THE FABELMANS Movie Review - Breakfast All Day
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Steven Spielberg explores his early love of film with the highly personal, exceptionally crafted drama "The Fabelmans." Christy and Alonso review the latest from the master director, which will surely be a factor in this year's awards season discussions. Co-written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner. Starring Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle, Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch and Chloe East.
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I attended a Writers Guild screening with Spielberg and Kushner in attendance and they confirmed most of what’s in the film really happened (including the nightmare phone call and the bully being mad at being made the hero in the senior film).
I love this film the more I think about it. Spielberg truly understands how we feel cinema. I entered the film as the scientist and left the artist.
That's very cool, thanks for sharing.
czcams.com/video/RMi30ma3XM4/video.html
Do you think The Fabelmans should win best picture next month at the Oscars? Or you prefer another nominee from the listed films?!
I was astounded by the sacrifice Spielberg’s dad did to keep his son from hating his Mom. How can a father survive his son not talking to him for 15 years just to keep the mom’s reputation intact is beyond my comprehension!😢😮
I echo Alonso's statement in the opening. 'West Side Story' was my favorite film last year, BTW.
We enjoyed it too.
It’s a testament to Spielberg’s master craftsmanship that this still gets an 8 in spite of all your reservations.
It's extremely well-made.
The way Christy describes this movie so articulately and with so much general background knowledge about film techniques, is why she is the best critic since Roger Ebert.
So sweet, thank you!
Virgo Rat, the Supportive Analyst!
Plenty of small intimate John Williams scores btw (Jane Eyre, Saving Private Ryan, Angela's Ashes, The Accidental Tourist).
Charlton Heston once overheard a woman who'd just watched The Greatest Show on Earth say 'It was good how they found a real circus boss to play himself'. Heston, who played that boss, says it was the best review he ever got.
I feel that Spielberg is now so perfectly slick in his storytelling prowess that he leaves no mark on you. I have been watching his movies from the "outside" for two decades now.
What exactly do you mean? "He leaves no mark on you" or you are "watching from the outside". Can you explain in layperson words so that a commoner like me would understand what exactly you are trying to say???
@@nikitamohanan2124 I believe he means to say his films lack heart and genuine emotional resonance.
@@agi2160 Pretty much. But the slick style also contributes to this. Like watching a beautiful clockwork of technique that never punches through to your emotions. No edge to the filmmaking (or the material) since A.I.
@@nikosvault I worry I may feel that way watching the OVER 3 LONG DECEMBER MOVIES Avatar the way of water and Babylon. Those movies look spectacular from their trailers but nobody has any clue what the actual story is or if there is s story in them??? Also if Babylon is just a 3 hour debauchery and orgy marathon with 1 scene after another like that and no plot and character development, it runs the risk of crashing and burning the way Amsterdam did!
I don't think Tony Kushner is a good fit for Spielberg. He doesn't help in rubbing off some of the slickness.
Beautiful film, especially inspiring for creatives or for anyone who appreciates the arts. Just don't expect a lot of dramatic monologues or Spielbergian action scenes. It's a fairly slow film that unfolds beautifully and ties everything together by the end
Definitely captures that all-consuming creative drive.
like most peoples life.
It was 1985, and yet another visit to one of the few Kosher restaurants back then in LA, “The Milky Way” on Pico.
While the food was always good. it was seeing Proud Jewish Mother Leah Adler, aka Mom of Steven Spielberg, holding court with her adoring patrons, that was the cherry on the cheesecake. Swirling from table to table, in blond pixie cut and radiant smile, she made everyone feel at home, with no apparent filter when it came to her accomplished son. With his movie posters covering the walls, and husband Bernie sitting at the entrance by the register, you’d expect one gem or another, and she never disappointed “Yes, Steven just got married to Amy (Irving) and she’s not Jewish, but I don’t want to alienate my son”. While perhaps too much information in another setting, here it was “Mishpocha “ (Family), and we all nodded, and smiled, captivated by her Magic, and Maternal Joy. Little did I know then, that I would sit in a movie theatre decades later, and experience this ethereal being brought to life once again by her Devoted son, and Stellar cast in “The Fabelmans”. Grateful for the connection with Leah, albeit brief and casual, the film succeeded for me in capturing a loving bond, and especially a woman who was all heart.
