Oscar Contender Movie Review: THE FABELMANS

If you ever wanted to know the minutiae of Steven Spielberg’s early life and how he came to love the movies and moviemaking, do I have a film for you!

THE FABELMANS is a loving remembrance of Steven Spielberg’s childhood and his family - beautifully shot, well directed and marvelously acted all rolled up in a nostalgia wrapper of love.

To bad the story isn’t more compelling.

The story takes place in the Post World War II era as young Steven Spielberg…rather, young Sam Fabelman…discovers the joys of filmmaking as a way to escape from a hard-working, but loving father, a crazy, but loving mother and a weird, but loving, Uncle and a well meaning, but loving, family friend.

The script by Spielberg and Tony Kushner is long on remembrance, nostalgia and love while being short on action. This gives the likes of Paul Dano, Michelle Williams, Judd Hirsch and (surprisingly) Seth Rogan a chance to shine in their very dialogue-heavy scenes (with both Williams and Hirsch being nominated for Oscars).

It is clear that this is a deeply emotional experience for Spielberg as he focuses his attentions on the details of the proceedings - especially of the young Sam putting together his short films. These are loooong sequences that, quite frankly, just didn’t interest me as much as it must have interested Spielberg.

What is interesting are those brief parts of the film where something happens - but those times are few and far between. When they do happen, Williams (especially) and Dano shine. As does Hirsch in his brief appearance in this film. Also…without spoiling…there is a very famous modern day Director who plays a very famous old-time Director at the end of his career who gives Spielberg some sage advice. This scene at the end of the film is worth the price of admission alone.

It is for these moments that The Fabelmans is worth the watch - otherwise, you’ll have to indulge Spielberg in his walk down memory lane. Kind of like when your In-Laws pull out the slide projector.

Letter Grade: B

7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)