Synopsis

Loosely based on Spielberg’s childhood growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, from age seven to eighteen, a young man named Sammy Fabelman discovers a shattering family secret, and explores how the power of movies help us see the truth about each other and ourselves.

Critics Views

“It’s Spielberg’s most personal film, one that gorgeously revives the memories of his childhood and youth with a lavish sense of wistfulness and an aptly Hollywood-ized, fable-like touch.”
The Playlist

“Semi-autobiographical and dedicated to his late mom and dad, the film is a potent memory piece guided by remarkable performances from Michelle Williams and Paul Dano, who are asked to walk a delicate tonal tightrope, delivering a portrait of an imperfect marriage that’s heartbreaking in its tenderness.”
Screen Daily

“The film is a gem — twinkling with innocence but inset with the hard rock of experience.”
Sunday Times

ACADEMY AWARDS
[Nominee]
Best Achievement in Directing (Steven Spielberg)
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – John Williams
Best Motion Picture of the Year (Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner (producer)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Williams)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Judd Hirsch)
Best Original Screenplay (Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner)
Best Achievement in Production Design (Rick Carter, Karen O’Hara)

BAFTA
[Nominee]
Best Original Screenplay (Tony Kushner, Steven Spielberg)

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 84%  Audience 76%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 92%   Audience Liked It 83%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 87%

Audience Comments

I loved it. Nuanced and wise on film making, psychology and human relationships. And funny!
Beautiful film, Spielberg has this ability to keep you gripped whatever the subject
A story of many loves by a consummate master. Wonderful.
Loved it – all 2hrs 40 minutes of it. A love letter to cinema and and interesting family drama thrown in for good measure. Well directed and very skillfully acted by all involved. Why no Oscar wins out of all the nominations received?
The sound didn’t seem very sharp.
Entertaining, but probably won’t make a lasting impression.
Very well told all subjects are told without biases
A little self-indulgent, and feels as though it might have airbrushed much of the real-life source. Generally enjoyable, though, and I loved the pan upwards at the end to put the horizon at the bottom of the screen!
Missed some of the dialogue.
Well acted, perhaps slightly too long
Throughly enjoyed this, unexpected delight
Would like to say very good indeed. Excellent if slightly more edit undertaken