He shaped blockbuster cinema with ‘Indiana Jones’, ‘Jaws’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and many other blockbusters. With ‘ET’ he created childhood memories. And he brought history to life, for example with the classic war film ‘Saving Private Ryan’. With his latest work, director Steven Spielberg revealed the family history that made him who he is.
As expected, “The Fablemans” was nominated for numerous prestigious awards and received critical acclaim from the film press. But Spielberg’s usual audience success failed to materialize – so chances are you’ll have to catch up on the drama as well. However, this is now incredibly simple: From today, November 4, 2023, ‘The Fabelmans’ can be listened to on the Sky streaming service WOW.
In addition, the drama, nominated for several Oscars, can of course also be seen regularly Blu Ray*,DVD* and available as VOD, for example via Prime Video*.
“The Fabelmans”: A master director takes a deep look into his soul
Don’t let the names fool you: The titular family in “The Fabelmans” is a somewhat fictionalized take on the Spielbergs, and the drama serves as the filmmaker’s processing of his own childhood and youth. His fictional counterpart is the curious Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), who has been obsessed with the medium of film since his first visit to the cinema.
His parents Burt (Paul Dano) and Mitzi (Michelle Williams) have different opinions about this enthusiasm, but Sammy doesn’t let it stop him: he and his sisters are constantly making films that grow from a small pastime into larger and larger enterprises. this involves growing into a complete scout group. But with the help of his camera lens, Sammy also becomes aware of serious problems within the family…
The love for cinema on the one hand, a bittersweet relationship with his parents on the other: With “The Fabelmans” Spielberg gives a glimpse deep into his soul and his complicated emotional world. Because of this honesty, the Hollywood icon’s autobiographical drama was chosen seven Oscar nominations also in the categories “Best Film” and “Best Director”.
The film press was also enormously impressed by ‘De Fabelmans’, 92 percent said The collected reviews were positive – and editor Michael Bendix’s FILMSTARTS review gave it an excellent 4.5 stars. There the film “deeply honest dealing with pain“described.
But apparently “The Fablemans” was too honest for some people: While Spielberg usually appeals to paying audiences, even with heavier material, his last directorial effort failed at the box office. In Germany, for example, just under 155,000 tickets were sold, meaning that ‘The Fabelmans’ was overtaken by, among others, the DC sequel ‘Shazam 2’, which was seen as an economic disappointment.
And to leave the cold numbers behind us and, in accordance with the film, move on to anecdotal, big feelings: the author of these lines has never experienced a negative minority in a Spielberg film responded negatively! Usually, the negative voices on Spielberg’s directorial works are muted. But with “The Fabelmans,” some people had an almost allergic reaction to Michelle Williams’ sweet, tragic sentimentality, wide-eyed eccentric performance and solemn emotions.
That a Spielberg drama is so divisive comes as a surprise, but at the same time gives ‘The Fabelmans’ an exciting element – Who would have thought that a prestigious family story would also become some kind of cinematic test of courage? But the prospect of being part of the minority sighing in shock or writhing in pain should not deter you from catching up with The Fabelmans.
Because anyone interested in movies should at least watch it psychological self-analysis of the inventor of the modern Hollywood blockbuster dare – to understand him better, or to then take more interest in his other work.