Thank you so much for sharing all of that!
I just rewatched E.T. for the first time in a while. Such a beautiful and touching film (little Drew Barrymore was so adorable) and it definitely pumped me up to see this.
Still one of his absolute best.
I had a close friend who was an extra on Munich, and he described Speilberg was in his trailer the whole time and the DP did the directing to the cast. And in the film Bridge of Spy had that plane scene that made me burst out laughing over how silly it looked. I'm okay with Spielberg making a personal film, but at this phase his films just come off like made by another effects house, or like people eager to impress spielberg's own personal interest. I have yet to enjoy a Speilberg film since Catch Me If You Can.
Good review.
Funny enough, there's another movie that came out this year about film making. It's this really cute, wholesome anime called pomp the cinephile and it's actually one of my favorites of year. Definitely didn't predict that would happen!
The Michelle Williams/Seth Rogen connection is interesting because the theater I saw The Fablemans in played the trailer for Women Talking which is Sarah Polley’s first narrative film in 12 years (since Take This Waltz)
That is interesting!
Spielberg is a titan of cinema today. He is our Cecil B DeMille. John Williams’ score for “the accidental tourist” is subtle and beautiful. Cate Blanchett would like to talk about the BA Oscar this year. And, yes, there is an emotional distance with Steven Spielberg’s work. He’s very careful. I’ve always wondered why. Heart-warming is not passionate. Nostalgic is not impactful.
Very good film, although incomplete! I would've pushed the length to 3 hours, included the meteor shower which inspired Firelight which inspired Close Encounters as well as the making of Amblin, the introduction to Sid Scheinberg and the first professional assignment, directing Joan Crawford in an episode of Night Gallery.
I prefer Spielberg's 70's output, especially his two gritty road movies, Duel and Sugarland Express.
Enjoyed it but some scenes went on way too long. Also, I missed the exclusion of how Spielberg sneaked onto the Universal lot dressed as a young executive, and his first directing gig on the TV show, "Night Gallery", where his leading lady was Joan Crawford.
me too,i see your a closet spielberg historian.😊😊👍👍
Au Revoir Les Enfants and Hope and Glory are two brilliant films where directors share their childhood experiences during WW 2.
I love Spielberg as much as the next movie geek (West Side Story was my favorite movie last year), but is there something odd/unseemly about writing & directing your own biopic, or is it just me?
And yet ... who else could he trust it to?
Theres several recently that have been great Roma and Belfast and Cold War was based on the directors parents relationship. It is very personal when you direct it yourself.
Great review! I just wanted to point out that you mentioned Michelle Williams was gonna win for this performance, and while I agree she would have won if she went in supporting I feel like lead actress is wayy too stacked with Blanchett and Deadwyler. Do you guys think she could actually win lead too?
Did we say she was going to win? We definitely discussed her being in the mix. Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh and Danielle Deadwyler will be factors too. Thanks for watching.
'Would have won'? Have the awards been handed out already?
@@myytchanneldinakoha8498 no hes saying if she went into supporting shes a slam dunk. But lead is too stacked this year. She she should have gone into supporting.
Then the verb tenses are wrong. Try 'would win' and 'should go (into supporting.'
From the moment after seeing it, I've been kind of stunned at how much I got swept up in it. It really worked for me. I loved the comparisons you guys made to Armageddon Time, that was in my head from just finally seeing that one too. Maybe it's where I am right now, but I really love the personal, if sometimes too much so(?), aspect of both of those films.
Thanks for sharing!
