In seven-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner The Fabelmans, David Lynch cameos as an iconic filmmaker who helps tell the story of Steven Spielberg's own path to becoming a great director. The film, a (mostly) autobiographical look at Spielberg's youth — his introduction to filmmaking, his parents' divorce, and bullying issues — blurs the line between reality and fiction, highlighting the power of filmmaking as a way to provide perspective and control. It was confirmed that Lynch joined the cast in early 2022, and his performance, however brief, does not disappoint.
In the film's final moments, Sammy Fabelman (Spielberg) starts a job with the producer of Hogan's Heroes, who brings him across the hall to meet the "greatest director ever." After the secretary tells Sammy, he'll have to wait for a moment. He notices the posters adorning the walls of the waiting room — the films of John Ford, frequently referenced in The Fabelmans, such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and How Green Was My Valley. Ford (played by Lynch) enters with an eye patch, cigar, and kiss marks on his face, moving straight into his office. The secretary hurriedly follows him with a box of tissues before telling Sammy he has one minute to talk to him. When Sammy tells him he wants to be a filmmaker, Ford responds, looking rather serious, "Why? This business will tear you apart."
Did A Young Steven Spielberg Meet John Ford In Real Life
Spielberg confirms that the details of this encounter are, for the most part, accurate. John Ford was one of his favorite filmmakers, and Spielberg still returns to films, including The Searchers. When Spielberg met him at a young age, he came into the room with lipstick on his face, giving him about a minute. Recounting the story, Spielberg notes that Ford had him stand in front of Western-themed paintings in his office and point out the horizon, saying, "When you're able to distinguish the art of the horizon at the bottom of a frame or at the top of a frame — but not going right through the center of a frame — when you're able to appreciate why it's at the top, why it's at the bottom, you might make a pretty good picture-maker…"
Why David Lynch Was The Perfect Choice For John Ford In The Fabelmans
The filmmakers choosing to cast Lynch as John Ford was undoubtedly an excellent decision. Since The Fabelmans is Spielberg's semi-autobiographical story, it often blurs the line between reality and fiction, character and human being. This is especially true, as previously mentioned, considering its commentary on the power filmmaking gives people to influence reality with their perspective and control. Having John Ford played by another outstanding filmmaker solidifies the film's thematic power in this regard. As Sammy leaves the office and the credits begin to roll, it's evident that Spielberg, perhaps the most famous movie director of our time, has told the audience in his own words how he got his start in the business.
The David Lynch Cameo Further Ties The Fabelmans To Spielberg's Legacy
While it is a beautiful, funny, and touching movie throughout, The Fabelmans ending with Lynch playing John Ford leaves fans with a perfect conclusion, thanks largely to David Lynch's cameo. The scene of young Sammy meeting John Ford feels like the culmination of this story. The Fabelmans is more than just a coming-of-age story of an aspiring filmmaker, but the aspects of Sammy's family drama and being bullied at school all lead him on this path to becoming a director.
However, after this meeting with his filmmaking idol, Sammy begins to realize this is a dream that is within his reach. John Ford's blunt words of wisdom are not the only advice Sammy will listen to, and maybe not even the best, but as he walks out onto the studio lot, he looks like a young man on his way to his destiny, which includes Spielberg being nominated for Best Director — his third, which would put him on par with David Lynch — and Best Picture for The Fabelmans.