Aaron Sorkin at its best in worthy tribute to Steve Jobs

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2015)

Danny Boyle's biopic/character study of the late Steve Jobs is an unconventional but also refreshing take on the Apple CEO's story. As numerous feature films and documentaries have already been released, telling practically the same story, this distinct 3-act film gives an original perspective.
It focuses on three separate key product launches in Jobs' early career and gives a behind-the-scenes look at him interacting with employers, employees and old friends in preparing the epic presentations he's most known for. However, the core story is Job's relationship with his daughter, which exposes his character arc the best throughout the film. Something this movie could've used more of.
Michael Fassbender stars as the main character and gives a powerhouse performance in this movie. He may not resemble Jobs physically, but more than makes up for it in embodying his drive, intensity and personality. His intensity is matched by Kate Winslet, playing his "work-wife" Joanna, and Jeff Daniels as John Sculley. Watching them act alongside each other is a sight to see. Expect some Oscar recognition the coming award season. Honorable mention to Seth Rogen, who gives an excellent dramatic performance as Apple co- founder Steve Wozniak.
Yet, the person who steals the show is Aaron Sorkin, who delivers a dynamite screenplay with witty and intriguing dialogue. His script sets the pace for the whole movie and time really flies when watching the actors excellently deliver his lines.
The pace and intensity of the conversations were nicely maintained with long track shots and tight editing. I also appreciated the directors' decision to film the 3 parts in 16mm, 35mm and digital to give a nice feel of the time span of the movie.
A slight point of criticism could be that some of the flashback scenes might have been cut differently for a more dramatic effect or a smoother transition of the scene.
All in all, Steve Jobs is an incredibly entertaining film with a killer script, fantastic acting and gives us a nuanced perspective on Steve Jobs. Not only picturing him as an intolerable jerk, but as a flawed man who had trouble connecting with the people he cared for. Something he himself was very aware of. Therefore, the movie really delivers on its tagline: Can a great man be a good man?