by Steven Spielberg

Overview

• nominated for a stack of awards
• based on the young life of Spielberg
• centred on the character of Sammy Fabelman, Spielberg’s alter ego

Visuals

• visuals drive the film over dialogue
• unsurprising as it’s about a filmmaker
• focus on how visuals are manipulated to create powerful cinema
• begins with the opening scene of young Sammy see ‘The Greatest Show of Earth’ by Cecil B deMille
• Sammy wants to recreate the train crash and is encouraged by his mother Mitzi
• the theme of visual effects and the power of cinema returns throughout the film
• about the development of a young film maker

Characters

• individual characters are the cornerstone of the narrative
• particularly Sammy’s mother, Mitzi – played by Michelle Williams – a talented piano player and artistic soul, Sammy’s main encouragement and heartbreak
• father Burt – played by Paul Dano – computer engineer, an influence on Sammy’s discipline and intelligence
• grand-uncle Boris – played by Judd Hirsch
• Bennie – played by Seth Rogen – intelligent use of a roguish, comedy actor for a significant role
• jock character and the confusing power of celebrity

Nostalgia

• filmed and edited in the style of older 8mm analogue film
• golden overlay, coloured intensity, sweeping landscapes
• sense of removal created by deliberate nostalgia of the story – adds to mythic quality

Tone

• unique emotional impact – despite the ups and downs of the film there is always a feeling of positivity
• we are enthralled and engaged as an audience but reassured that things will be ok
• self-referential moments that conclude with a beautiful moment of hope leading into Sammy’s future in film

Theme

• like many Oscar-nominated films (Banshees, Elvis, Tár), the theme is focused on the complex relationship between life and art
• Uncle Boris typifies this in his scene – he and Mitzi and Sammy are artists – life and family will tear you apart
• the idea that Sammy has to go beyond what his family expect of him in order to pursue a deep calling towards artistic creation
• a beautiful representation of the sacrifices required to following your passion

Conclusion

• beautiful, well-told narrative about the art of story-telling, of ‘fable-making’ and Sammy is a ‘fable-man’
• lots of visual and narrative tributes to the work of Spielberg, his legacy and career
• tribute to the power of cinema
• score by John Williams
• check it out, along with the rest of Spielberg’s oeuvre