Steven Spielberg is firmly in Oscar contention for what is his most personal film yet. In the 1950’s, Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) lives with his parents and three sisters. As a kid, he starts to make movies using a rudimentary camera and it becomes his passion. As his family move from New Jersey, to Phoenix and finally to California when his Dad gets better jobs, Sammy discovers a secret that will eventually pull the family apart.
Loosely autobiographical, it is clear to see how Spielberg was so keen to get this film made. It is though, one I admired for its craft rather than felt any emotional connection with, despite John Williams’ overbearing score desperately trying to make me feel more.
LaBelle does a pretty good job and Paul Dano is outstanding as his father, Burt, encouraging and sceptical of Sam’s talents in equal measure. Seth Rogan also fares well as Burt’s best friend. I am afraid though, I found Oscar nominated Michelle Williams’ turn as his emotionally unstable mum quite tiresome and his parents’ issues a little unengaging as a result. More interesting is the anti-semitism that Sam encounters for the first time in California which gives the movie a bit more edge.
The film ends just as Sam is about to get his first break on TV and features an enjoyable meeting with the great John Ford, played with relish by David Lynch. I would have liked to have seen more about what happened after that, though it does enable a terrific closing shot.
Rating: 7 out of 10