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The Fabelmans

"Capture every moment."

2022-11-11 Drama 2hr 31m

Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.

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The Fabelmans
Starz Apple TV Channel

Watch on Starz Apple TV Channel

Storyline

Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.

  • Released
    2022-11-11
  • Revenue
    $45,629,909
  • Budget
    $40,000,000
  • Runtime
    2hr 31m
  • Genre
    Drama
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English, Português
  • imdb-logo
    7.5
  • Production
    Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment

Crew

Steven Spielberg
Director
Tony Kushner
Writer
Tony Kushner
Producer
Keywords:
high school husband wife relationship arizona bullying family relationships coming of age anti-semitism teenage boy filmmaking childhood semi autobiographical marital problem big dreams father son relationship mother son relationship introspective admiring adoring comforting compassionate empathetic powerful sympathetic

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Cast

Gabriel LaBelle

Gabriel LaBelle
Sammy Fabelman
Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams
Mitzi Fabelman
Paul Dano

Paul Dano
Burt Fabelman
Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen
Benny Loewy
Judd Hirsch

Judd Hirsch
Uncle Boris Podgorny
David Lynch

David Lynch
John Ford
Jeannie Berlin

Jeannie Berlin
Hadassah Fabelman
Julia Butters

Julia Butters
Reggie Fabelman
Keeley Karsten

Keeley Karsten
Natalie Fabelman
Sam Rechner

Sam Rechner
Logan Hall
Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord

Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord
Younger Sammy Fabelman
Chloe East

Chloe East
Monica Sherwood
Isabelle Kusman

Isabelle Kusman
Claudia Denning
Robin Bartlett

Robin Bartlett
Tina Schildkraut
Oakes Fegley

Oakes Fegley
Chad Thomas
Sophia Kopera

Sophia Kopera
Lisa Fabelman
Birdie Borria

Birdie Borria
Younger Reggie Fabelman
Alina Brace

Alina Brace
Young Natalie Fabelman
Chandler Lovelle

Chandler Lovelle
Renee
Gustavo Escobar

Gustavo Escobar
Sal
Nicolas Cantu

Nicolas Cantu
Hark
Cooper Dodson

Cooper Dodson
Turkey
Gabriel Bateman

Gabriel Bateman
Roger
Stephen Matthew Smith

Stephen Matthew Smith
Angelo
Lane Factor

Lane Factor
Dean
James Urbaniak

James Urbaniak
Grand View High School Principal
Alex Quijano

Alex Quijano
Grand View High School PE Coach
Kalama Epstein

Kalama Epstein
Barry
Connor Trinneer

Connor Trinneer
Phil Newhart
Greg Grunberg

Greg Grunberg
Bernie Fein
Jan Hoag

Jan Hoag
Nona
Carlos Javier Castillo

Carlos Javier Castillo
Camera Store Clerk
Ezra Buzzington

Ezra Buzzington
Camera Store Clerk #2
Paul Chepikian

Paul Chepikian
Pinnacle Peak Owner
Brinly Marum

Brinly Marum
Janet Benedict
Mason Bumba

Mason Bumba
Stunt Soldier Boy
Mary M. Flynn

Mary M. Flynn
Singer #1
Adriel Porter

Adriel Porter
Singer #2
Tia Nalls

Tia Nalls
Singer #3
Larkin Campbell

Larkin Campbell
Scout Father
Harper Dustin

Harper Dustin
Natalie Photo Double
Crystal the Monkey

Crystal the Monkey
Bennie the Monkey
Art Bonilla

Art Bonilla
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Meredith VanCuyk

