Now that Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin have officially collaborated on a biopic of innovator Steve Jobs (who, just like comedian Bill Burr, I find overrated,) audiences can officially forget that the 2013 Ashton Kutcher-starring Jobs even happened and say that there is a real film about the man himself. I won't compare the Kutcher one to this one throughout the review but I will say that unlike the 2013 version, which felt like it was never going to end, this version flew by for me. This is probably because the 2013 film was too busy explaining things that were already known whereas this one fills in no gaps about Jobs's life. Director Boyle and screenwriter Sorkin know most people watching this film will know the basics and just want to see Michael Fassbender portray this man's struggles.
The way this film is set up can only be described as brilliant. The film follows Jobs before the launches of the Mac, the neXt and the iMac. However, it cleverly only shows him minutes before he must present the product. We never see him present the products. Rather, we see Jobs backstage trying (and not trying) to rectify issues he has with the people in his life as well as with himself. This technique allows the viewer to feel as if they are there with Jobs, whether he is arguing with his ex-wife (Katherine Waterson,) trading banter with his assistant (Kate Winslet,) refusing to acknowledge all of Steve Wozniak's (Seth Rogen) work, getting furious at former colleague Andy Hertzfeld (Michael Stuhlbarg) or debating ethics with John Sculley (Jeff Daniels.) This is also due to Boyle's masterful direction, which creates a sense of space while still keeping everything tight and thrilling. Also, as with 127 Hours, Boyle takes a concept with a limited location and creates ways (and not just through flashbacks) to expand the universe the film is set in. Never does the audience feel so crammed that they want to escape. There's always a feeling of genuinely expansive space.
The acting is terrific here. Rogen proves to be as dynamite in drama as he is in comedy while Daniels and Winslet do a great job playing the people who Jobs actually has some respect for. Meanwhile, Stuhlbarg and Waterson both give surprisingly emotional and deep performances as the two people Jobs has hurt the most (besides his daughter, played by three different excellent actresses (Perla Haney-Jardine, Ripley Sobo and Makenzie Moss) throughout the film.) The standout, however, is Fassbender. Some people have been complaining that Fassbender doesn't look much like Jobs. I find this a ridiculous complaint (it's one thing to have an opinion but come on.) I found he actually looked a fair amount like Jobs (the make up department might also be partially to thank for that) and he's so realistic and indicative of Jobs that even if you can see Fassbender, that should be gone after about five minutes.
Sorkin's script could have been a dry and even dour look at the life of a man who had some serious issues. However, being THE Aaron Sorkin, he has written an extremely witty and shockingly funny film featuring dialogue that is undeniably his. The way in which these characters interact feels all so real while still being as lively as can be. There were multiply times I even laughed out loud during the film and a scene late in the film between Wozniak and Jobs is as well written as films get. Boyle and Sorkin have made a film that might be constructed almost entirely out of conversations but demands to be seen in a theater due to its fast paced and witty nature. There's no way anyone can watch this film just once and get everything that's great about it but it's easier to catch a lot of it on the big screen.
Steve Jobs is a timely, exciting, downright brilliant film that must be seen by everyone right away. If for nothing else, see it for the amazing acting and flawless script and stay for Boyle's phenomenal directing.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language)
No comments:
Post a Comment