I attended an advanced screening for my review. All opinions are my own.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans is written by Spielberg and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America, Caroline, or Change), who has earned Oscar® nominations for his screenplays for Spielberg’s Lincoln and Munich. The film is produced by three-time Oscar® nominee Kristie Macosko Krieger p.g.a. (West Side Story, The Post), Steven Spielberg p.g.a. and Tony Kushner p.g.a. The film is executive produced by Carla Raij (Maestro, co-producer West Side Story) and Josh McLaglen (Free Guy, Logan).
The film stars Gabriel LaBelle (The Predator, American Gigolo series) as 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker Sammy Fabelman; four-time Academy Award® nominee Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea, My Week with Marilyn) as his artistic mother, Mitzi; Paul Dano (The Batman, There Will Be Blood) as his successful, scientific father, Burt; Seth Rogen (Steve Jobs, An American Pickle) as Bennie Loewy, Burt’s best friend and honorary “uncle” to the Fabelman children, and Academy Award® nominee Judd Hirsch (Uncut Gems, Ordinary People) as Mitzi’s Uncle Boris.
The ensemble cast includes Oscar® nominee Jeannie Berlin (The Heartbreak Kid, Inherent Vice) as Sammy’s paternal grandmother, Hadassah Fabelman; Julia Butters (Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, 13 Hours) as Sammy’s sister Reggie; Robin Bartlett (Moonstruck, Lean on Me) as Sammy’s maternal grandmother Tina Schildkraut and Keeley Karsten (Hunters, Evil Lives Here) as Sammy’s sister Natalie.
The music is by five-time Academy Award® winner John Williams (Schindler’s List, Jaws), the costume designer is two-time Oscar® winner Mark Bridges (The Artist, Phantom Thread) and the production designer is two-time Oscar® winner Rick Carter (Lincoln, Avatar). The Fabelmans is edited by three-time Academy Award® winner Michael Kahn ace (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List) and Sarah Broshar (West Side Story, The Post). The film’s director of photography is two-time Academy Award® winner Janusz Kaminski (Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan).
I have been looking forward to seeing the film The Fabelmans. I was excited because it is based on Steven Spielberg’s life. I really enjoyed watching The Fabelmans.
The acting by the whole ensemble was top notch. They were all fantastic. The standouts for me were Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy Fableman and Michelle Williams as his mother, Mitzi.
I loved the cinematography for the film. This movie makes you really appreciate how filming works and what an art form it is. Visually, it was beautiful to watch.
What I loved the most is that you could feel how much of his heart and soul Spielberg put into this movie. It felt like a love letter to his family and his successful career. I loved seeing little ‘easter eggs’ and nods to other films he has made.
This movie is rated PG-13 “for some strong language, thematic elements, brief violence, and drug use.” There is some content that is not appropriate for younger children in this film. I think that this film would be appropriate for older children, probably 13 and older.
I really enjoyed The Fabelmans. I predict that it will be nominated for several awards this upcoming awards season. It is one of the best films I have seen this year. I would watch it again and can recommend it!
The Fabelmans gets bragging rights!!
The Fabelmans is now playing in theaters!
For more information about the film, you can visit the film’s official website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
