Without question, The Fabelmans is Steven Spielberg at his most personal – and the result is unsurprisingly glorious. The movie is 3 parts ode to filmmaking, 2 parts family drama, and 1 part coming-of-age romp. Ok, so there is a fair amount of self-indulgence sprinkled into the mix. But hey, it’s Spielberg, and if there’s anybody who has earned the right to give their legacy some nods in a film, it’s him. And while the direction and craftsmanship are naturally A-grade, our legendary director is aided by one heck of an ensemble cast. Michelle Williams alone puts on an acting clinic, completely stealing every scene she is in with her spirited (and at times, pained) performance. Paul Dano, as the conflicted brainy patriarch trying to keep it all together, is right up there with her. The Ying/Yang dynamic between these characters is masterfully played with, as each brings new depth to the other’s internal conflicts. Of course, our lead character, Sammy, is also skillfully navigated by the two actors who portray him (Mateo Zoryon as young Sammy and Gabriel LaBelle as teen Sammy). But, as impactful as literally everyone is here (yes, even Seth Rogen), perhaps the most important “character” in the film is Spielberg’s camera itself. You see, the whole thing could have easily come across as one big TV-like episode of The Wonder Years. Luckily, our director takes every scene, interaction, and moment, no matter how mundane or actionless, and transforms it into something splendidly cinematic. In short, it’s always interesting to look at. So, for the love of cinema, and all that it has to offer, you should probably go take a look at The Fabelmans for yourself!