The Fabelmans speaks to my artist’s heart in a way that Steven Spielberg movies have never done before. Sure, I loved E.T. as a kid, found adventure in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, and was forever scarred by Jaws. But I don’t think I’ve ever truly clicked with a movie or gone out of my way to go, “I want to watch this movie.” Then I watched The Fabelmans.
Right off the bat, you can tell this is a story dear to Spielberg’s heart. Being the creative genius he is didn’t just happen out of nowhere. It’s something he cultivated. And like every artist out there, there are those that doubt our vision and think of it as a hobby when it isn’t. It’s what sustains our souls and what keeps others fighting for another day when the world is grim. And you can feel that when Sammy sees his first film as a child (Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord) and how it follows him when he grows into a teenager (Gabriel LaBelle).
Joining Sammy on this journey is his mother Mitzi Fabelman, played by the talented Michelle Williams. She’s artistic, just like her son, and encourages him to go forth and create. His father, on the other hand, played by the underrated Paul Dano, thinks otherwise. To him, it’s just a hobby and something that he should set aside to get a “real job.” And as Sammy grows, he begins to realize that he must forge his own path, and create for himself. No one else. And because of that, we can’t wait to watch this film and see where he lands.
Check out the trailer for The Fabelmans here:
The Fabelmans hits theaters on Thanksgiving 2022.
