Steve Jobs

I've been excited for Steve Jobs for some time now. 

How could you not be? Its got a cast to die for, a Sorkin script and screenplay, directed by Danny Boyle, and is about one of the most influential people of the last century. 

By the time the credits rolled I was in love -- the movie is nothing short of electric (an adjective you'll hear several more times throughout this review) -- and I felt inspired, not to mention impressed by the film I just watched. So when my father told me after the film was done that he would give it a 2/5, I was taken aback. 

Had he not seen the film I just saw?

After I handled my initial shock, I inquired as to why. He began to explain that it wasn't anything like he expected it would be and that, as a biographical film, it failed to capture many of the largest points about him and his life. If should be noted that he's read Steve Jobs the book (I have yet to) and he conceded that a lot of what happens in the 3-scene film is accurate, but that there is a much different balance of focus on many of the characters throughout Jobs' life. I realized that I had known about the 3-scene structure arc going into the film, and that I could see how its use, while rather brilliant, might shock someone who expected a full biographical film. And you can't really argue that it doesn't pose itself as that, especially when it directly connects itself to the book by which my dad was judging it by. Because of this, I've decided to approach this review a little differently by rating the film as a biography and rating it as a movie, completely separated from any previous notions or knowledge. 

"No man, you can't be in Pineapple Express 2!"

As a Biography:
What might have been a brilliant decision from the movie lens, really hinders Steve Jobs through the historical filter. It chooses three product launches from Jobs' career: the Macintosh (1984), the NeXT computer (1988), and the iMac (1998). Neither of those three, aside from the iMac seem like a revolutionary instance and I question why these three were chosen other than the fact that their cadence encapsulates the failure, firing, and return of Steve Jobs at Apple. Which, if we're being fair, was a small piece out of a much larger pie. Steve Jobs does a solid job at filling in the gaps between the time periods, but this is really one of those biographies that is more of a snapshot or abbreviation than what might have been "the life of Steve Jobs". Where was the iPod or the iPhone? Both of those things were absolutely revolutionary and they are merely hinted at in this film. For people going in cold, lacking any knowledge of the man previously, would you have known after this film that he was married? That he had kids? That he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? No. 

In addition to many of the left out events of his life, Steve Jobs also seems to have a peculiar focus on certain people that, at least in the book, were not given special focus to. The film really centers around his relationship with his first daughter, Lisa, and her mother of whom Jobs never married. These people actually existed, but I find it interesting that the film focuses so heavily on something that didn't really define Steve Jobs, especially when you consider he did have a family of his own.  

Where Steve Jobs excels as a biography is tracking the events during this short time period, but also in capturing the spirit of the man. He was a visionary, and he was a man that knew he was a visionary. With that comes a lack of hubris, and a rather large lack of empathy. Throughout the film's two hours, I feel like I may not have learned anything close to all there is to know about Steve Jobs' life, but I certainly learned what type of person he was and what his work ethic and values were. 

As a Biography: 3/10

Has chronic cold-neck syndrome ^^

As a Movie:

When looking at Steve Jobs through the strict lens of a standalone film I have completely different feelings about it. It's nothing short of incredible and it's a fast-paced, in your face film that sings from frame to frame, all the way to the end. Two hours has rarely felt so fast and it represents one of those instances where a lot of talented people get together (director, writer, actors, composers, cinematographers, etc.) and great things happen. 

Trying to start a revolution...

