Steve Jobs, 2015.
Directed by Danny Boyle.
Starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Katherine Waterston, Michael Stuhlberg, Makenzie Moss, Ripley Sobo, Perla Haney-Jardine, and Jeff Daniels.
SYNOPSIS:
Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter.
It takes a very self-aggrandizing human being to compare his technological contributions to society as an event of equal importance to the Allies winning World War II, or stating he feels like Julius Caesar in that he is surrounded by enemies, but that’s exactly the personality Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender) embodied behind the scenes as an imperative figure to Apple’s success. To put it in blunt terms, he was simply an asshole that heavily believed he was the greatest gift to the universe next to sliced bread.
There even comes a point during a heated argument where longtime friend Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen) tells Steve Jobs that it’s possible to be a decent human being without simultaneously being an asshole, but much like some of the earlier gadgets Jobs created, he too is glitched and flawed to act out as anything different. Steve Jobs is more of a result of what happens to a human being when they become emotionally distant to those around them, and compulsively self-absorbed with their own work. “What you make isn’t supposed to be the best part of you, it’s who you are” is another great piece of advice given to Steve Jobs, this time from his confidant Joanna (Kate Winslet), but again, it just doesn’t sync up with the ambitious mentality of his admittedly genius mind.
It shouldn’t really be surprising that I referenced Aaron Sorkin’s script multiple times in this review already; his way with words is sublimely slick and razor-sharp at cutting through to the core of the behavior of his characters. He’s easily going to get another Oscar nomination and possible win for Best Adapted Screenplay, but most importantly, his undoubtedly captivating dialogue exchanges between Steve Jobs and various key figures in his life explode off the screen.
Steve Jobs argues with John Sculley (the former CEO of Apple portrayed by Jeff Daniels) in a tense conversation where both businessmen spill out their heart and true feelings regarding the breakup of their partnership (complete with an absolutely pulse-pounding piece of music) that lasts for roughly 5 minutes, additionally featuring cutaways to the past overlaid with real-time dialogue, and it’s somehow one of the most gripping scenes of 2015.
Just as equally riveting are the scenes between Jobs’ estranged love partner and possible illegitimate daughter (seen throughout the film at ages five, nine, and nineteen) which come with multiple layers of baggage. Steve seems to care about the young girl (even naming his first computer after her even though he refuses to openly acknowledge that as the reasoning), but due to his control freak nature, can’t find it in his heart to financially support her and her mother because as he puts it, she’s using him for the money.
With so much weight and controversial topics of discussion, it’s a wonder that Steve Jobs isn’t some three hour epic. Instead, it uses a non-conventional three act structure to allow audiences a gander into his life at three critical product launches, while showcasing all of the emotional turmoil and struggle the trailblazer was juggling. What this makes for is a double-edged sword where director Danny Boyle’s adaptation is relentlessly entertaining, but something so frenetically paced it never slows down to allow you to catch your breath and even analyze some of the conversations overheard. As fantastic as Sorkin’s script is, there were even more brilliant lines I wanted to reference in this review but I can’t, admittedly because I forgot many due to the blistering progression of the narrative structure. This movie is over two hours but barely registers as one hour due to all the engrossing dialogue that whizzes by.
All of this results in a scenario, where as terrible as the Ashton Kutcher starred biopic of Steve Jobs is, it’s actually not a bad companion piece to this version solely because even though it is extremely boring and by the numbers, you will have a grander understanding of the real-life personas. The recently released documentary will also go a long way in helping viewers appreciate this intimate outlook on three critical days in a very important life.
Furthermore, for as spot on and witty as Sorkin’s script is, you can’t help but feel it’s a bit of a retread of The Social Network, just with different names and faces. The core personalities are all too similar, telling another story about technology prodigies betraying one another and revealing their true colors as jerks. The narrative structure of only following Steve Jobs around at product launches also feels as if it limits the extent of how the film can explore the wiring of his mind. Essentially, Steve Jobs is a series of arguments involving a control freak striving for unequivocal success and world-changing fame at all costs.
Obviously he succeeded, but what’s most fascinating to ponder is if all the friendship and family sacrifices were worth being hailed as one of the greatest minds Earth has ever been granted. Steve Jobs doesn’t vilify the behavior of its titular character, but rather tells the unsavory truth of the real person and the lengths he went to achieve his accomplishments.
This isn’t the exact phrasing, but at one point Steve Jobs summarizes each product launch as everyone getting drunk 15 minutes before the press conference and openly revealing how much they deep down despise the man. It’s also a perfect synopsis of what you will witness for 123 minutes. That, alongside some awards worthy performances, a script by Aaron Sorkin that explodes off the silver screen, and some really visually beautiful directorial touches from Danny Boyle, even if his overall direction makes for complete chaos.
The next time you fire up that iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or iPod, just remember how insanely uncompromising and rude a mind it took to bring you these creations we take for granted and now seemingly can’t live without.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder – An aficionado of film, wrestling, and gaming. Follow me on Twitter or friend me on Facebook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=C_zu6XuI_g4
