Steve Jobs Review
RYAN: This new biopic dramatizes a slice of Jobs’ life, focusing on the behind-the-scenes, or literal backstage drama, taking place prior to the launch of three major products during his career. Everyone wants to compare it to the Ashton Kutcher film Jobs – which, just to get out of the way, is the B-movie version of this film. This is all A-list: Danny Boyle – director, Aaron Sorkin – writer, and Michael Fassbender/Kate Winslet – actors. They’re all at the top of their game. In two hours, it feels like it whips by in ten minutes.
ERIK: It really is fascinating. I didn’t know what to expect going in – at first it took me a moment to realize they’re just focusing on the pre-launch shows. But if you think about it, so many people think of Steve Jobs and his launch programs which were legendary. You’d all go see it online after. It’s cool seeing the man behind the curtain.
RYAN: There is much genius to the work he did but the marketing and the hype that went into his style of promoting a buzz around these launches was amazing – whether anyone needed them, everybody wanted them – the design and and the marketing creates such incredible fanfare. Overall, he comes across as a real jerk in this film. He’s not an empathetic or caring guy. It doesn’t really honor him – it makes him look heartless and cold.
ERIK: We all heard stories about how difficult he was to work with and hard on his colleagues. He had an artist’s mentality but businessman’s vernacular. To me, it seems fair. It shows he’s good at what he did; he wasn’t an inventor but an innovator. He had selfish moments but they try to show it a bit.
RYAN: It’s classic Aaron Sorkin. Whether it’s The Social Network or The West Wing, he’s known for fast-paced dialogue and the walk and talk. It’s whip fast. When you have scene partners like Michael Fassbender and Kate Winslet, amazing on their own, but then with the words of Aaron Sorkin and this brilliant editing – it’s like a visual duet. Especially in the scenes with Michael and Jeff Daniels – it cuts between scenes in different times and is simultaneous and you have to pay close attention but it works and it’s brilliant to watch and take in so much info so quickly.
ERIK: That was very cool. The first time it happened, I thought the movie would collapse on itself but then it works and it doesn’t clash. Danny’s visual storytelling and Aaron’s script work together. Interesting shots and great dialogue – it streamlines.
RYAN: You can’t blink in this movie. You have to stay alert to pay attention – there are flash frames of info. We’d normally edit those out in TV production but they are in there, intentionally, in this movie – giving you more information. It’s a glimpse into what’s going on inside Steve’s mind, and state of mind, while he’s talking to someone else and it’s so clever. Danny Boyle is very smart.
ERIK: Even if it’s jarring at first, you’re won back immediately and it’s all very satisfying. It’s almost like an action scene in a movie that’s all dialogue.
RYAN: These scenes are like car chases. You can’t be bored watching this. The performances are great. Fassbender is so talented. He really looks like him at the end, like how I remember him. His American accent it great.
ERIK: I’ve always loved him. He knocks everything out of the park. Seth Rogen is very comfortable in this film. He’s right for the role and also Michael Stuhlbarg is very good.
RYAN: He’s someone you recognize but don’t really know his name.
ERIK: He’s always very good.
RYAN: Kate is a real highlight in the film and her subtle Polish accent is amazing – she has some fantastic moments that are worthy of an Oscar nom.
ERIK: She really gets to build and do more as the movie goes on. The accent is perfect as someone speaking English as a second language. She steals some scenes and is not distractingly famous.
RYAN: And back to Danny Boyle – again, with how visual he is as a director, he does some of the things he did in 127 Hours where you see almost a slideshow projection and although this isn’t a sci-fi movie, you don’t question it. It works. It adds. It’s amazing. You just take it in as more story.
ERIK: Despite now being very established – he still has an indie sensibility and courage of a young filmmaker.
RYAN: It has much buzz going into awards season for all of the major categories. It’s very enjoyable – fantastic filmmaking and storytelling.
