Week 44: Steve Jobs

Director: Danny Boyle

Writers:  Aaron Sorkin (screenplay) Walter Isaacson (Book “Steve Jobs”)

Seen:  13^th November 2015

Venue: IMC

Snacks: Popcorn

Mood: Techy

Steve Jobs is the latest film from Danny Boyle, a director I have consistently liked, and with an impressive oeuvre of films to his credit including Trainspotting (1996) and 28 Days Later (2002) I’m sure I am not alone. When I heard that he was to replace David Fincher and team up with writer Aaron Sorkin to make a film about Steve Jobs I was excited, albeit a little disappointed that Fincher had pulled. Boyle and Sorkin have created a very interesting film, that is quiet dissimilar to The Social Network (2010) the last film about a tech mogul that Sorkin penned (and Fincher directed). Steve Jobs has a very precise three act, real time structure which I really enjoyed, but while it worked for me it might not be to everyone’s taste.

In the demanding lead role is Michael Fassbender, he is literally in every frame and not once did I tire of or disbelieve his character, which is extremely hard to pull off as an actor. Like all Sorkin scripts there are many intense, dialogue heavy scenes between characters but they are all brilliantly directed and acted. Along with Fassbender there are strong performances from Jeff Daniels who plays John Sculley, Kate Winslet playing Joanna Hoffman and Seth Rogan who gives a forceful performance as Steve Wozniak.

There are many people stating that the film is unkind to Jobs, showing him in a bad light, however in my opinion the real Jobs was a far more horrible individual then Michael Fassbenders portrayal. To get a deeper grasp of Jobs I would recommend Alex Gibney documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015). Horrible or not he was a man who was certainly committed to changing the world to his vision, he believed that empowering people with knowledge and technology would do just that. 

This is an entertaining film that explores a very fascinating character, it might not be to everyone’s taste but it was certainly to mine.