Real Life Fairy Tale

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

IT JUST GOES TO show that wonderful family entertainment can happen in any language. The Amazing Maurice, directed and produced by German artists, was written by American screenwriter Terry Rossio, and stars a galaxy of famous British voices in a film first distributed for European audiences. Although

THE AMAZING MAURICE

Sky Cinema, Rated: PG In theatres pompous cat Maurice would insist this is entirely his film, it’s really the story of loveable, roust-about rats searching for a forever home. Maurice, a self-serving cat if there ever was one, convinces them it’s more profitable to hoodwink humans than to try to live alongside them. But when their unlikely cat-rat cohort finds a new town that’s mysteriously empty of rats, they know it must be trouble. And sure enough, Maurice discovers the town is ruled by ratcatchers and a menacing presence known as a Rat King. While Maurice works

THE FABELMANS

Amblin Entertainment, Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Amazon to keep his rat friends safe, they’re helped by humans Keith and Malicia, who go in search of the real Pied Piper in order to steal his magic flute. With the flute, they hope to defeat the Rat King’s power over furry, fourfooted creatures. Meanwhile, the Rat King sets a devious trap for Maurice & Co and they are soon captured. Adding to the narrative intrigue, screenwriter Rossio tells a story within a story, and winks at his young audience by showing them how

ALTHOUGH PRAISED AS one of Steven Spielberg’s best works and based on his early years as an adolescent cinema prodigy, The Fabelmans blends truth and myth into an ambivalent package. Spielberg examines his suburban, early-1960’s upbringing and his parents’ troubled marriage mainly through his mother’s eyes rather than his own. Granted, Michelle Williams delivers an outstanding performance as Sammy Fabelmans’ mother, which will likely win gold, but it’ll be for a leading role in the film rather than a supporting role. Spielberg seems to want to exonerate his mother’s semi-serious flirtations with his father’s best friend, which eventually leads to divorce and affects his future filmmaking. Anxious as a child, bullied as a teenager, and venting his feelings into his early films, Sammy learns the power of cinema and prefers the director’s life over a college education. Filmmaking continually puts good stories are constructed. But let’s not forget that Maurice must escape and save his rat friends from the terrible Rat King who refuses to give up. Although the big showdown might be a little scary for younger viewers, Maurice triumphs with Keith’s musical talent, Malicia’s tenacity, and his own good conscience. Stories unravel, as does the Rat King, and by the very end, there’s a new happy chapter for Maurice and all the rats. ✦ him at odds with father’s traditional viewpoint, but draws him closer to his mother who sacrificed her musical talent for a family. The Fabelmans is narratively solid, the characters are fairly interesting, and it’s fun to pinpoint the Spielberg trivia, but I’m not sure I’d call the film a winner. No doubt, genius is complicated and a talent like Spielberg’s is one in a million.