I wanted to like this more than I did. There's no question it was very good. But it didn't strike me as one of Spielberg's best. In many ways, I felt that it might only be of interest to serious fans like me. I remember reading in the early 70's about this wunderkind director who was making a name for himself. I've followed him closely for almost 50 years and have loved much of what he's done. So I was excited to see his whole story put on film. But for some reason I didn't feel fully into it.

The cast is wonderful, particularly Michelle Williams. Hopefully she'll get an Oscar nod for this. Spielberg's relationship with his mother obviously had a strong effect on him.

There is something different in Spielberg's last couple movies - this and West side Story. Both seemed to be very stagey, almost like watching a theatrical play. It's an interesting style he's developed as he's gotten older.