My Review of "The Fabelmans"

The Fabelmans came out back in 2022 and it was hyped up because it was considered to be biographical to Steven Spielberg's own life. Though this might be true there are much more layers to this movie than that. The main character's interest in movie making takes a back step to the overall family drama happening around him.

We start off with an overall happy outlook at the positive family dynamics of this loving family. Each one of them seems to support and love each other but there is a darkness behind it all. They're a very proud Jewish family but each of the paternal units of the households has a different outlook on life.

We have the father, Burt, who is a genius engineer that wants his son, Sam, to follow in his footsteps. The problem is that Sam doesn't want anything to do with engineering. He wants to make movies as a career. His passion is obvious but Burt only sees this as a hobby.

Meanwhile, we have Burt's opposite with the mother, Mitzi. She's a free spirit that is adored by Burt but there is a bit of a distance between the two. This is no fault of the two they just don't really seem cohesive as a couple but they do it for their kids.

It's actually Sam's passion for making films that opens up this fracture and makes it a crater. There are multiple questions that are asked throughout the movie. We wonder if it's possible to have tons of passion in something without pushing others away. If one is truly passionate about something then they cut all ties but the passion that they're into. We see that in all of the characters in this movie.

We also question one's duties to their happiness. Some things are just unavoidable and there's nothing in our power that can change or make someone change their minds. These are tough lessons and it's a coming of age story for Sam and his sisters during this turbulent time in their lives. No one can really put at blame because the heart follows what it wants to and ultimately we can't avoid being who we are.

I found that they added a little bully side story closer to end that didn't really need to be there. It's understood that it was used to ultimately expose Burt's greed and self-righteousness. Still it kind of felt a little forced at times but I know where they were going with it.

When exploring Burt we naturally assume that he's more like his mother because his mother is the artistic one in the family. Closer to the end we start to realize that maybe Burt is the perfect blend between his father and his mother. He has his mother's artistic talent however he has the dogged drive that his father has to get things done. We even see this closer to the beginning with his creative solutions to everyday problems.

This movie is also shot beautifully. Even some of Sam's early childhood movies play with beautiful angles that make you think he can compose well beyond his age. There's a sense of golden age movie making with this movie and I think a lot of people will love that aesthetic about this movie as well.

Overall, this was a very fun and engaging movie. I couldn't turn away from the movie despite having very little action to it. It was just so well crafted that it had my attention from start to finish. That's some really good story telling and they did a masterclass on me with this one. I have to give this movie an 8.5 out of 10. It's like watching someone's family photo book come to life.