The Fabelmans
7 Oscar Nominations
Rent/Purchase
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.
What critics thought
Spielberg's semi-autobiographical memoir earned broad critical enthusiasm, with most reviewers praising its warmth, its ensemble performances, and specific sequences — the 'hallway scene' and a Super 8 projection image went viral for good reason. The main fault line runs through how much the film softens its own darkness: admirers read the Hollywood-ized, fable-like quality as earned sentimentality from a master, while skeptics felt it left the rougher material too stage-managed and gristle-free to fully land.
“There remains a remove though still, Spielberg giving us a slightly too stage-managed version of himself and his family, some gristle missing from the darkest moments.”
Benjamin Lee·The Guardian
“somewhat of a fable and wonderful in both large and small ways, even if Spielberg can't help but soften the rougher, potentially lacerating edges.”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
“Spielberg, an incredibly precise filmmaker, never seems certain as to what a movie about his life, or about that of a slightly outsize proxy, should look like, and that uncertainty is actually the warmest and most vulnerable quality The Fabelmans has.”
Alison Willmore·Vulture
“If the movie does adhere to [Steven Spielberg's] signature beats, and feature so many recognizable Spielbergisms, occasionally to its detriment, it's still one of the most impressive, enlightening, vital things he's ever done.”
David Fear·Rolling Stone
Genres
Drama
Cast & Crew
DirectorSteven Spielberg
StarringMichelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord
ComposerJohn Williams
The Fabelmans
7 Oscar Nominations
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.
What critics thought
Spielberg's semi-autobiographical memoir earned broad critical enthusiasm, with most reviewers praising its warmth, its ensemble performances, and specific sequences — the 'hallway scene' and a Super 8 projection image went viral for good reason. The main fault line runs through how much the film softens its own darkness: admirers read the Hollywood-ized, fable-like quality as earned sentimentality from a master, while skeptics felt it left the rougher material too stage-managed and gristle-free to fully land.
“There remains a remove though still, Spielberg giving us a slightly too stage-managed version of himself and his family, some gristle missing from the darkest moments.”
Benjamin Lee·The Guardian
“somewhat of a fable and wonderful in both large and small ways, even if Spielberg can't help but soften the rougher, potentially lacerating edges.”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
“Spielberg, an incredibly precise filmmaker, never seems certain as to what a movie about his life, or about that of a slightly outsize proxy, should look like, and that uncertainty is actually the warmest and most vulnerable quality The Fabelmans has.”
Alison Willmore·Vulture
“If the movie does adhere to [Steven Spielberg's] signature beats, and feature so many recognizable Spielbergisms, occasionally to its detriment, it's still one of the most impressive, enlightening, vital things he's ever done.”
David Fear·Rolling Stone
Genres
Drama
Cast & Crew
DirectorSteven Spielberg
StarringMichelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord
ComposerJohn Williams
Rent/Purchase