Dylan’s review published on Letterboxd:
Movies. Every one of us has an undying passion for them. We all felt that spark the first time we stepped into a movie theater, wafted the buttery aroma and transported ourselves into the magic of the big screen. The Fabelmans is a story that encompasses that exact passion and joy we all feel for film.
Steven Spielberg is a director who grew up the same as any other film connoisseur. With a camera, and a dream. He understands what that magic feels like. And he illustrates that from the eyes of Sammy Fabelman. That is really the selling point of the film: the connection we feel with our lead. He's a wonderful, somewhat outcasted but ambitious kid. We can all find something to connect to inside of him.
From my perspective as a film lover, I connected to Sammy's inconsistent devotion to them. I've always loved movies, but some times more than others. Sometimes I watch 10 movies in a week, other times I watch 3 a month. Sammy shows how he goes through phases with filmmaking. He either edits 5 films at a time, shoots directs, acts, writes, and overworks himself joyfully and willingly, or he takes a year-long hiatus and doesn't even accept a thousand dollar camera as a gift. He also shows the rekindling of the flame, the rediscovery of finding that suppressed passion once again.
And another thing I found so compelling about this film was that ending. A lot of films these days have all the build up, but decide not to wrap the story up correctly because they want us as viewers to create our own interpretation of the ending. The Fabelmans kind of does that perfectly. it leaves you hanging slightly, with questions about Sammy's future in filmmaking (even though we all know the story of Steven Spielberg). But also gives you that fun, cheesy in a good way jolt that sends off this sweet film.
I think overall this is a pretty flawless film. Michelle Williams is brilliant as per usual. Seth Rogan is an unexpected star, and Paul Dano is perfectly weird as always. Maybe it doesn't soar to the highest highs, but it keeps you entertained through and through, telling a compelling coming-of-age tale and re inviting you to the wonderful world of filmmaking.
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