The Fabelmans

Steven Spielberg’s best, most entertaining movie in ages, The Fabelmans chronicles the exploits of the title clan, including dad Burt (Paul Dano), mom Mitzi (Michelle Williams), and son Sam (Gabriel LaBelle), over the course of several years – with a particular emphasis on Sam’s burgeoning passion for making movies and Mitzi’s growing disappointment with her suburban existence. Filmmaker Spielberg, armed with his and Tony Kushner’s screenplay, delivers a slightly uneven yet mostly enthralling drama that grabs and grips the viewer right from the get-go, as the picture kicks off with a terrific opening stretch detailing young Sam’s (Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord) memorable first movie-going experience alongside his parents – with the narrative, beyond that point, following the characters through a series of life-defining encounters and episodes. It’s engrossing stuff that’s heightened and elevated by Spielberg’s stylish, propulsive approach to the material, and there’s little doubt, as well, that the movie benefits substantially from the top-tier efforts of its various performers – with the movie’s three leads turning in career-best work that enhances the emotional impact of many key sequences. (Judd Hirsch‘s showstopping cameo as Sam’s eccentric uncle is a high point within a film rife with high points.) And although the 150 minute runtime does pave the way for a few less-than-stellar stretches, including (and especially) a subplot involving high-school bullies, The Fabelmans builds towards a completely satisfying third act that’s capped off with a spellbinding final scene and note-perfect last shot – which ultimately cements the movie’s place as a stirring, rewarding endeavor that belongs firmly near the top of Spielberg’s erratic filmography.

**** out of ****