The Fabelmans is loosely based Steven Spielberg's childhood growing up in Ohio, Arizona, and California in the 1950s and 60s. It's a love letter to cinema, a heartfelt tribute to his parents and family, and is a story of growing up, maturing, and following your dreams; in that sense it's very Spielberg. It's a deeply personal journey we're taken on by the man himself, in effect showing us his own origin story (or 'fable') with no doubt some dramatic embellishments. It is sometimes just a tad sugary and perhaps a rose tinted view of youth, but who would deny him a bit of nostalgia? I'd say this is one of Speilberg's best films, and though perhaps not up to the absolute classics, if like myself you are a lifelong cinema lover, then The Fabelmans should resonate strongly.

All round, it's a wonderful film and tremendously well cast, especially the parents, and newcomer Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy Fabelman, and there are many great supporting performances too. Written and directed sensitively, the film is packed with the sort of memorable moments you expect from Mr S, though it is of course essentially a small scale family drama, so it might not satisfy some who want thrills or less intimacy etc. I left the cinema with a spring in my step and on an emotional high, and knew I'd seen something special.