These are the words of Mitzi (played by Michelle Williams), the mother of Sammy (played by Gabrielle LaBelle) in the movie The Fabelmans. From Jaws to E.T., Jurassic Park to Ready Player One, and now The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg, who has dedicated his life to cinema, provides compelling insights into his life in 150 minutes.
The Fabelmans is Spielberg's new semi-autobiographical film. The father of countless masterpieces and blockbusters, Spielberg generously reveals his love of cinema and redefines his life's work. The "movie" in The Fabelmans is not only about dreaming to be something, but also about loving something, dreaming of the end of life, and developing a longing for the unattainable and impossible world. This makes our short life colorful. The film's uninterrupted flow, even when things are beyond its control, sheds light on a life that does not always turn out as intended. Sam's refusal to give up on his movie and his love for it seem to convey Spielberg's message that our lives are beautiful no matter what direction they take and that he loves the movies that frame them.
The movie is not only like reading Spielberg's love letter to cinema, but it also has entertainment value. The film shows us the younger Sammy, who falls in love with movies after watching The Greatest Show on Earth; the teenager Sammy, who is obsessed with making short films with his family and friends; and the older Sammy, who learns about directing after a conversation with an expert he admires. By depicting how all of the Sammys helped shape Spielberg into what he is today, the movie evokes a lot of emotion for those who love cinema and Spielberg.
What makes the movie shine more is the score by the masterful music director John Williams and the performances by Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Gabriel Ravel. The theme song, a variation of Bach's Concerto in D Minor 2nd Movement Adagio, BWV. 974, enhances the characters’ emotions. Furthermore, the actors' performances clearly reveal their characters' identities while remaining restrained and convincing, without overdoing it, thus adding to the movie's completeness.
The filmmaker put a lot of effort into this movie because it is based on his teenage years, and it is a movie that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. Even though Spielberg is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time, his restrained and understated direction in The Fablemans demonstrates why he is a director who consistently delivers masterpieces that touch people.
I strongly recommend The Fabelmans, a must-see for movie lovers that will help you appreciate the love of cinema.
Lee Gyubin, Department of Linguistics