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@augustkellerwrites
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The Fabelmans juggles vulnerability and safety. Themes about family tension, artist alienation, and prejudice have heart and spirit. However, these conflicts sometimes feel unearned and simplified. Instead of fleshing out the darker roots and daily struggles, The Fabelmans focuses on major plot beats which feels occasionally melodramatic. Still, there's weighty dialogue, synergistic parallels, and a classic story structure. Plus, many supporting characters are dynamic (contrasting the plain protagonist). This allows for acting layers, range, chemistry, pain, outbursts, commitment, and shifts. Overall, The Fabelmans reaches for sincere ideas but its lack of grit is an impediment.
Technically, The Fabelmans is polished. Its cinematography uses many signature Spielberg moves, such as active camerawork, dramatic lighting, framing, composition, focus, and color. The editing energizes emotions with flashbacks, inserts, intercuts, montages, fades, match cuts, and careful pacing. Its sound is rich, utilizing diegetic inserts, symbolic exaggeration, smash cuts, split cuts, distortions, silence, echoes, and meaningful ambiance. The music adds era-specific songs, trans-diegetic piano, and grand scoring. Meanwhile, there's detailed production design, a recognizable cast, and varied effects. Ultimately, The Fabelmans has skillful craft but slightly sanitized relatability.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 9/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 8.4/10
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