For starters, the script is fire. Aaron Sorkin is known for his rapid fire quips and non-stop dialogue and Jobs is no exception. In fact, I'd say it's some of his best work. Zingers fly left and right, many of which are hilarious, but when the film needs to get serious, the dialogue has no problem shifting gears. An intense discussion in the second time period around Jobs' firing from Apple comes to mind. The script, editing, and original score of the film are in unison and it makes something that isn't really all that exciting something that you can't take your eyes off of. This phenomenon is replicated throughout the film; something that would otherwise be fairly mundane is suddenly an addictive fire-shot of a conversation that you feel like you need to watch. Boyle's direction is a key element to this as the pace is brisk, right from the get-go and the editing, which verges on the edge of too much, is fine tuned for maximum artistry. I spoke earlier about Boyle's decision for the film to play out in three unique product launches and how it results in a biography that leaves a lot to be desired. But as a film, the decision immediately makes Steve Jobs stand alone from other biographical stories as it is unique and captivating overall. The original score also deserves a shout-out here because it shifts with those three time periods, becoming different for each third, but absolutely outstanding each time. It reminded me equal parts of the softer moments of Interstellar and a bit of Slumdog Millionaire's soundtrack as well. 

And obviously I can't wrap up without having mentioned the performances, of which I would guess several will be recognized. Fassbender, unsurprisingly, is phenomenal and more than able to capture Steve's passion, behavior, and mentality. Kate Winslet portrays Jobs' self-proclaimed "work-wife", Joanna Hoffman, and is able to nearly rival Fassbender's titular performance. Jeff Daniels, portraying John Sculley, does great here as well, especially considering he's already familiar with Sorkin's work. Personally, I was most impressed with Seth Rogen as Steve Wozniak, an individual who is as crucial to Apple's existence as Jobs was. He goes toe to toe with Fassbender's Jobs in several scenes and Rogen's delivery of the script as well as his ability to convey the appropriate emotions are outstanding and it's his dilemmas with Steve that really drive home the point that Jobs was incredibly difficult to work with. A bit shocking to say, but I think Rogen is going to be an Oscar-nominated actor in a few months time. 

  As a Movie: 10/10 -- Instant Classic

"I make this turtleneck look fly as f**k!"

Steve Jobs is one hell of a movie, I'd say it's even one of the best of the year. It's insanely well crafted from nearly any way you look at it and fires on all cylinders for a solid two hours. I am conflicted though because as a biography it is extremely lacking. It captures an important segment of Jobs' life as well as his spirit and motivations, but it doesn't provide anything close to the big picture. Assuming that there isn't going to be a sequel that would wrap things up, it's a bit disappointing that a movie this good only covers so little. However, that begs the question: is the movie as good as it is because of the way it covers these events? 

Without delving into my personal psyche of how I want to score this beast too deeply I think it's best to say this: Steve Jobs is one of the best movies of the year and it's like a theater-going dose of adrenaline. But it is not comprehensive, and whether or not you fault it for that is up to you. For myself, as a movie critic, I'm finding it hard to fault it too much, but I also don't think it should be ignored. 

CONS:

• For a film with a title of a single man that's based on a novel about his life, it chooses an awfully narrow window to cover. Knowing what we know about Steve and Apple, I don't know if it was the best window to be chosen, and it completely misses some of the biggest events of his life post iMac reveal
• A lot of facts are left out that, while not dishonest, really leave a void in how the man appears in the film. The fact that he had his own family is not mentioned once, for example
• Places significant emphasis on a few characters throughout the film that seem to be over-exaggerated in their importance to Steve Jobs' life and his legacy
• Abrupt ending with an odd final frame

PROS:

• Just an absolutely electric film from start to finish. It's so exciting to watch
• One of the best scripts I've heard in recent memory. It's fast-paced, witty, dramatic and well thought out
• Boyle's direction is superb and the energy provided by the script is equaled by the energy of the film's overall flow, pacing, cinematography, and editing
• Fantastic original score
• The three-scene platform was an artistic decision and, completely removed from the biographical holes it creates, it really sets Steve Jobs apart and provides a unique movie-going experience
• All performances are stellar and if we saw four nominations out of this film (1 lead and 3 supporting) I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. Fassbender and Rogen were my highlights
• Captures the spirit and essence of Jobs well without shying away from some of his less desirable qualities. The man was a visionary, but he was also an a**hole. Steve Jobs makes sure that you know both

 
Rath's Review Score: 8.5/10