Spielberg calls his latest film, The Fablemans, “40 million dollars worth of therapy.”

Characters like Indiana Jones and E.T have become synonymous with the feelings of family and nostalgia, influencing the imaginations of millions who would eventually grow up to make stories of their own. Four time academy award winner, Steven Spielberg, returns to the big screen once again; only this time, he turns the lens on himself.  In a recent interview with NPR, he defined his latest film, The Fablemans, as, “40 million dollars worth of therapy.” 

In this semi autobiographical piece, we follow the story of Spielberg’s alter ego, Sammy Fableman, who falls deeply in love with cinema after his parents take him to watch the 1952 film, The Greatest Show on Earth. Spielberg draws direct inspiration from his own upbringing, recreating moments from his early life; walking us through family tensions and his parents eventual divorce. This is the story behind every blockbuster film we have fallen in love with ourselves, just like Spielberg once did with The Greatest Show on Earth. Those of us who were raised in front of a television grew up with movies such as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T The Extraterrestrial. The audience is likely to identify with Sammy Fableman, as we were inspired just as he once was; only we were influenced by the movies that, “Sammy,” would go on to make.

The Fablemans marks Steven Spielberg's thirty second film, and has received five nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards, including awards for best motion picture and best director. The movie presents a lively cast of Hollywood favorites, with Gabriel Labelle playing Sammy Fableman, Michelle Williams playing Sammy’s mother, Paul Dano playing his father, and a special appearance by one of the finest directors to graze the big screen: David Lynch, playing another Hollywood legend: the immortal John Ford. Not only does the film feature a star studded cast, but it features a score written by one of Hollywood’s heavy hitters and long time creative partner of Spielberg’s: John Williams. The Fablemans is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, YouTube, VUDU, Xfinity, and Amazon Prime; as well as being available in theaters near you. 

Work Cited

Gross, Terry. “Steven Spielberg Was a Fearful Kid Who Found Solace in Storytelling.” NPR, NPR, 9 Nov. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/11/09/1134314093/steven-spielberg-fabelmans