmmaking.
The Fabelmans is written by Tony Kushner (Lincoln (2012)) and Ohioan master filmmaker, co-writer/co-producer/director Steven Spielberg (The Sugarland Express (1974)), whose 33rd feature it is. It is an autobiographical account of Spielberg's own childhood with the names altered.
Probably the most seen and most known modern filmmaker, - the man behind Jaws (1975), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Jurassic Park (1993), Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Post (2017) and several more cinematic knock-outs, - here opens the doors for us to come to know him on a more personal level through seeing the story of his childhood and family. Our parents shape us more than probably any other people in the world, and this influence certainly makes sense in Spielberg's case; an over-emotional mother and a nerdy-technical, grounded father, both of whom were caring and supportive of their son: Spielberg's films are precisely characterized by equal measures intense emotion - and technical brilliance and entrepreneurship.
Spielberg affords his largely happy and sweet memories of growing up epic playtime length here, and perhaps it is the lack of utter heartbreak and really serious obstacles that make it feel a bit cushy. Who wouldn't have liked to have this kind of upbringing? Sam Fabelman is also a sweet and uncomplicated teenager. He doesn't act out, fail a lot or get nervous or weird. Gabriel LaBelle (The Predator (2018)) is adorable in the part, perhaps too adorable, and certainly his very noticeable colored contact lenses are an irritating ('reptile eyes') distraction. Michelle Williams (Wonderstruck (2017)) and Paul Dano (Looper (2012)) are on-point as the good parents, while Judd Hirsch (Uncut Gems (2019)) and David Lynch (Lucky (2017)) give memorable supporting performances.
Of course the film is well-made, told with nostalgia and emotion as it is. Spielberg's arrival as a filmmaker is interesting to see for anyone with a heart for the movies. There's wise words behind every corner, as Sam receives golden nuggets from mother, father, uncle, John Ford and others. The lessons and polished nature of the film is a clear lacquer that rests over The Fabelmans. It is astute and comes from a master filmmaker and a great guy (with a great family.) But many of his other films are simply put much more interesting and riveting.
Related posts:
Steven Spielberg: 2017 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
The Post (2017) - Spielberg returns to mastery with a thrilling salute to the virtues of real, critical, brave journalism
2012 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED V]
Lincoln (2012) - Spielberg's inspiring presidential portrait stands tall
War Horse (2011) - Spielberg visits WWI with problematic horse drama
The
Adventures of Tintin/The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the
Unicorn (2011) - Affinities for Tintin, earlier Spielberg and film will
decide your experience of this 3D mo-cap adventure
Super 8 (2011) - Abrams' nostalgic family crowdpleaser (producer)
The 2000s in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess
2005 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
2005 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess
2001 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess
Band of Brothers - TV mini-series (2001) - WWII-sacrifice and -comradeship portrayed with skill and integrity (producer)
Top 10: Best future-set movies
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - A robot fairy tale with both heart and mind
Amistad (1997) or, Must... Free... Slaves!
Empire of the Sun (1987) - Spielberg's grand production of boy-in-China-during-WWII is a misfire
The Goonies (1985) - Sweet child performances drive Donner's beloved, uneven adventure (story)
Twilight Zone The Movie (1983) - Fear takes many forms in tragedy-struck anthology
Top 10: Best family movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - Spielberg's greatest accomplishment
1941 (1979) - Spielberg's bizarre 'comedy spectacular' sinks like a rock
Top 10: Best car chases in movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Duel (1971) - Spielberg's truck terror is ideal afternoon fare
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: 40 mil. $
Box office: 42.2 mil. $ and counting
= Huge flop (returned 1.05 times its cost)
[The Fabelmans premiered 10 September (Toronto International Film Festival) and runs 151 minutes. As far back as 1999 Spielberg was thinking about making the film. His sister Anne Spielberg's script I'll Be Home was a basis for the project. Only when their parents passed away in 2017 and 2020 did serious development begin. Shooting took place from July - September 2021 in Arizona and California. The film opened #16 to a 161k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #7 and in 1,962 theaters (different weeks), grossing 17.3 mil. $ (41 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were France with 6 mil. $ (14.2 %) and the UK with 4.2 mil. $ (10 %). The film was nominated for 7 Oscars, winning none. It lost Best Picture to Everything Everywhere All at Once, Actress (Williams) to Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Supporting Actor (Hirsch) to Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Director to Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Original Screenplay to Kwan & Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once again, Production Design to All Quiet on the Western Front and Score (John Williams) to Volker Bertelmann for All Quiet on the Western Front. The film was also nominated for a BAFTA, won an AFI award, 2/5 Golden Globe nominations and 3 National Board of Review awards, among many other honors. Spielberg is set to return with an untitled Frank Bullitt project. LaBelle returned in American Gigolo (2022, TV-series) and theatrically in The Snack Shack; Williams in Fever; and Dano in Pantheon (2022, TV-series) and theatrically in Spaceman (2023). The Fabelmans is certified fresh at 92 % with an 8.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of The Fabelmans?
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