STEVE JOBS
Directed by Danny Boyle
Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Based on the book by Walter Isaacson
Starring Michael Fassbender; Kate Winslet; Seth Rogan; and Jeff Daniels
In this revealing film we explore the trials and triumphs of a modern day genius and maybe carnival barker, the late CEO of Apple inc. Steven Jobs (Michael Fassbender).
It is like a stage play, most of the film taking place behind the scenes right before three important product launches in 1984 The Macintosh; 1988 NEXT Cube; and 1998 the IMAC.
Fassbender is fantastic as Jobs, he takes Sorkin's rapid fire dialogue and never misses a beat even with many conversations going on at the same time, always looking confident. He is in every scene. He is a jerk. He is confident. His social skills are just way off. He is Steve Jobs!
Then you have Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman as Steve's right hand assistant and advisor. The only one who could tell him off. She is wonderful. Nervous and frustrated and almost caring and motherly.
Seth Rogan as Steve Wozniak, Steve's partner who is constantly being treated as an assistant, in reality he is the inventor. There is no doubt this is Rogans best performance ever.
Then we come to Jeff Daniels as John Sculley. Jeff Daniels could be one of this countries most underrated actors. Like in the film Martian he comes in here and just commands the screen as Job's mentor/father. He is an interesting actor, alongside his screen work, Daniels is the founder of The Purple Rose Theater Company in Chelsea, Michigan in the town where he lives. Then he pops in to films and TV roles and then leaves for a couple years then pops back in. He always seems to find good roles (ignoring dumb and dumber 2).
All of the above actors/actresses should easily get a an Oscar Nomination with Fassbender and Winslet becoming front runners at this early period in the Oscar race.
As for Boyle he made an interesting decision to have each part of the movie filmed differently. 1984 was filmed with 16mm. 1988 in 35 mm. 1998 in digital. You can clearly see the difference and it really works. It gives the film a great feel of time and place.
Sorkin, as noted before, gives his usual rapid fire dialog. Surprisingly the focus is not on Jobs and Apple, but his relationships with people close to him and mostly spotlighting on the relationship with his daughter Lisa. However, here is the problem that may take away the chance of this film getting an Oscar nod, the film is not true. Yes it is true that Jobs was a very difficult person, but 95% of this movie is false....including the final scene with his daughter that did not happen in 1998 but a year earlier. I do not know how fair it is to write real facts into a script and then use them all in a consolidated different time span, and almost selling it as being true. I guess it is up to you, the viewer to decide if that is right or wrong.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars for the wonderful performances highlighted by Fassbender bringing Jobs back to life.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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