Steven Spielberg’s 130-minute “The Fabelmans” test-screened last night in a Nanuet, New York multiplex.
All reactions I’ve gathered have been mostly positive. Michelle Williams being cited as a Best Supporting Actress nominee seems to be a thing among those who attended. Ditto Judd Hirsch in the Supporting Actor category, he has around 10 minutes of screen time, but it’s said to be a “very powerful” role.
The film is an immensely personal, very Jewish-centric, statement from Spielberg about his love for cinema. The film also tackles the anti-semitism he had to face in school. It’s not just kid Spielberg being shown here, but also his mother who ended up manic depressive due to his grandmother dying.
There’s also some interesting commentary on Jewish filmmakers in Hollywood and how non-Jews are portrayed in films. Some have pointed out that, at times, the film drags with Spielberg twee, but that the immensely personal vibe of the film overcomes it.
“The Fabelmans” will have Spielberg recounting his childhood in Arizona, including his sneaking into studio lots to meet his idols (David Lynch will be playing an eye-patched John Ford). Michelle Williams and Paul Dano will be playing Spielberg’s parents. Seth Rogan will play the uncle.
More to come …