★★★★

In a world of AMC’s and Regal’s and Cinemark’s, the Laemmle Theaters movie chain has persevered over the course of its 84 years. The family-owned, Los Angeles-based, art house cinema chain may have 9 locations and just 44 screens, but the resilience and struggle and acumen to stay alive in an industry at a crossroads is no small testament to the dedication of the Laemmle family, and current owners Robert and Greg Laemmle.

Only in Theaters documents the Laemmle story, from the theater chain’s formation in 1938 to its emergence during the golden age of Hollywood as a place of esteem and high regard. For several decades, Laemmle Theaters has provided movie fans memorable experiences, supported countless premieres and red carpet events. However, in recent years, like nearly all independent, smaller theatrical chains, the Laemmle family have had to face unrelenting struggle and profound complications in running their day-to-day business. Strident in the belief that movies play best, and most impactful, in a theatrical setting, the rise of streaming, the death of the second-run movie market, and a global pandemic challenged the Laemmle Theaters nearly to the breaking point.

Directed by actor/director Raphael Sbarge, Only in Theaters seems to initially serve as a love letter to the proverbial underdog, a scrappy fighter of a company surviving in a global industry where consolidation and an audience increasingly willing to pay top ticket prices for massive blockbuster movies and little else has become the standard. At times, Sbarge and the Laemmles seem to reflect on what used to be and what might be again.

Through the wistful reminiscing and vivid memories shared, subtly and effectively Sbarge builds a dramatic and poignant film. As we hear from Robert Laemmle, and see the day-to-day grind running the chain takes on his son Greg, and Greg’s wife, Tish, Only in Theaters becomes a different story altogether. The film speaks to an acknowledgment that nothing can ever last forever. However, the film illustrates that for the Laemmles, the issues facing their family business are larger than simply showing movies to people. Rather, the film speaks to the challenges of balancing the personal and the professional; trying to make cogent, rational decisions when an entire’s life’s work has been dedicated to something which may no longer be a viable way to earn a living.

For Greg, the weight of maintaining 80-plus years of a successful family business creates a visceral, physical reaction. Tish carries Greg’s stress and Greg is always trying to find ways to keep the lights on and maintain the family business. In the months before the pandemic, Greg and Tish are hearing bids on the potential sale of two Laemmle locations, unaware of course that COVID-19 would shutter all Laemmle locations for an extended period of time.

Only in Theaters may be a breeze of a film to watch, but Sbarge really finds an emotional connection in the second half of the film. We see numerous filmmakers and actors sharing about their earliest movie memories - some of which occurred in a Laemmle Theater in Los Angeles. Those testimonials in the front half of the film, and the generational dedication by the Laemmle family to create communal, shared moviegoing experiences, make the agonizing decisions and struggles facing Greg and his family all the more emotional for the viewer.

We want them to succeed. We want the underdog to win. With nearly half of all movie screens in the United States owned by AMC, Regal, and Cinemark, and digital film distribution literally one click away for most people, the Laemmle story is an important one.

Sbarge portrays the cinematic experience as a deeply personal and rewarding experience for all involved. The Laemmle family remains willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to keep those experiences alive and well for a legion of loyal moviegoers. For the Laemmles, Laemmle Theaters, and the regional independent chains around the country, hope remains that, as we emerge out of the COVID-19 pandemic, those loyalties are reciprocated and such sacrifices are rewarded.

Only in Theaters was screened as part of the 48th Seattle International Film Festival.