Movies - TV
The Oscars Aren’t Where Spielberg’s The Fabelmans Needed
To Win
By JOSHUA MEYER
Due to the pandemic and possible shift in cinematic interests, moviegoers in the 2020s seem less inclined to see Spielberg’s films, including his semi-autobiographical movie, “The Fabelmans.” With the film receiving zero trophies at the 95th Academy Awards, some have been left asking: “What does Steven Spielberg have to do to win another Oscar?”
Spielberg’s real loss, however, may have been at the box office, which suggests general audiences weren’t interested in “The Fabelmans” or his 2021 remake of “West Side Story.” For the latter, the director brought the magic of Broadway to the big screen with fresh talents like Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose, but it bombed on its opening weekend.
“West Side Story” had the makings of another “Chicago,” a prestige film with a blockbuster turnout, but despite its crowd-pleasing appeal, the musical somehow performed poorly in theaters. While “The Fabelmans” is a different genre, it too failed to draw audiences with its story about the family drama that would form Spielberg into one of the greatest living filmmakers.
It’s natural for tastes to change as people get older and new generations come of age, and simple movies about becoming a filmmaker might not have the same appeal as huge blockbusters. “West Side Story” proves that Spielberg can make dazzling movies, but the director seems to be past the blockbuster side of his career and now wants to focus on dramas.