The Fabelmans

For film fanatics and aspiring filmmakers, Spielberg sharing the pivotal moments of his life through his eyes will likely be spellbinding. And for Jewish families, seeing Jewish culture and experiences positively expressed on the big screen promises to be fulfilling. But standard-issue teens who are just looking for a good watch may not find it in The Fabelmans.

In addition to telling his own story, Spielberg is laying out a primer for film students by making his directorial decisions quite obvious, such as showing when to pan or dolly, when to shoot from above or below, and how to introduce foreshadowing. For those taking notes, it's a gift. For those looking to get lost in the story, it can be challenging at times. The patter of the dialogue and the choreography can feel overly orchestrated, more like the beats of a play with actors precisely hitting their mark or ramping up an argument with deliberate, well-rehearsed effort. Additionally, covering someone's life from childhood through getting that first job takes some time. And Spielberg takes that time. Once the film is past the two-hour mark and Sammy's dad (Dano) says "We've gone too far in our story to actually say 'the end,'" some viewers may groan in acknowledgment that the film still has a ways to go. Still, Spielberg's autobiopic is inpirational, whispering in the ears of young viewers: "Stick to your guns, kid, and you'll go far."