Os Fabelmans

Não é por acaso que um filme tão bonito sobre pessoas e produção cinematográfica é uma confissão autobiográfica do autor das peças mais carinhosas do cinema. O círculo fecha-se, a fragilidade única da icónica forma de filmes de Spielberg + Kaminski + Williams combina com o conteúdo como nunca antes. É para aqui que tudo se tem dirigido. ___ Os Fabelmans é o drama familiar mais complexamente contado que já vi. E mesmo que não ocorra nenhum acontecimento trágico, para mim pessoalmente, o drama familiar mais comovente. É um reviver dos acontecimentos da infância e da juventude nos mais pequenos, mas essenciais detalhes, encarnados numa narrativa cinematográfica suficientemente sensível e cirurgicamente precisa. Um mosaico de fragmentos formando a personalidade de um homem que, através da dor e da alegria, se uniu com a câmara cinematográfica. Essa revelou-lhe o início da sua maior desilusão (familiar) na sua adolescência, e ajudou-o a resolver com graça o seu problema de bullying na escola secundária. O facto de ter deixado a sua marca na história artística e social do mundo com a câmara é outra história. ___ A dimensão cinefílica de Os Fabelmans é um bónus a uma narrativa de valores familiares que sempre constituíram o alfa e o ómega da sua obra. Só aqui ele fez dela uma parte chave da história, e de uma forma mais bonita do que poderíamos ter desejado. A surpresa do elenco no epílogo e a última tomada do filme fascinaram-me. Trouxeram-me de volta para onde eu temia que o cinema contemporâneo nunca mais me trouxesse. Steven forever ❤️ (05/12/2022)

Grand shots of intimate life struggles and little scenes in which the most important things happen. Steven Spielberg has perhaps never built his classic family backdrops so high, illuminated with all manner of imaginary spotlights, and focused his attention solely on them. What's more, Janusz Kamiński's playful camera loves the landscape, architecture, and people so sincerely that The Fabelmans speaks to me in a much more optimistic language than you would expect from the story and some of its twists. (21/02/2023)

Sammy Fabelman loves cinema. Together with his friends and family he makes small amateur films and dreams of becoming a director. But then, through his hobby, he uncovers a nasty secret from his loved ones that makes him rethink everything he's ever known. Steven Spielberg delivers a semi-autobiographical story that is moving, funny and above all believable. And while it's also nostalgic and melancholy, it never feels cloying. An honest and audience-friendly drama from a storyteller who understands his job damn well. (24/11/2022)

The Fabelmans is masterfully shot story of film and family that alternates between moments of extraordinary feeling, in which Spielberg manages to depict big things on an intimate scale, and a slightly banal compilation of familiar motifs and tried-and-true pearls of wisdom. I was moved by the film a few times, particularly the moments involving the magnificent duo of Dano and Williams, and when the boyish enthusiasm of amateur films is presented in such a way that it evokes in viewers the feeling that they are watching something almost miraculous. The Fabelmans portrays the medium of film as a double-edged sword that is capable of both healing and ruthlessly inflicting wounds. The film contains a touch of slight yet aching melancholy that doesn’t come across as mushy; Spielberg is still surehanded in that respect. Despite that, however, there is something banally transitory and too comfortable in all of these nice images, as the anecdotal ending demonstrates. The strongest impression is thus left by the relationship between Sam and his parents, which mirrors the pain and loneliness of Spielberg’s child characters. I feel great respect and mild emotion for this film, but unfortunately also doubt as to whether it will actually leave me with more than a fleeting sense of enchantment. (21/11/2022)

If anyone knows how to tell a story through film, it's Steven Spielberg. His ability to captivate an audience remains unwavering after all these years, making The Fabelmans a pure delight for movie fans. Even though the plot is rather traditional, following the story of a boy — a stand-in for Spielberg himself — who loves films and dreams of making them, it is executed beautifully. The film portrays his family life, high school experiences, and typical issues of a mid-20th-century American family, all brought to life by exceptional performances. Michelle Williams is absolutely fantastic, delivering perhaps her best performance ever. Paul Dano and Seth Rogen also shine in roles that showcase sides of them we've never seen before. Gabriel LaBelle, who carries the film, impressively holds his own, and I genuinely wish him a bright future in acting. Special mention must go to Judd Hirsch and David Lynch, whose brief but memorable appearances steal the show. Their moments are unforgettable, adding unique highlights to the film. It's no surprise that Steven Spielberg, with his masterful storytelling, is behind this film, creating moments that will linger long after the credits roll. (21/02/2023)