Released: 27th January 2023 (UK)
Length: 151 Minutes
Certificate: 12A
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Judd Hirsch, Julia Butters, Keeley Karstan and Sophia Kopera
Few film auteurs are as well known or highly regarded as Steven Spielberg; for decades he has taken on productions from almost every genre. For his most personal release to date, Spielberg has put together a meaningful drama, one that combines a family’s evolving dynamic with a love letter to film.
Set in the 1950s, The Fabelmans are a well-off Jewish family moving around America for greater fortunes. Burt (Paul Dano) is a successful electrical engineer, Mitzi (Michelle Williams) an aspiring pianist and their son Sammy (Gabriel LaBelle) finds a different calling after seeing his first film at a young age. As he grows up and makes his own movies, Sammy begins to find some troubling cracks in his family’s wellbeing and tensions begin to rise both in and out of the household. Spielberg based the story and characters on his own upbringing, weaving many personal experiences into the plot. Everywhere you look, the creative passion shows; we follow this family from start to finish, seeing their bond grow and change in a very natural manner. Meanwhile, Sammy continues to pursue greater ambitions, making use of more advanced cameras and slowly improving his craft. This clashes with difficulties at high school and the teenager’s own inner turmoil. These stories never feel disconnected; they play into each other, fuelling the events that unfold while fully absorbing you into this family unit.
Every character is brilliantly defined by both place and personal connections. Gabriel LaBelle and Michelle Williams lead the way with their emotionally charged performances. A secret hangs over the two of them, generating some believable reactions and consequences. The way Sammy grapples with his talents and Mitzi’s ever-increasing guilt are both presented beautifully. What pulls the cast together is the humanistic writing from Tony Kushner; despite relying on fairly typical tropes for the coming-of-age narrative, nothing feels forced or artificial when it comes to the character relationships. When Sammy talks to his father about the feasibility of a career in film, you can feel their individual motivations and attitudes causing some friction. One of the most powerful moments comes in the latter half of the film in a heated family discussion; the raw emotion pours out of all five family members and you believe every second of it. Both the adult and child actors are superb on every level, making you care about all of them throughout the film’s longer running time. Add to that a few clever doses of humour and you have one of the best scripts of any film this year.
From the 1950s to the early 1960s, everything surrounding element in The Fabelmans is at the top of the class. Of course the time period is recreated to the highest quality with a heavy focus on vehicles and analogue technology. The camera lenses grow wider and more advanced as the film goes on. An array of excellent shots convey Sammy’s growing affection for the art of film, from a projection in the palm of his hand to the shots that greatly affect his audience. Watching it all unfold is dazzling, as are all the little details. Framing is key in drawing out the growing distance between Sammy, Mitzi and the other Fablemans while the lighting both in and out of the auditoriums never falters; as a result, the same sense of wonder lands on the viewer while watching. The soundtrack alternates between a sombre piano played by Mitzi at one moment and a set of poignant tracks from John Williams the next. These regular collaborations have resulted in many stellar achievements before and this outing is no different.
The Fabelmans is a masterwork from one of cinema’s greatest creators; endlessly compelling and heartfelt, it pulls the audience in to the titular family, allowing us to connect and empathise with all their ups and downs. Running alongside this emotive tale, we have a lovingly crafted tale of a boy’s passion for filmmaking which seamlessly complements the surrounding drama. It’s personal and sincere; a film that everyone needs to see.
Rating: 5/5 Stars (Exceptional)
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