The Fabelmans
The Fabelmans (2022)
From E.T to Saving Private Ryan. Jurassic Park to Catch Me If You Can; If you've ever wondered why, amonsgt the eye-popping spectacle central to most of Steven Spielberg's stories, there is a child versus parent conflict, then take a seat for a blissful two and half hours and enjoy this lecture from the most engaging of professors.
Written by Tony Kushner and the maestro himself, The Fabelmans is based on Spielberg's own childhood. In New Jersey in 1952 we witness young Sammy Fabelman's introduction to film on the silver screen with The Greatest Show on Earth. Trying to make sense of an extravagant train crash depicted in the movie unfurls an obsession into storytelling. An outisder from the off - his street is consumed with ostentaious Christmas decorations while his family strictly observe Hanukkah - young Sammy wants to fill the world with light.
Like he did with Drew Barrymore and Christian Bale (to name but two) Spielberg's habit of unearthing new talent continues with the central performances of Gabriel LaBelle and Mateo Zoryan (as his younger counterpart). I'm not sure what trick he uses to give so much life behind the eyes of his young actors but it is electric on screen. As teenage Sammy, LaBelle makes war films in the Arizona deserts, and for anyone else going through a midlife crisis, this will resonate as these scenes alone are worth the entry fee. How much fun did we have as kids simply playing out? That being said, the film doesn't play too heavy on nostalgia, striking the right balance between sentiment and cynicism. It's an account of following one's passion but also of growing up and recognising that your secure family unit may not be what it seems.
Any Dawson's Creek fans will delight in the fact that Michelle Williams, who 25 years ago got her start in a show about a boy obsessed with Spielberg, is now playing his adored mother. And by god does she make us adore her too. What a performace. Her love and compassion for life exudes from the screen. As a pianist she is grounded in authentic talent. As a mother she is a loving free spirit. And as both she's slightly unhinged. She buys a monkey for "a laugh". Her scenes with both actors playing her son make your heart swell. "In this family it's the scientists versus the artists" she explains. Thankfully Paul Dano, as papa Fabelman, is there to explain how it all works. What a lovely permance from Dano (especially after playing last year's Riddler). He portrays dad with such care and delicacy.
And that sums up the entire film experience. A package handled with such tenderness that you feel so safe in the company of The Fabelmans. A charming adventure filled with compassion and wonder from the opening credits to the closing visual gag.
10 Inspiring Thumbs Up 👍🏻