Meredith VanCuyk
Student (uncredited)
Vera Myers

Vera Myers
Senior Classmate (uncredited)
Cody Mitchell

Cody Mitchell
Boy Scout (uncredited)
Caroline Anna-Kaye Green

Caroline Anna-Kaye Green
Senior Classmate (uncredited)
Rob Shiells

Rob Shiells
Chad's Posse (uncredited)
Julyah Rose

Julyah Rose
Theater Goer (uncredited)
Jonathan Moorwood

Jonathan Moorwood
Chad's Posse (uncredited)
Ari Davis

Ari Davis
Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Jared Becker

Jared Becker
Lead Guitarist (uncredited)
Kendal Evans

Kendal Evans
Balloon Girl (uncredited)
Trang Vo

Trang Vo
High School Friend (uncredited)
Alejandro Fuenzalida

Alejandro Fuenzalida
Boy Scout (uncredited)
Orion Hunter

Orion Hunter
Boy Scout (uncredited)
Samantha Rose Gomez

Samantha Rose Gomez
Boy Scout Sibling (uncredited)
Taylor Stone

Taylor Stone
Senior Classmate (uncredited)
Sarah Hamilton

Sarah Hamilton
Senior Classmate (uncredited)
Paige Locke

Paige Locke
Cheerleader (uncredited)
Marissa McBride

Marissa McBride
Senior Classmate (uncredited)
Malachi Mickelonis

Malachi Mickelonis
Student (uncredited)
Max David Weinberg

Max David Weinberg
Student (uncredited)
Cameron Hennings

Cameron Hennings
Student (uncredited)
Nicole Alicia Xavier

Nicole Alicia Xavier
Sammy’s Classmate (uncredited)

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Movie Reviews

Reviews for The Fabelmans
reviewer avatar

A Review by narrator56 6

Written by narrator56 on 2023-01-06

I saw several negative reviews before I watched this, and I assumed there was an element of grading someone a bit more harshly when they hav... read more

I saw several negative reviews before I watched this, and I assumed there was an element of grading someone a bit more harshly when they have achieved wild success or, heaven forbid, if they do stellar work in one genre such as sci-fi or adventure and then have the chutzpah to create a film in a different genre not appreciated by the sci-fi etc. fans. Maybe there was some of that baggage involved; how else to explain one-star reviews. Really? A disgusting gross-out comedy might get 4 stars, but a serious biopic gets one? But I have given it six stars, probably my low for a Spielberg movie. I thought the film was too episodic. Here is where he saw his first movie; here is him with his first camera; here is where he learns something upsetting about his parents’ marriage; here is some bullying and then that part in every coming of age movie it seems, where a pretty girl throws herself at him. Sure wish that had happened to me at that tender age. And some of the scenes felt rather cliched to me. Also, and this is a bit of a spoiler, at one point his mother assures him she has not done ”that” with Bennie, and she loves her children and husband more than anything, but she still can’t live without Bennie? I had trouble with that revelation. But it isn’t all negative stuff. I thought a lot of the acting was strong, with a few exceptions, and most of the dialogue was good, but when a film is 2 and a half hours long, consistency is hard to come by, and there were a few hiccups here and there. The scene with John Ford was intriguing, but they could have done a bit more with it. I liked the two sisters as characters, but again, not enough depth was given to them. A bit of a lost opportunity.

reviewer avatar

A Review by tensharpe 8

Written by tensharpe on 2023-02-03

“The Fabelmans” is a movie loosely based on the true story of Steven Spielberg’s own childhood. Produced after the death of his mother Leah ... read more

“The Fabelmans” is a movie loosely based on the true story of Steven Spielberg’s own childhood. Produced after the death of his mother Leah Adler and using the fictional family name of the Fabelmans the movie focuses primarily on the iconic film makers family and the impact his parents divorce had on his young life.  “The Fabelmans” is rich in  exposing the influences behind classic movies like E.T. ( Set in a broken home ) and some early techniques at effects the film maker used to better his home movies.  “The Fabelmans” starts in the 1950’s with Sammy Fabelman experiencing for the first time the magic of cinema with his parents. Slightly traumatised by the movie, particularly a train crash scene, it’s from this emotional experience the first glimpses of becoming a film maker appear. Who of us that have delved into the arts ( film making, actors , singers , performers , etc ) didn’t start off creating these types of home made replicas?  The idyllic family set up, with the ever growing confident and more adept young home movie maker,  becomes derailed when after editing his 8mm footage of a family camping trip he discovers all was not as he remembered.  The impact of what Sam discovers about his concert pianist mother and that fateful trip results in the eventual breakdown of his parents.  As the movie moves into the early 1960’s and Spielberg’s high school years “The Fabelmans”touches on religion, race issues and first love. Due to the impact of that fateful camping holiday and therefore following a hiatus of not wanting to make any further home movies, Sam is persuaded by his girlfriend to film the end of school year beach party get together.  The impact of Sam’s return to film making is clearly visible after the graduation film he produced is shown at the school prom to great acclaim.   “The Fabelmans” is well documented as being a love letter to cinema but equally it is Spielberg’s love letter to his family. This is the movies key fact, the acceptance of multiple things happening all at once. Vocation is driven by both fear and talent, loving relationships break down, and movies that appear simplistic are highly sophisticated. With an extremely satisfying ending “ The Fabelmans” is a beautifully crafted work of art and remarkable insight into one of the most famous and influential directors Hollywood has ever produced

reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2023-02-09

Gabriel LaBelle is great in this generally entertaining and interesting tale of a young lad ("Sammy") growing up in post-war America who has... read more

Gabriel LaBelle is great in this generally entertaining and interesting tale of a young lad ("Sammy") growing up in post-war America who has a penchant (and eye) for film making. Growing up in an happy environment with mother "Mitzi" (Michelle Williams), father "Burt" (Paul Dano) and sister "Natalie" (Keeley Karsten) they all rub along amiably enough. His father is a developer in the computer industry, and together with their best family friend "Bennie" (Seth Rogan) relocate to a better opportunity in Arizona. It's after a family camping trip - and the death of his grandmother - that the young "Sammy" is asked to make a short movie from the film he shot whilst they were all messing about in the wilderness. His attention to the detail of his photography gradually reveals something that upsets him, and threatens the very equilibrium of their erstwhile happy family. What now ensues demonstrates how, gradually, all come to terms with his discovery and he determines just where his future career lies. I am not really a fan of Williams - I find her sterile most of the time; but here she is on really good form. The character of "Mitzi" is probably the most interesting, certainly the most conflicted - and she delivers it well. There are two lovely little, inspirational in differing ways, cameos from Judd Hirsch and from David Lynch at the end of this film that has a distinct lusciousness to it. Like the performances, the photography and the soundtrack are natural and engaging and could easily convince any of us that a career in film making is possible - indeed, straightforward! I don't know the extent to which it is autobiographical of Steven Spielberg's life, but to be honest I didn't really care. This is just a fine film to watch.

reviewer avatar

A Review by badelf 6

Written by badelf on 2023-02-16

The film is eminently watchable. The acting and directing are, of course, excellent. The script, however, meanders aimlessly like Moses in t... read more

The film is eminently watchable. The acting and directing are, of course, excellent. The script, however, meanders aimlessly like Moses in the desert. Where's the point? What are the important take-aways? These questions and more are not answered. For such a long film, the character development of the supporting roles was wholly absent. In my movie list of Directors About Themselves (https://boxd.it/iEWZO), this is weakest of the whole bunch.

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by Peter McGinn

I saw several negative reviews before I watched this, and I assumed there was an element of grading someone a bit more harshly when they have achieved wild success or, heaven forbid, if they do stellar work in one genre such as sci-fi or ad...

reviewer avatar

A Review by narrator56 6

Written by narrator56 on 2023-01-06

I saw several negative reviews before I watched this, and I assumed there was an element of grading someone a bit more harshly when they have achieved wild success or, heaven forbid, if they do stella...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by tensharpe 8

Written by tensharpe on 2023-02-03

“The Fabelmans” is a movie loosely based on the true story of Steven Spielberg’s own childhood. Produced after the death of his mother Leah Adler and using the fictional family name of the Fabelmans t...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2023-02-09

Gabriel LaBelle is great in this generally entertaining and interesting tale of a young lad ("Sammy") growing up in post-war America who has a penchant (and eye) for film making. Growing up in an happ...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by badelf 6

Written by badelf on 2023-02-16

The film is eminently watchable. The acting and directing are, of course, excellent. The script, however, meanders aimlessly like Moses in the desert. Where's the point? What are the important take-aw...

read more