Shadows on the Wall | The Fabelmans

The Fabelmans

Review by Rich Cline | MUST SEE

dir Steven Spielberg
scr Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner
prd Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner
with Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle, Seth Rogen, Mateo Zoryan, Chloe East, Sam Rechner, Oakes Fegley, Judd Hirsch, Keeley Karsten, Julia Butters, Greg Grunberg, David Lynch
release US 11.Nov.22,
UK 27.Jan.23
22/US Universal 2h31

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Steven Spielberg takes a nostalgic look back at his own life in this intimate drama based on his own childhood. It's a knowing exploration of identity through the eyes of an observant teen who is beginning to discover truths about himself, his family and the world around him. An attention to detail, sharp performances and clever filmmaking offer a range of connections as the film celebrates storytelling itself.

In 1952 New Jersey, young Sam (Zoryan) begins experimenting with his family's home-movie camera, and the hilarious films hemakes with his sisters thoroughly entertain his parents Mitzi and Burt (Williams and Dano) and close family friend Bennie (Rogen). Then they all move to Arizona, where the now-teen Sam (now LaBelle) hones his craft making war movies with members of his Scout troop. Later in Northern California, Sam encounters the harsh realities of antisemitism and confronts his mother's secret. And as people react to his movies, he grapples with the meaning of the art he's creating.

Anecdotal in structure, the film moves from one quirky incident to the next, shot by Spielberg in a vintage period style and packed with touches that are so offbeat that they must be true. A terrific range of lively side characters, many of whom appear for one scene only, offer terrific moments along the way, including Sam's eccentric Uncle Boris (a fabulous Hirsch), conflicted bully Logan (Rechner), and Christian classmate Monica (East), who is fascinated by Sam's Jewishness.

Sam is sharply well played by the alert, likeable LaBelle, who develops terrific chemistry with each person around him on-screen, drawing out unexpected notes that resonate strongly with the viewer, most notably as he begins his complex journey into understanding how being a storyteller will shift his various relationships. He's particularly strong in scenes with Williams and Dano, who bring intelligence and emotion to unusually complex roles as parents who are both gifted and flawed.

By keeping the story so earthy and honest, and refusing to drift into either melodrama or sentimentality, Spielberg and co-writer Kushner take on some enormous themes without ever pushing a point. Taking a remarkably fresh approach to the genre, this is a rare film that encourages us to follow our passion while remembering those who love us. This push and pull features strongly on-screen, and should provoke some deeper discussion. And as he nods at his own iconic movies, Spielberg is celebrating what made him fall in love with moviemaking.

themes, language, violence 26.Nov.22

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