Janet W., Here…
Steve Jobs opens on a black and white video of a young boy listening with profound focus to a computer technician’s progressive response to the world’s potential journey towards a computer-dependent society. Young Steve Jobs clearly had a desire for technological innovation in his blood even then. Through his wide-eyed look, the turning of his mental wheels was easily discerned. Even then, you could tell that Jobs had his mind set on a path to making the right computers a part of everyone’s everyday life. Fast forward to the launch of the first Mac where an all-grown up Jobs (Michael Fassbender) is in a state of controlled panic (or was it frustration?).
Michael Fassbender is a scary close resemblance to Jobs. Way to go makeup team! Fassbender also does a good job of mimicking Jobs’ (excuse the pun) mannerisms and neuroses. In his own right, I have enjoyed all of his performances (300, my beloved X-Men Series, Inglourious Basterds, Prometheus, and 12 Years a Slave (I wanted to put a hurting on him, but I loved his performance)) thus far, thank you Germany/Ireland! Kate Winslet is brilliant as always as Jobs’ right hand, Joanna Hoffman.
However, what can this woman not do (Titanic, Quills, Movie 43 , and the Divergent ). Now, I have not watched the other films on Steve Jobs. Truth be told, I have avoided them like the plague. However, when this assignment came up it was the promise of watching the acting excellence of these two that made me accept. Additionally, I enjoyed the snippets of Seth Rogen (Steve Wozniak) which were sporadic throughout the film. Rogen has the potential to do more than just make us split our sides with laughter (Zack and Miri Make a Porno). I hope to see more from him.
Steve Jobs is a super-charged trip through the struggle between his intellectual/ambitious mind and his emotional damage/deficiency. Jobs’ difficulties with relationships of all kinds is like watching a child not knowing which way to go in a labyrinth. Yes, that tug on my empathy strings, but just for a moment before he throws back up his guarded titanium wall which he hid behind. If you want to follow and comprehend the complexity that is Steve Jobs then you had better put on your mental running shoes and try to keep up. In regards to his emotional side, the pace does slow, at least long enough for sip of your drink of bite of your food. Then the viewer is jolted back to the races.
Danny Boyle, director, cleverly conceived the telling this story through the film’s visual design and mood. Flashbacks were of major assistance, but might be a little hard for some to follow. They are perhaps too quick cut to the past and right back out to the present day which makes the plot follow somewhat abrupt and seemingly disjointed. However, I find that intentional, because that is how the mind of a fast-talking, hyperactive thinker operates.
All in all, Steve Jobs is enjoyable, especially if you are a tech nerd or Apple enthusiast like me. No one can ever say that the leadership and vision of Steve Jobs, though inexplicable and downright barbarous, hasn’t changed everyone’s everyday life with his right computer. I know I love all of my Apple devices (what? I said I was a tech nerd and Apple enthusiast).
4.5 out of 5 Stars
– Janet L. White