The Fabelmans: Movie Review

Reel Rating: 8.8/10 | 4-min read

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE FABELMANS

Michelle Williams and Mateo Francis-DeFord (above) as Mitzi and Sammy Fabelman in The Fabelmans (2022)

Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’ is one of the most well-directed films I have ever seen. They say family, art, and life, it will tear you in two; The Fabelmans perfectly showcases this sentiment in an imaginative retelling of Spielberg’s own childhood and beginnings in the world of directing.

If you’ve ever seen a movie, you have probably heard of Steven Spielberg. Maybe you know him for creating iconic pop culture films like Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones. Or maybe from directing cinematic triumphs like Schindlers List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Throughout his career Steven Spielberg has pushed the boundaries of light and sound, developing techniques that helped shape the world of film we know today.

Spielberg has always had a fond place in my memory and over the last few years has become one of my favourite directors. Not because of any film in particular, he has too many bangers, but I’ve become more fascinated with the man behind the camera and what makes him who he is.

Gabriel LaBelle (above) directing a scene as Sammy Fabelman in The Fabelmans (2022)

So when I heard that The Fabelmans - a story said to be based on Spielberg’s own life, was going to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, it was a race to get tickets, that I initially didn’t get…but secured last-minute through my ticket plug 🙏

I had the pleasure of seeing a few films at TIFF22 but this was one of which I was looking forward to the most. And with respect to all the others I saw; the execution on this film was levels above anything else I had seen at the festival.

Steven Spielberg’s direction is fantastic; through The Fabelmans he’s letting you into the way he sees the world in such a profound and personal way. The details of how he’s seeing the world through the language of film, this IS his story.

The different ways The Fabelmans showcases the power of film, were all moments in themselves. How it’s strong enough to tear down a family, but also make a man feel like he can fly. The emotional reactions of both the characters and the audience were beautiful to be a part of and it speaks to how the long-lasting effect of films should be perceived as art rather than simply entertainment.

Steven Spielberg (above) Director, Writer, and Producer of The Fabelmans (2022)

Highlight of the Film: The Directing…I mean what did you expect?

The Fabelmans is two and a half hours of creativity and imagination on display. It’s rare nowadays that a big budget studio would make a film about the origin of a director, but when that director is Steven Spielberg wanting to tell his own origin story, it’s worth taking the chance. I’m very happy this was not a straight to streaming title, it deserves to be seen on the big screen.

A great way to describe The Fabelmans is as an aspiring directors dream film. It was amazing to see the innovative tricks Sammy used to achieve cinematic techniques at home, a lot of which we dismiss as standard nowadays. Like pricking the holes in the film in order to simulate gunfire with the projector, that was a cool trick!

There wasn’t a moment where I felt a scene didn’t hold significance to the story they were trying to tell. Which now looking back on other films with the same respect, is a trait of truly skilled directors. One thing I love most about insightful movies like this is how it seems so obvious that a director would want every scene to have its own purpose, though in reality it’s crazy how few can execute it in the final product.

The cinematography and shot composition from a Steven Spielberg movie always makes , shoutout to whoever the Director of Photography was on set. I hope that upon its theatrical release that this movie does well at the box office and paves the way for more big budget studios to go back to investing in “smaller” films.

Want to see more of what makes Steven Spielberg the monumental and visionary director he is? Check out the 2017 documentary Spielberg.

Paul Dano (right) and Gabriel LaBelle (left) as Bert and Sammy Fabelman in The Fabelmans (2022)

Standout Performance: Paul Dano as Bert Fabelman

Paul Dano, low-key one of the best actors in Hollywood, is able to bring this unspoken sincerity to every project he’s in, and he doesn’t miss with his portrayal of genius, kind father Bert Fabelman, who throughout the film is attempting to move up in the world and thrive in hopes of keeping his marriage together.

Bert’s character is the anchor of the film. You don’t always agree with him but his intentions are always to put his family first. And seemingly the person who deserves happiness and joy from his family the most was the one who ended up with the least by the end. There were a ton of astonishingly heartbreaking moments during this film, every time you want to ask, “Did this really happen?” and from Spielberg’s responses during the Q&A panel…yes, yes it did.

It seems like this movie, if it does accurately depict the events of Steven’s family woes, is a love letter to his father. Showing him what his hobby turned into as well as let him know that he was always also on his side, an important thing I feel to note from this movie.

Another great Paul Dano performance that I always recommend to anyone is Love & Mercy (2014).

Honestly, there are notable mentions extended to the rest of the cast as well, all were phenomenal. Michelle Williams turns in a dazzling performance as troubled mother & wife Mitzi but I just can’t name her as the standout for how much I disliked her character’s decisions. Gabriel LaBelle, who plays teenage Sammy, carried the third act of the film in my eyes. He’ll be a prominent casting in the young actors pool going forward. The entire younger cast was phenomenal in fact. It’s great when the casting department just gets it right and there’s no obvious disparity of talent between young and old.

Gabriel LaBelle (left) and Chloe East (right) as Sammy Fabelman and Monica Sherwood in The Fabelmans (2022)

Great Stories Happen To Those Who Can Tell Them:

I genuinely loved this movie from beginning to end. The passion and determination put into it is so clearly displayed on screen. I can happily say that I wouldn’t want to change a single thing from the film, something I wish I could say about more movies nowadays. If you’re looking for another great movie like The Fabelmans I recommend checking out Cinema Paradiso (1988) next.

The last 10 minutes of this film are a fantastic way to close out the experience. The surprise cameo by David Lynch as legendary director John Ford was not only a hilarious segway from an emotional scene, but also ended on a great piece of advice fitting for a story all about seeing through the eyes of a director. A piece of advice Steven still follows to this date. I’ll let you find out what that advice was on your own. The Fabelmans is a nostalgic ride of passion, love, sorrow and imagination all rolled into one. I will definitely be going to see it again when it comes out in theatres on Nov. 17th, 2022.

Movies are dreams that last forever, The Fabelmans is, and will continue to be just that. Thank you Steven Spielberg for sharing your dreams with us. This movie has me wanting to go shoot a film right now! Anyone interested?