The Fabelmans: Movie Review

Cast: Paul Dano, Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, Gabriel LaBelle
Director: Steven Spielberg

If you've ever seen an episode of US sitcom The Goldbergs, then in truth, you have seen The Fabelmans, director Steven Spielberg's latest outing.

A self-confessed ode to cinema and his most personal film yet, The Fabelmans' mix of coming-of-age and cinematic apeing veers a little too close to the formulaic to be truly original - even if the ending hints frustratingly at a freewheeling touch which would have been welcome during the 150 minutes run time.

It's the story of Sammy Fabelman (a subtle LaBelle) and his time growing up in his Jewish family with his parents Mitzi (Williams, who makes the most of her character always needing to be the centre of attention) and the more studious Burt (Dano, a compellingly restrained turn). After Sammy sees the car crash of The Greatest Show on Earth at the movies, he's transfixed and discovers a lifelong obsession.

But as he grows up, he realises the world around him is changing - and not everything is as it once seemed.

While there's much to be applauded about The Fabelmans, there's also a feeling perhaps this ode to his parents is a little too sanitised to be packing any emotional kind of heft, despite Williams' attempt to secure the glory for acting. With timejumps and scenes abruptly shifting, the lines are distinctly blurred, and while perhaps some of that could be washed off as "recollection", Spielberg manages to present an entirely polished view of the family growing up, something which becomes a frustration as the movie goes on rather than a boon.

From remembering his early filmmaking attempts as entirely without error and there being little to no fighting between his parents, the almost saccharine nature of The Fabelmans becomes cloying - and the pastiche a little too hard laid down. A Christian girlfriend is portrayed as over-zealous and the school bullies are all caricatures too - these are the coming of age tropes, but they feel heftily laid down here; it's all to the movie's detriment.

The Fabelmans may be Spielberg refashioning his own story, but in truth the reality of what transpires is in the first syllable of the title - Fabel. It's very much the making of a dream story, and while it's to be commended for its polish, it does feel like it's lacking heart and has been done better many times on TV and in other genres.