The Fabelmans Review - One Of The Greatest Directors Of All Time Tells His Story Before He Became Great

The Fabelmans maker Steven Spielberg has been making films for almost two decades before I was born. Steven made his first film with Universal Pictures in 1971, and now he has made his own biopic with the same studio. There is a big chunk of modern movie buffs and critics who call him the greatest director of all time. Of course, not everybody agrees (including me) because people have different favourites from today's era or the era before Spielberg came into the moviemaking business. Hence, I wrote "one of the greatest filmmakers," not "the greatest!" With Fablemans, we get the chance to know his story, what made him come to movies, what he has experienced in his life, and who was his inspiration. So, I won't spoil the names soon, but let me tell you loud and clear, "DON'T MISS THE CLIMAX!"

An original story of Steven Spielberg's teenage days (played by Gabriel LaBelle) with a bit of fiction and family drama is all that makes The Fabelmans work for every cinephile who just loves watching movies. A boy who doesn't like watching movies is taken to watch Cecil De Mille's Oscar-winning The Greatest Show On Earth (1952) by his parents. I have also enjoyed that film, but I always wonder how it won the Oscar. It wasn't that great. But yes, the grandeur was such, just like Demille's standards. Well, the boy is appalled by the climax sequence of the train accident and becomes interested in movies. Not a regular interest, but now he wants to make his own movies. You know, I was thinking, if that not-so-great film (in my opinion) made Sammy (aka child Steven, played by Mateo Zoryan Francis) go wow about movies, how'd he react to Demille's greatest epic ever, The Ten Commandments (1956)? Why didn't Steve put this scene in, man? Well, then there was Ford's classic with the two greatest stars of all time, John Wayne and James Stewart, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). This clicked better than Demille's "grand circus saga" for me, as you know how good that film is. Then the story follows Sammy's family issues, school days, Jewish racism, and all that mediocre stuff, but at the same time you love watching that filmmaking within a film.

The Fabelmans is a little slow considering its entertainment quotient, even if it tries to be funny sometimes. Nevertheless, it's an immersive experience and has some chill moments too. The frames are full of art, and talk about the climax, man. I was shouting at the John Ford scene. "You wanna meet the latest director ever to live?" He asks and drops him off in the office. Then the pan captures all those frames of classic movies (I love all of them so much, ohh). Then, the man with an eye mask enters. I screamed, and my colleague asked, "Hey, what happened?" I was like, "You won't understand." What a freaking amazing scene that was, followed by an artistic taunt with the "horizon reference" reframed at the ending frame. The great Steven Spielberg!

Gabriel LaBelle is, what, 21 years old? It's hard to believe. You'd agree after watching The Fabelmans. Gabriel has appeared in front loaded films before, and he was looking for an acting-oriented film. The Fabelmans fulfil his wishes. And he gives everything he has to complete the dream. Michelle Williams is in sublime form as a caring mother and unhappy wife (this part seemed unnecessary, but that's Spielberg's life). Paul Dano doesn't seem like he's putting any effort in, as his looks and expressions look damn natural. Seth Rogen, Julia Butters, Judd Hirsch, and Jeannie Berlin's roles fill some more colors, and they have done a good job. Oakes Fegley and Chloe East surprised in the second half. Overall, the acting unit packs a solid punch. That's one of the major reasons why it's a must-see film.

The Fabelmans get fine support from the technical crew. The editing, sound design, and art design are superb, while the cinematography will show you what "Art" means. Like I said, "Don't Miss The Climax!" Watch the "Horizon" frame, and you'll know Spielberg's calibre more than what you knew before. The filmmaker has been out of form (by his own standards, I mean) for almost two decades now (including this film). His last two classics were Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). He had many before, but I don't see any such great films made after these two. Even so, his out-of-form product comes out better than many people's best works. That's the legacy he carries. The Fabelmans is a bit misplaced in romance, unhappy marriage life, and extramarital affair kind of things, but if you overlook these minor flaws, it's a freaking great show! Watch it to celebrate the success and works of the legendary filmmaker, and I warn you again: don't forget to whistle at the last scene.