Mark Kermode reviews The Fabelmans - Kermode and Mayo’s Take

#MarkKermode #SimonMayo #filmreviews

*** Please note - clip removed at request of Universal Pictures***

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.

[uconnapharm]

David Lynch as John Ford is alone worth the price of admission - he nailed it imo

[atroyz]

I really enjoyed the film but I can understand why it’s not a box office smash. I also, in my 40+ years, have never heard the title of E.T. refer to the initials of the boy. I was simply convinced it stood for extra terrestrial. But, to my surprise, I looked up the full character names from the script, and indeed the full name is “Elliott Taylor”. I can’t recall ever hearing that in the film but kudos to Mark for pointing it out.

[AndrewThewlisStrachan]

The scene where he's editing the camping footage! OMG!

Its much much better than Mark describes it. There are so many strong moments that evolve so different than one would expect. And it feels very real this way. It is a true masterpiece.

[briansmith]

I watched the full film version of DUEL on tcm last night. He is a great storyteller

[Cinephileofmany]

On the whole I kind of loved it. Not sure box office is related to the quality. It’s so nicely crafted it was just a pleasure to watch.

[lostintechnicolor]

Spielberg feels like an uncle to me, since I was born in the early eighties, and his films are some of the biggest and brightest memories of my childhood. I still love Spielberg, but I haven’t loved one of his films in years. Since the mid 00s, for me anyway, his films have been consistently somewhere between “eh…” and “pretty good”. None of them resonated with me. But The Fabelmans really hit me in the heart. It feels nice to love a Spielberg film again.

[patrickweller]

Love love loved this film. Finally a good film from Spielberg in years.

[chrisparkes]

If anyone in the comments section thinks that one of cinema’s most talented directors is worried about awards at this stage of his career, please head towards the nearest bin.

[ohaimark]

My friends and I, very spontaneously, went to watch this film today. I had never even heard about this film at all, we just saw the closest movie to our time and went for it. It was also apparently it's opening day too

It was genuinely so surprising. Didn't even know it was from Spielberg until I bought my ticket. And knowing about his early life, seeing him retell it like this was really something. Absolutely loved it and so glad I watched it blind, Spielberg has done it again. This hit really close to my own life too. The child actors were also surprisingly so good and everything felt like I was actually watching an 80s film set in the 60s. Incredibly immersive and symbolic

8.8/10

[DisneyFan-egoz]

Hello David here from Sebring Florida USA 🇺🇸 I been a movie buff for over fifty years and I loved the film! I also owned Movie Memories poster shop in Palo Alto California for over 25 years, So movies are my life!
The movie is a love letter for the love of movies! I made very short movies like he did in high school and know other young people who did the same thing. Not all movies can be blockbusters, but for the young people who made movies in school and on their own it is important to see. See you at the movies 🍿

[finalfrontier]

Beautiful movie. It's audience will not be as wide as his biggest hits but this is a wonderful journey on the power of art to profoundly affect people, and what it is that makes people truly happy

[Kevon]

I have to agree with Mark here, he sums my feelings up pretty well. The Fablemans is definitely a good movie, with some bits of greatness (the recreations of Spielberg's adolescent films are an absolute delight) but there was quite a bit holding it back from being a great film. I wanted to like it more than I did, it just didn't pack an emotional punch (the parents' relationship isn't very fraught besides a scene or two) or hit a sort of higher artistic resonance.
As far as I know his next film is a remake of Bullitt, which I hope is an absolute smash - the world deserves another stellar Spielberg crowd pleaser.

[bigollytg]

The easiest 5 stars I've given in a while. I loved this film. Every performance is world class. The visual storytelling is peak spielberg. It covers so much ground and feels like a true journey of reflection.
Every scene is crafted with strong theme and intention. It's truly compelling and heartfelt. It recontextualizes Spielbergs entire filmography in a way to leads you belive it has always been leading up to this love letter to his family and film making.
So many great choices in performance and showing not telling. I utterly adored this film.

[benb]

Review is on point. Yet, the editing of the camping scene alongside the mother at the piano is brilliant. Surprised at the critic love—but Spielberg is so beloved. Also, (complimentary), Williams nails the Garland acting style from the early 1960s.

[HooverTuber]

Sure wish we could see the clips in these reviews, but no worries just popped over watched the latest trailer. It drips Spielberg in terms of look, camera, sounds, score etc. What’s not to love?

[scsdrg]

Really enjoyed this movie, its not a banger but its a really good watch and the final scene is great, even better when I learnt who the actor was

[DotcolourNorwich]

The editing of the camping footage scene is great cinema, my only problem with it was no matter what Seth Rogan is in, that laugh will make you think of his pot induced comedies

[PopcornPodcastWithLeighAndTim]

A really great take on this film! Agree with Mark here! - Tim

[countgeekula]

Yep, sums up my feelings about it pretty well. Liked it a lot but didn't love it... except for that final scene and final shot which is perfection.