REVIEW: The Fabelmans pay passionate homage to art and film

After bringing a colorful spectacle to cinema screens at the end of 2021 with 'Love sublime love‘, Steven Spielberg decided to go for a more intimate line, using as a basis an artifact that is, by far, one of the most precious: his own memory.

'The Fabelmans'(The Fabelmans) is a perfect film for Spielberg to direct. Not only for knowing very well how to build a narrative based on his personal experience, but also for talking about and appreciating the seventh art. Consequently, the feature film would not go unnoticed by future awards — it competes for seven categories in the Oscar 2023. But what makes a film about cinema not fall into the sameness as others? The answer lies in the way of approaching this subject.

The passion for cinema

In 'The Fabelmans', Sammy (Gabriel LaBelle) is a small boy who goes to the cinema for the first time in the 50s. At first afraid of the reports about the large and frightening images invading the room he was about to enter, he enters accompanied by his mother (Michelle Williams) and his father (Paul Dano). Upon leaving the session, Sam is determined to create films after his revolutionary experience.

In this new feature, Spielberg goes from childhood to adolescence of this young man with many ideas in mind and is unlikely to give up on them. The first hit here is the choice of cast. In addition to Gabriel, Paul and Michelle are adorable in their roles and deliver such sweet performances that it's almost impossible not to get attached to them.

In its 2 hours and 31 minutes duration — which even passes in a delicious lightness —, the viewer follows Sammy's passionate gaze while family issues of the Fabelmans come to the fore. Even in the saddest moments, it is clear how this is a production made with a lot of love and affection.

A camera in hand and a dream

The pace established by the film is a crescent, certainly more exciting after the first act of the feature. Just as Sammy is a born artist, capable of recording unique moments on his camera, Spielberg films with excellence. Two highlights here are the recording of a scene commanded by Sammy for his private project and the moment of Michelle's character in front of the family campfire.

It is worth mentioning that Sammy's mother is his main source of inspiration. Their exchanges and affections intensify the most important moments of the film and manage to move the audience. The script for 'Os Fabelmans' knows how to build and develop its characters, even those with a short appearance, like the distant uncle Boris (Judd Hirsch). Judd was even remembered by the Academy for Best Supporting Actor this year. Too bad Paul Dano, a versatile actor, still hasn't been recognized for it.

Is 'The Fabelmans' worth watching?

With his eyes shining, Steven Spielberg delivers a sincere, delicate and very passionate work for the story he wants to present to the public. 'The Fabelmans' is a lovely film, with some surprises in the plot and at the end of the film, and it stands out precisely because it is not the literal translation of "a cinema film", but rather as a film about the art and the pleasure of making movies.

This is a plot that should touch a lot of people, especially artists and passionate about creating art in its purest form. Without them — and without a Sammy in our lives — the world would certainly be a little less inspiring.

What are the chances at the Oscars 2023?

As already mentioned, 'The Fabelmans' competes for seven Oscar 2023 categories: Best Film, Best Direction, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Production Design.

Just the fact that it is a project headed by Spielberg, one of the Oscar's most beloved directors, is already a great weight in favor of this film. So, it is unlikely that he will leave the ceremony without at least one statuette. Our bet is on Best Direction, a category in which Spielberg has already won at other awards this year.

It's not impossible that the feature ends up taking Best Picture, a category that has a history of surprises. Unfortunately, Michelle and Judd's chances of winning in the acting categories are slim, as is Production Design, which is almost in the hands of 'Babylon', of Damien Chazelle. Now, another possible chance of the film is in Screenplay. Either way, here's hoping this movie doesn't leave the Oscars empty-handed.

And you? Have you watched the movie? Tell us your opinion in the comments.

See also:

Also access other related content on Showmetech, such as our criticism about Avatar: The Way of Water, one of the main films of this Oscar season.

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim