The Fabelmans Discussion Questions and Review written by the Hobbit. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch The Fabelmans
Series: The Fabelmans
Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion: 15 and up
Running Time: 2 hours 31 minutes
Release Date: November 11th, 2022
Where to Watch: Only in theaters; should be available to buy later this year
Warnings: Death of parent/grandparent; divorce, bullying (the bullying is antisemitic)
Quick Summary of The Fabelmans
The movie is directed by Steven Spielberg and is loosely based on his childhood. It follows Sammy Fabelman from a young age to his early college years, as he learns about movies, comes to love doing so, and learns how art and family interact.
The Fabelmans Review
(Contains Spoilers)
The movie opens with Burt and Mitzi Fabelman taking their young son Sammy to his first movie. It Is The Greatest Show on Earth, and Sammy is fascinated by a scene involving a train wreck. He asks for a model train for Hannukah and restages the wreck. His father is not happy about this, but his mother comes to understand his fascination and helps him film a crash so he can watch it whenever he wants.
We then move forward. Burt has taken a job in Arizona, and there Sammy’s filmmaking blossoms as he works with a Boy Scout troop. As his talent increases, we see more of how movies help him to understand life.
This was obviously a labor of love for Spielberg. The story is well crafted, the cinematography is outstanding, and the movie within a movie is used to great effect. On top of all that, the soundtrack is wonderful. This is perhaps one of the final films John Williams will score before he retires. As Mitzi is a classical pianist, the score generally has a classical feel and incorporates several classical pieces. It also includes clips from a number of films and a few popular pieces from the 60s.
In the latter part of the film the Fabelmans have moved to California, and Sammy is faced with some antisemitic bullying. Movies help him make peace with his biggest antagonist. There are also several veteran actors with outstanding efforts, and the young actors are equally convincing. In my opinion, this is about as close as it gets to must-see cinema.
Continue reading for The Fabelmans Discussion Questions.
Is The Fabelmans Appropriate for Kids?
There is little that is overtly objectionable in The Fabelmans; however, it is not a kid’s movie and covers some serious topics. There is a fair amount of mild language. Also it contrains a plot revolving an affair and some talk of sexual nature. There are also a few scenes with some mild violence, but nothing overly brutal. It is overall appropriate for kids 13 and up, but I think most kids under 15 would be bored.
Favorite The Fabelmans Quotes
Movies are dreams, doll, that you never forget.
Art is no game. Art is as dangerous as a lion’s mouth. It will bite your head off.
I can’t fight with your father. He kills me with such kindness.
My kids mean more to me than anything on this earth.
My life is going by so fast, but it’s not getting anywhere.
The Fabelmans Quotes
The Fabelmans Discussion Questions
(for Adults and teens)
Themes to Discuss: Coming of age, Dealing with family trauma, Parent and child tensions, and the power of film.
1) How old were you when you saw your first movie? What experiences do you associate with watching movies?
2) How do movies help Sammy make sense of his family?
3) Movies can reveal truth or set up falsehoods. How do they function in The Fabelmans?
4) Both Mitzi and Burt have passions in life. Do you have a passion?
5) Just for fun- did you recognize any of the film clips or clips from movie scores?
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