Sammy Fabelman growing up in a post World War II world in Arizona is about to realise his dreams of being a filmmaker as he must deal with growing up and everything a family can throw at you in this delightful coming of age drama.
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This film will go down as the most personal in the Steven Spielberg collection as it is taken from his own life growing up and rather delightful to know that his parents had always wanted him to show the family story on the big screen. This certainly made me very excited to head to the cinema and be greeted by the legendary director on the screen thanking audiences for coming out to see his film at the cinema, a very nice touch I thought.
We instantly see that young Sammy Fabelman was about to enter a cinema for the first ever time and he was actually a little bit scared about it being dark and that he was going to be scared by how big the giants were on the screen. I mean how absolutely adorable is that, I am sure a lot of us can remember our visit and early cinema visits. The film in question for Sammy was The Greatest Show on Earth and he was so obsessed with the train crash. The thing is though even though he got a train set, he actually wanted to not only recreate the crash but to film the crash as well. Highlighting how early he became obsessed with film making.
Burt Fabelman his father was ahead of his time when it came to computers and was a true leader within that field, that meant that the family were given many opportunities to move to different states as his jobs became even more important. Mitzi Fabelman his mother was more a lover of the arts and a very impressive piano player who had given it up when they started the family. Although something she had always enjoyed. Bennie Loewy, or Uncle Bennie was a close family friend and a man his father really trusted to work alongside.
The family aspect show what it was like to grow up with three siblings and how family camping trips were always something to look forward to. I also felt as though Burt showed great character for attempting to make his family have a much better life and be comfortable, he was ambitious and those traits are great to see onscreen. Then having different family members involved at different moments to put across different points and lessons was very effective, as doesn’t that feel so real!
As Sammy enters into his teen years and as part of the scouts he begins to make longer films and screening them as part of a photography badge. As well as capturing family moments, especially on a camping trip. As he begins to edit though he actually discovers something that he does not really want to know and this puts a strain on his relationship with his family and in particular his mother. Then moving during this senior year of high school was never going to be easy, even more so with physical and mental abuse because he is jewish.
I found myself utterly engaged and emotional throughout the film, it all just felt so special and a look at different events and situations that shaped Steven Spielberg into the man and director he would become. It must have been an incredibly difficult film to make at times, but also a totally lovely way to honour his parents and sisters.
Gabriel LaBelle was a revelation in the leading role and so engaging, taking over from Mateo Zoryan. Both capturing the magic in the best possible way. You wanted Sammy to win and succeed because of them and it was just a joy to watch. LaBelle really does have a terrific future ahead of him that’s for sure. Michelle Williams really does get some great roles and I just adored her in this one, given some difficult scenes and copes so effortlessly with everything she was asked to put on screen. Paul Dano has certainly not received enough plaudits for his performance and it was so amazing to see him in this type of role and offered an amazing calmness from start to finish. Seth Rogan offered some good support. Judd Hirsch was a bit of a scene stealer and that was just great as well. The casting all just felt so fantastic and a reason for the film just working in every single possible way.
Thank you Steven Spielberg.
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