Steven Spielberg, the legendary director who gave us Jaws, E.T, Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan and so much more returns with his latest triumph, a fascinating semi-autobiographical tale of his complicated childhood and falling deeply in love with the camera.
From the moment Sammy Fabelman watches his first film he is captivated by the magic of cinema and its power to tell stories and inspire emotion. Yet as he grows up with a complex family life and starts to make his own films, this passion is challenged, critiqued, and mocked as he works out if this is just a hobby or a life-long passion.
That’s the thematic crux of the movie: what it means to be an artist. To create.
A terrific quote from Sammy’s Uncle Boris sums it up: “Family. Art. Love. It will tear you apart!” You get the feeling Sammy feels both blessed and haunted with his ability to distort truth and create worlds with his camera and editing machine. He knows he must make films but can’t escape the consequences that come with it.
The Fablemans is equal parts uplifting, tragic and funny, and I implore you to set aside time to give it a viewing this month.
Chris is the Author of @filmandfoodpodcast