I went cold in to this movie. I saw no reviews. On Tuesdays I find out that Stephen got a Golden Globe. So, I didn't know the story was about himself. The family dynamics had disjointedness of a kind. May be because he was covering meal times that took to ling, while making sure that the food was chewed up in a particular dialog. Of course I understand that it was about him and his family was a big part of himself. Some parts with no dialog, just a body language and eye contact was excellent. The disjointed parts of chewing the food, sitting at table did not capture my attention as much. I thank that a good narrative telling his deepest feelings to an audience would make me more attentive, than his uncle chewing his food and telling the story. I was very bored during first hour. It could have been made more interesting by cutting it shorter in then first hour. The second hour could have been edited to make it more interesting for the audience. Cutting-splicing of film was a very important part of his learning. Young people of today may not be familiar with that method of editing the film. Some explanation with some narrative to tell the audience the story was needed. It was not a psychological thriller of a kind to make the audience see a " full day" , family interacting with him in order to work it out ourselves. I think it was pointless in having to sit through a very slow moving story for two and a half hours. His teenage years dragged on with seens that apparently did not happened made the story dragging on further and was not that interesting. The born again christian bible bashing, bran washing was an overkill. If it did happen as shown in the movie it obviously look's radiculas to an educated modern man's lifestyle today. However, the same can be said for all religions today where people believe in method of worshiping "God" that may or may not do anything to save person's soul. Showing conformity to the environment a person find them selves in order to be eccepted to a group.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Guys, its still a autobio. And there are more things true than not. I like it that spielberg made it more real and not just try to entertain people with fake stories. And if you knew spielbergs mother, she was over the top. And michelle played her perfectly.!!
I agree. The biggest problem is that his childhood and path he takes to become filmmaker is just not that interesting or captivating. This simply did not require a film . Documentary would be just fine . This is vanity project.
Thanks for your thoughts! We found it more intriguing than you did.
Me I felt the same about West Side Story… absolutely perfect in every way but I was not moved at all!!
I'm certain it's because I'm a filmmaker but this might be my favorite movie so far this decade! The last scene had me squatting on my seat! I was trying so hard not to stand all the way up to not freak out everyone else in the theater!
Glad you loved it!
It FINALLY came out today here in France and I rushed off to see it immediately !!! I really enjoyed it and I understand why some people call it a masterpiece, it sure looks like one and has all the hallmarks. Yet as you say, it’s not emotionally gripping. Some scenes felt extremely stagey, and at times some of the acting too, particularly near the beginning , so that although I certainly did feel drawn in at times, it was definitely not consistently!
So glad you finally caught up with it! Thanks Bev.
Spoiler: David Lynch at the end was fantastic.
So it's not just me.
I went in with a pocketful of tissues just in case. But then I fully expected to come to this review after watching the movie to hear what I missed but I agree with you both. And I always felt like I could see Michelle "acting". Also was thinking about Take This Waltz. I wouldn't score it in the 8's though.
Thanks for all that, Bob!
No offense to glass onion (which I’m very much so lookin forward to) but this is my most anticipated for thanksgiving
Let us know what you think!
@@BreakfastAllDay the moment in the trailer when he tells his father “will you stop calling it a hobby” hit me so hard. So there’s a chance I may 😢.
looks like a great drama, will see it surely. by your review it seems (to me) to be a movie similar to Sorrentino's The Hand of God, which is also autobiographical: technically great, memorable scenes but for some reason it's not 'moving' or it lacks that 'x-factor'.
most of the sources I'm seeing online suggest that Paul Dano is pronounced DAN-oh, and the original Italian surname is the same
Day-no.
I was worried this film was going to be masturbatory but Christy’s review really intrigues me. I’m going to try to watch it on Sunday.
Great, let us know what you think!
Very, very perceptive and articulate review. Thanks.
Thanks so much for watching, Virginia!
Love this review. Looking forward to it based on your reactions. I anticipate being wildly impressed by the performances, all of the exquisite technical elements, various wow scenes and moments as you say. I, too, wonder about the emotional hook. Time will tell!
