The movie starts with an amazing opening scene about a boy being inspired to make movies. Next is two hours and 15 minutes of everyday life that feels familiar and uninteresting. The movie bookends with a wonderful encounter between Spielberg and one of his hero's, but the film just lacks the flare that makes a movie great. There was no shark in the water or soldier to save. The movie was well-acted and I'm sure many of its characters (whom I walked out of the theater only remembering the name Sam) will receive Academy award nominations. Spielberg will get a best director nomination, and probably a Best Original Screenplay one too because the Academy loves Spielberg.

If you want a good Spielberg movie, don't watch The Fablemans and instead watch some of his older work.