Steven Spielberg's personal coming-of-age story is an ode to cinema and the great filmmakers that have come before. Loosely inspired by his life and the relationship to his parents, it's the sweet tale of a boy who falls in love with the movies and longs to make his own films (not unlike Cinema Paradiso).
What I found fascinating is how detached the character was while viewing life through a lens. I suppose that's a way of dealing with the heavy things in his life, but I didn't find Sam to be the warmest character, which is kind of ironic since critics tend to peg Spielberg as a shameless sentimentalist. If anything, I found this film to be remarkably restrained at times, which works to its credit. Even though it's semi-autobiographical, you get the sense that the subject matter is still being treated somewhat at a distance. It occurred to me that this film might be acting as a catharsis for someone recounting their past traumas. Regardless, it's a lovingly constructed tribute by a filmmaker who has earned his dues and remains at the top of his craft, and it shows all the way through.
4 perfect revenges against the childhood bully out of 5
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