Thanks so much for watching!
@@BreakfastAllDay it is my pleasure
I feel you guys are being biased because it's Spielberg. I mean, Alonso says he was expecting to be swept away like Spielberg has done in the past, Christy says that the film didn't move her like E.T. and I totally agree. But at the same time, if this was made by another director everyone would be calling it a triumph but since it's Spielberg they are comparing it to his films from the past. I feel Spielberg is almost a victim of being so successful at a young age and everyone is expecting his next Raiders, E.T. or Jaws.
Hard not to compare when a filmmaker is so prolific! Especially when the film is about how he got his start as a director. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
Spielberg made a semi bio pic. Of course he's gonna win the oscars.
Just saw this. Worst movie of the year for me. (Besides Top Gun). The overall direction and tone was just so phony. Bad acting (directing/writing). Michelle & the kid were just completely out of any pocket. Some great photography & colors & lighting. But the technical stuff is useless when the script and direction & acting is below subpar.
Judd was great.
THE BEST ENDING EVER. Lol. Really happy I didn’t walk out early. Literally the best ending to a movie in awhile.
It felt like the ending of Twin Peak The Return where it just completely decimates everything you just watched lol.
Why the did they have Sammy wear BROWN contact lenses? Insane. Those bright blue eyes as a kid. What a ludicrous decision lol. Unforgivable stuff.
These are my initial reactions. Always subject to change.
The generally very positive reviews of this are making me think people are not being very honest.
Or i’m on another planet. Either way lol
Tornado scene so dumb
Can’t believe they used a monkey. Did they learn nothing from Nope?
Oh my gosh I HATED this movie, it was utterly embarrassing it felt like Tommy Wiseau made it with Spielberg’s DP, and I loved West Side story
Oh no, sorry to hear that!
Really was hoping to see this before the end of the year. Guess I’ll have to see it in 2023. Curious how I’ll come away from it versus you two. Will probably revisit your review after I see it.
Thanks Jason, and Happy New Year!
The movies title tells me why Spielberg filmed it a certain way. Dramatic overlays, schmaltz and hamminess, all done to symbolize Spielberg’s memory of his childhood. Spielberg is so brilliant that I think you both missed the point of the “fable”. I see this film as a masterpiece of film making by the greatest director of his generation….rendering Oscar caliber performances from Williams, Dano, Hirsch and possibly the lead, Gabrielle LaBelle… I think Spielberg gives his audience a perfect sense memory of his childhood and the catalysts that sent him soaring as a film director. I give The Fablemans a 10 out of 10
great points sir.
Wish he'd condensed the first 2 hours into 1 and then spent another 90 minutes on the studio lot. Agree, lacked the trademark Spielberg magic :(
Thanks for your thoughts, James!
I was actually glad this movie wasn't a tear jerker
Interesting, how come?
Just saw the film today and are you kidding with not being emotionally involved. It really moved me how can it not it was incredibly moving and i loved this film.
I thought it was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen
Glad it worked for you!
Is it worth $20 to rent?
I guess I’ll wait for streaming
You guys should do a best and worst of the year video
We always do, thanks!
This film is like an artless version of the Tree of Life
I find it difficult to be too emotionally invested in any film these days. Spielberg has been criticized in the past for being too sentimental, for deliberately going for the heart strings, and, I'm finding that filmmakers are afraid to dig deeper to create more of an emotional well. We live in a very cold world, and perhaps this is simply a reflection of that. The only film recently that moved me was "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and that's because it was completely unexpected (twice!). With Spielberg, one expects those emotional moments.
People, why are we wasting our time? It's between this, "Everything everywhere all at once" and "Top Gun Maverick".
Hm, your reviews make it seem mediocre, yet your scores are very high. I would give it a 6. I do agree with you guys about it being underwhelming emotionally.
And yet it's so well made.
8's pretty high. The way you're describing it, it sounds like a 7 at most.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
Stephan Spielberg has never had an emotional insight in his life and he continues to not...
