Gabriel LaBelle gives a strong performance in this mostly enjoyable and captivating story about a young man ("Sammy") coming of age in America after World War II, who has an interest in filmmaking. Raised in a seemingly idyllic setting with his mother "Mitzi" (Michelle Williams), father "Burt" (Paul Dano), and sister "Natalie" (Keeley Karsten), they seemed to get along well enough. His father works as a developer in the computer field, and alongside their close friend "Bennie" (Seth Rogan), they move to Arizona for a promising new venture. Following a family camping trip—and the passing of his grandmother—the young “Sammy” is tasked with creating a short film using footage he captured while they were having fun outdoors. His increasing focus on the specifics within his photography starts to uncover something disturbing, which puts their previously harmonious family dynamic at risk. What follows shows how everyone gradually adjusts to his discovery and how he decides what his future profession will be. I'm not typically fond of Williams—I often find her acting somewhat detached; however, she’s excellent here. The character of "Mitzi" is likely the most compelling, definitely the most troubled, and she portrays it effectively. There are two brief but memorable appearances from Judd Hirsch and David Lynch at the film’s conclusion, which has a distinct richness to it. Similar to the acting, the cinematography and music feel authentic and immersive, making it easy to believe that pursuing a career in filmmaking is achievable—even simple! I'm not sure how much of this reflects Steven Spielberg’s personal experiences, but frankly, it didn't matter to me. It's simply an excellent film to see.

Source on TMDB