The Fabelmans (2022)

The Fabelmans (2022)

Art and family prove inextricable in Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical ode to filmmaking

The Very Best

8.2

Movie

United States of America
English
Comedy, Drama
2022
STEVEN SPIELBERG
Alex Quijano, Ari Davis, Art Bonilla
151 min

What it's about

Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.

The take

The Fabelmans is often described as director Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical movie about his inauguration into filmmaking, and while it certainly is that, I’d venture to say that it also functions as a universal coming-of-age tale, with protagonist and Spielberg stand-in Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) learning harsh truths about identity, family, and passion for the first time.

Here, we see how so much of filmmaking is intertwined with his life, and how the movies inspire his personality (and vice versa). Whether you’re a fan of Spielberg or not, this movie will surely win you over with its beautiful imagery, impressive technique, and big, big heart.

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