I think it should’ve called the fabelmen instead of the fabalman’s. I know it’s their last name but feels weird to say
Problem is todays audiences don’t relate to filmmakers/filmmaking of the 70’s. Film cameras? These directors are self-indulgent past dwellers not giving audience what they could relate to. Tarantino:Once Upon a Time, PT Anderson: Licorice Pizza. 40+ old directors forcing un-relatable stories on 20 some old kids. We already saw this film in Amblin’s failed “Super8”. This is why cinema has to change. Todays movie going demographic no longer can relate to the 60’s and 70’s. To ignore this fact is self-indulgent narcissism even for a gentleman like Spielberg.
But it's his story, so of course he's going to depict it using the technology with which he learned to become a filmmaker. And regardless of the kind of camera he used, the thrill of the creative process is the point, isn't it?
you have to go back before you go forward.This is a fundamental mistake so many of your generation make.Which is why so very little that is original comes from you.Who will give a shit about so many of todays artists in the next 15 to 20 years.People will still be learning at the feet of the old masters of the 60s and 70s and 80s.In both music and cinema.The birth of rock music came about because there was a group of white teenagers that learned the music of the past,blues,gospel ,r @ b,in some cases these blues artists had been long dead.So nothing that has value is ever born in the present,Take the lump of shit that was babylon,he failed in part because he could not find the past,yes he has read about it,but he doesnt know it.Which is why he couldnt control his material.
Smooth, slick and forgetable. This film faded rapidly from my mind once watched.
I saw the film and thought it was just OK. I found Spielberg's West side story far more entertaining along with many of Spielberg's other classics like ET, Jaws and the first Jurassic Park. I wouldn't have minded if Spielberg won Best director and best film for west side story but I WILL BE PISSED AT THE OSCARS AND OTHER AWARD SHOWS IF THEY AWARD SPIELBERG OVER THE DANIELS NEXT YEAR for BEST DIRECTOR AND BEST FILM! THAT'S A SIN!!! NO JUST NO!!! EEATO made FAR MORE MONEY AT THE BOX OFFICE THAN ALL THE OSCAR BAIT MOVIES and is still way up high with the critics too. Critics Choice PLEASE BE FAIR! I agree with Christy. Michelle's performance seemed a bit overdramatic in some scenes of this film! I found Gabriel and Paul's performances far more natural.
Thanks for your thoughts, Nikita.
I think it's too personal an endeavor for a director to depict his own life on screen... hard to be objective, so
many scenes run too long.
We've seen quite a few of these lately: Roma, Belfast.
LOL it literally sounded like you guys were marching towards a 6.8-7.0 rating given how you were describing what you liked and didn't....Pretty sure you gave Weird Al movie a lower rating and you both were glowing talking about that....goes to show the power and talent of Spielberg - we all just plain expect 9s and 10's from him all the time! :)
We are full of surprises.
It was a very good movie. 8.5 out of 10
Glad you enjoyed!
Film Makers: You know who's really great? Film makers!
What are your criteria? Why is this film an 8.2 and not an 8.3 or 7.8? These scores seem totally random
To mr Spielberg films have mostly felt dustant ( apart from Schindlers list)....a lot of craft but distant....and jeez can i not forgive him for making a dogs breakfast of Tintin ( shinning light of European bande dessinee)...he didnt get it and it showed thst maybe he doesnt have the cultural depth that we all "think" he does
This movie was a boring snore fest. Mom character was kooky. The film is a weird pet project art house film for Spielberg. Only NYU film students and those obsessed with Spielberg would enjoy this. Otherwise it’s a weird snore fest
Hard pass, spielberg is so corny.
@@Dan_Yerlll That's my favorite film of his and his last great one imo. Since then he's only been indulging his worst instincts.
@@moondawwg nope, The Fabelmans was literally the opposite of corny. It was nuanced, melancholy, complex. His best in Years.
I’d say disjointed, unlikeable characters, not enough of the sisters