By David Baldwin
Once Sammy Fabelman (Canada’s own Gabriel LaBelle) watched The Greatest Show on Earth, his life was changed forever. He was going to become a filmmaker and spent every moment he could afterwards filming his own movies, actively employing neighbourhood kids and his own sisters to act and assist with special effects. While his Mother (played by Michelle Williams) encouraged Sammy’s behaviour, his Father saw it as more of a hobby. And with the family consistently on the move due to his Father’s jobs, it is going to become increasingly difficult for Sammy to maintain his love for film.
If you have not heard already, THE FABELMANS is the semiautobiographical new film from legendary Co-Writer/Director Steven Spielberg. That alone brings more than the typical enormous attaché case of expectation and speculation that surround each new film from the Oscar-winner. I was initially worried about both of those elements overpowering the beautiful narrative. Except this is Spielberg we are talking about. And you should never bet against Spielberg.
Why?
Well, because he tends to knock each of his projects clear out of the park. THE FABELMANS is no different and it may just be the best work he has delivered in over a decade. All of the faces in front and behind the camera are firing on all cylinders, effectively toying the line between wonder, sadness and joy. The script is heartfelt and wonderful. Supporting turns from the likes of Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch and David Lynch – whose scene here is an immediate all-timer – are terrific and the work from Dano and Williams is spectacular. Williams gets to do much of the emotional heavy lifting and never misses a beat. The true revelation is the young LaBelle however. He is absolutely perfect as Sammy, embodying the anxiety, angst and indecision his character feels perfectly. The wonder in his eyes and his overactive imagination are captured splendidly, and the way he holds his own against the rest of the cast is a thing of beauty.
All of that said, THE FABELMANS is at its best when we are watching the family spend time together and when we watch Sammy and his friends film and screen their short films in front of large audiences. The sheer level of care put into every frame is staggering, and the production design, cinematography and exquisite John Williams score are just magnificent additions that really make the film soar. There is no other real way to describe them, nor the beautiful filmmaking scenes that play on your memories and nostalgia. It meant a lot to me to see scenes like that projected on screen. Can only imagine how younger people having their own Greatest Show on Earth moment will feel watching this masterpiece unfold.
THE FABELMANS screens as follows at TIFF ’22:
Sat, Sep 10 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 9:15pm
Sun, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Roy Thomson Hall 11:30am
Wed, Sep 14 IN-PERSON Roy Thomson Hall 9:00pm
Fri, Sep 16 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 5:30pm
Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 11:00am
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com