STEVE JOBS - Review

Steve Jobs

Biographical Drama, 2015
2 hours, 2 minutes

Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Directed by Danny Boyle
Based on the book Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Rated R for "language"

Starring
Michael Fassbender
Kate Winslet
Jeff Daniels
Seth Rogen
Michael Stuhlbarg
Katherine Waterston

"Coach lands on the runway at the exact same time as first class."

You can put any actor in a movie and people will be skeptical. Michael Fassbender as one of the biggest tech giants in history? Could work. Seth Rogen as the real brains behind the computer? Um... Maybe? Throw in Kate Winslet and Jeff Daniels and you've got a stellar cast. What about a director... How about Danny Boyle? He's a bit of an odd-ball, but he's won some Oscars and we like him, right? Yeah, that works. But I'm still unsure. And THEN you find out the movie is being written by none other than Aaron Sorkin, and now you've got a fuckin' movie. And what a fuckin' movie it is.

Sorkin has taken a different approach to Jobs' story. The film takes place in three distinct time periods: 1984, 1988, and 1998. Everything happens in real time, and it all occurs backstage, mere moments before Jobs introduces the next big thing to the world. Jobs is faced with tech demo problems, past demons, and irate superiors, and his daughter, who is the real crux of the story. It is far from a straightforward biopic, but this picture is more of a character study than anything else. 

Everyone is already comparing Steve Jobs to Sorkin's The Social Network, considering they're both loosely based on prolific tech billionaires with massive egos. It's a reasonable question, but they are different beasts. The Social Network was focused mainly on Zukerberg's ego blinding him from building a company from the ground up and the roadblocks in the way. Steve Jobs, on the other hand, focuses on the man's demons and personal problems first. Yes, he is obsessed with his products, believing they are just as significant as the Allies winning World War II. Steve Jobs has a much different ending as well, which was almost perfect... But it lingered for just a minute or two too long for my taste, and it shapes how Jobs is ultimately perceived, which clashes with how the film portrays him throughout the two hours. 

I've mentioned Aaron Sorkin several times because he's the real mastermind behind the film. Danny Boyle did a stellar job taking on his script, just as good as Fincher did on The Social Network. Boyle's direction only stands out in a few key moments, utilizing some Dutch angles and tight editing. The rest is all for Sorkin, and his sharp and witty dialogue is as brilliant as it has always been. Characters have distinct voices, all managing to keep up with one another in the chaotic world Sorkin has created. 

Anyone can write a good script (in Sorkin's case, a truly great script), but it takes actors to bring it to life. Skeptics need no longer be skeptic: Fassbender completely delivers on virtually every level. He's ruthless, genius, and a jackass. Winslet, who plays Joanna Hoffman, his "work wife" and close confidant, is the only person who can penetrate her boss' cold exterior. Rogen is incredibly sympathetic as Steve Wozniak, an old friend of Steve's and original engineer and designer on the early Apple computers. He has maybe three scenes total, and watching Jobs shut him down repeatedly is heartbreaking. Rogen could actually get an Oscar nomination this year. 

Now, most people who want a biopic will be sorely disappointed. Considering it only takes place in three parts, much of the history is condensed into these moments. It's obvious that not all of this drama happened as is, and there is questions regarding the validity and intent of actions of certain characters. Was Jobs the jackass that he is portrayed as? Maybe. There was similar controversy regarding The Social Network. If you really can't get past the historical inaccuracies, you might not like the film. 

Steve Jobs, at its core, isn't even about the technology. It's the story of how Jobs failed to connect with his daughter, Lisa. She is well played by all three actresses and she helps Steve change throughout the film. She starts off as a cute little kid who doesn't know any better, but grows to resent her father for being, well, Steve Jobs, and even she must find some solace with her father. It's a touching story for the two of them, and it's a welcome surprise. 

Those looking for a definitive biopic of Steve Jobs may as well watch the Ashton Kutcher film from a couple years back. I've heard many audience members disliked it because of what they expected, which is a shame, because Steve Jobs is definitely one of my favorite movies this year. It's expertly crafted, tightly written, and impeccably performed. Just go into it knowing what you're paying for.

9.5/10

Fun Fact: One page in a screenplay is (roughly) the equivalent to one minute of screen time. The runtime for the film is 123 minutes, but the screenplay is... 177 pages. Pages and pages of dialogue... And it truly is brilliant.