The Fabelmans is a one hit wonder in that you should only ever watch it once if at all. This effective biopic of Steven Spielberg's life is interesting if you want to learn about how he grew up. If on the other hand you are looking for a compelling movie to recommend to others, look elsewhere.

Spielberg's life story is unfortunately depressing in that his father was a brilliant computer engineer while his mother was a selfish childish "artist" who made a mess of it. Even though he tries to make her actions a matter of the heart you literally have no sympathy for his mother and I don't understand Steven choosing to protect his mother over his father who was a decent man.

I always appreciated Spielberg's ability to film everything with a newness and brightness that makes it memorable. The effort just feels wasted here on his life story. As much as he tried to make things that happened to him memorable moments they all just came off as rather ordinary and unimpressive.

At least I now know and appreciate what made the neighborhood in E. T. so believable because he too grew up in the suburbs. His complete understanding of middle class life allowed him to reach the largest audience in the United States and give them the entertainment they were craving with his films.

The heavy handed religious and political overtones worsened the movie for me and learning how childishly he behaved in college was appalling. Why can't he live at college? "He voted for Goldwater!" Who refuses to stay in a dorm room because of their roommate's political beliefs?

Steven, please grow up.