The Fabelmans Review: Steven Spielberg's film is told from the heart, but mounted in a typical Hollywood Fashion

Title: The Fabelmans

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Jeannie Berlin, Julia Butters, Robin Bartlett, Keeley Karsten, Judd Hirsch, Oakes Fegley, Gabriel Bateman, Nicolaas Cantu, Gustavo Escobar, David Lynch, Chloe East, Sam Rechner

Where: Playing in Theatres

Rating: 4

The Fabelmans is a biopic told straight from the heart but mounted in a typical Hollywood fashion. Filled with warmth, tenderness, and charm- the film loosely tells us about the early growing-up years of ace director Steven Spielberg.

Directed by Steven Spielberg himself, there is so much about him in the film as the young Sammy Fabelman, aka Sam, and yet there is no obvious, dramatic storyline.

The story begins in 1952 with the young and reluctant Sammy Fabelman being taken, by his parents - Burt (Paul Dano) and Mitzi (Mitchelle Williams), to the cinema for the first time to watch Cecil B. DeMille’s film, The Greatest Show on Earth.

During the screening, we see Sam’s eyes amplify his wonder, and then in the train crash scene, fear is written on his visage. This scene robs him of his sleep.

To placate his rattled son, Burt patiently explains the nuts and bolts of the filmmaking process. Mitzi is more direct. She describes to him that films are like “dreams,” albeit those that one can control and fashion in any way one wants, this fascinates young Sam.

And gradually, this fascination leads him to become obsessed with the camera. The narrative tells us about his love-hate relationship with the instrument, and at the same time, it gives us a compelling insight into the Fabelman Family.

It is the camera that initially tears Sam’s heart. It captures, on a family camping trip, his mother’s little secret that soon leads his family to be torn apart. But Mitzi is not one to be blamed alone for the disintegration of the family.

The film portrays each member of the family and their family friend Uncle Bennie (Seth Rogen) matter-of-factly and does not cast judgement on any of them. This is what makes the film endearing and special.

The characters, despite their shortcomings, are treated with loads of love and kindness, and in the end, they find their way forward through disappointment and hurt. There is pain and humour thrown in with equal measure.

Even Sammy has his moments of triumph and pettiness; this is cleverly shown when he chronicles “Ditch Day,” a high school day at the beach, where he portrays his tormentor as a god-like athlete. His film is shown- on prom day. It embarrasses the bully and brings him down to his knees. This is Sam’s way of fighting back, using the camera as his weapon.

The plot, while moving on a steady keel, is consistently fascinating. It's because it is not blatantly pushing the glitter of Hollywood or its stars. Instead, it dispassionately showcases Sam’s passion. How Sam incidentally meets a top Hollywood Director, who roughly shares with him some brilliant nuggets of filmmaking, is a master class by itself.

The light-hearted treatment of the film and the fabulous performances by its brilliant cast are what keep you glued to the screen. Each actor has a moment of on-screen glory that gets etched in your mindscape.

With seven nominations, for the Academy Awards 2023, under its belt, the film speaks for itself.