The Fabelmans

Drama | Steven Spielberg | See in theatres

In this semi-autobiographical drama of Spielberg’s childhood, we witness through the lens of Sammy Fabelman the young director’s developing love for movie making, amidst a sometimes-fraught time of life—in particular, his parents’ relationship and the experience of anti-Semitic bullying at high school. We gain an insight into the director’s early productions—made as a teen— including a train wreck featuring a toy train; The Last Gunfight, a short western made for his scout photography badge; and Escape to Nowhere, a longer war film. This excellent homage to movies also provides a sensitive insight into the director’s own personal life and early years.

(Reviewed by David Youngmeyer)