Steven Spielberg is one of the most renowned film directors of all time. From “Jaws” to “Jurassic Park” to “Schindler’s List,” he has gained a legacy that should last a long time. However, he did not start with fame and riches from day one. Spielberg had to work his way up. The first step to that was for him to discover a love of film. That is the plot for “The Fabelmans.” Now, this is not a direct retelling of his childhood. This story is not even sold as the story of Steven Spielberg. It is sold as the story of Sammy Fabelman. Some names and aspects of life are changed, but this is mostly Spielberg’s life story. Spielberg has made many successful films over his long career, but this is probably the most personal film that he has ever made. This is a film stacked with great talent and a heartwarming story. The story may be a little formulaic and played out, but it certainly has a lot to offer. So rent “The Fabelmans” to see an Oscar winning director’s humble beginnings.

Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) is a young Jewish boy growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. He is raised by his eccentric mother Mitzi (Michelle Williams) and his hard-working father Burt (Paul Dano), alongside his three sisters. From the moment Sammy first goes to a movie theater to see a film, he is hooked. He then decides he is going to spend his time with a camera to make fun movies with his friends. His parents are encouraging, but they, especially his father, see it as more of a hobby than a career. That does not stop Sammy from following his passions. He is also supported by his dad’s best friend Bennie (Seth Rogen), but Sammy does not feel supported when he discovers Bennie’s secret that affects his whale family. Sammy also moved around a lot as a child, from Ohio to Arizona to California. He has to get used to these new environments, and the discrimination that follows with being a Jewish boy in the mid-20th century in some unfriendly areas. Between all of his family drama and his different living situations, Sammy has to remember that life is ever changing, but films carry on.

It can be difficult to carry a film as a newcomer alongside some A-list talent. LaBelle manages to do just that. He may not have a lot of credits to his name, but he is an excellent talent. He accurately shows the struggles of being a child struggling with moving a lot and parents fighting. His emotion felt authentic, and he was able to be both serious and funny. I hope to see more from Labelle soon. The performances from the rest of the Fabelman family were also fun to watch. Michelle Williams’s role as the mother was a part that required a lot of energy. Williams was able to capture the quirkiness and zaniness of this character while also showing her broken inside. While Williams is not very believable as a Jewish woman, and the weird in-and-out accent did not help matters, she fully captured this character’s energy. Between the two parents, Dano delivered a performance that was more subtle, but also felt more real. The archetype of his character, a stern father who thinks son’s passion is a hobby, has been done countless times. However, Dano was able to bring nuance to the role and gave more sympathy than that trope usually offers. As the film goes on, the audience sees him open more, until the end when we see his true emotions. That made this a fantastic portrayal. It also feels necessary to mention an Oscar nominated actor from this film, Judd Hirsch as Sammy’s great-uncle. Hirsch was in two scenes, but he surely made the most of those two scenes. He helped inspire Sammy to keep going with his film dreams. Dano certainly deserved the supporting actor nomination over Hirsch, but the latter’s acting was definitely powerful.

This is the type of film that does not require you to do much thinking. There is a simplicity to this film, with some moments being a little predictable. That being said, an easy film experience could be nice these days. A lot of movies try to be complex, or be an allegory for some bigger problem. A story about a boy with a camera struggling with his family could be a straightforward film for today’s audiences. The story can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all backgrounds. This film celebrates the beauty of passions, and is able to combine the coming of age genre with the semi-biopic genre. There are some moments of excitement, but this is a film mostly filled with a calm plotline. The strength of the film is the audience’s connection to the characters, and the rest is undemanding. This film could have existed thirty years ago, but it exists just fine now. Though, is “just fine” the type of film that gets nominated for Oscars? Spielberg knows how to make a fantastic film, that’s a given. However, is the fact that he made this film the only reason why it is getting praise? If this was just the story of a child who likes films, would people even care? This is not to say this film is boring, as it is certainly enjoyable, it is just to say that this film has been done.

While his stories have brought great success over the years, Spielberg is called a director before he is called a writer. That is proven with this film, as it is directed very well. This film takes place in the 1950s and 1960s, and that is clear in the setup of the shots. The coloring of the film gives an old-school feel that transports the viewer into the era. It is bright when it is meant to be a thrilling moet, and toned down when the situation calls for it. There are also many different locations portrayed in the film, and they were all very distinctive in the eye of the camera lens. Spielberg has done an excellent job of capturing settings in multiple ways. The film was very meta in that way, as this is a movie about a child learning how to make films. The tips and tricks he tries are what Spielberg has already developed and practically perfected. Seeing the film through Sammy’s camera shows how this craft has evolved and Sammy already has talent up his sleeve. This is not Spielberg’s typical type of film, and most of his directing usually requires more extravagant efforts. This film is a lot more subtle, but there can be a beauty found in subtlety. He did not try to make this film something it was not. There was nothing that tried too hard to be fancy, but it still looked polished. Not to give any spoilers, but the last scene of the film is able to show the importance of Spielberg to the craft, and the wonder he brings to his projects.

There is something beautiful about getting the chance to watch someone’s personal story. Spielberg has left a large impact on the film industry, and this move got to show his humble beginnings. While that may be the only reason why people are seeing this film, “The Fabelmans” is definitely worth people’s time. The film received many accolades, including the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, and made the top ten list of many film critics. So it is clear that many people certainly found some enjoyment. It is great for a rainy day, or when you want a break from the intensity of life and media. This is not Spielberg’s swan song, as he certainly has more movies left in him. However, this may be one of his more important films. It is a love letter to cinema, and the audience is the recipient. So if you want to know the start of one of the greatest directors, or you want to learn about growing up as a Jewish child in the mid 20th century, watch “The Fablemans” today.