I gave the movie a six star review . . .despite . . . Some great drama and acting by all of the main characters, the first hour is ho hum and the dialogue is not well written; it just doesn't engage you. It is only after 'Sam' is portrayed as a teenager that you get some real dramatic tension. With that said the movie is not well woven together, it does not follow a coherent narrative arc, IE why is this scene, dialogue , character even in the movie ?Some of the acting is strained and predictable at best and at other times just plain awkward. The truly good parts of the movie is where there is no dialogue and and the story and emotion is conveyed visually. Bottom line, an auto biography that is easily an hour too long and so much should have been edited . . . Out. I liked the movie, am glad I saw it but no Oscars for this one and certainly not up to Spielberg's best work , too predictable , and hackneyed.