great premise bogged down by relentless focus on jobs' family life

Rating: 7/10 (25 October 2015)

the premise is that instead of a linear plot-driven portrayal of Jobs' life, this film is split into 3 segments providing a behind-the-scenes look at preparations for the product launches of the Mac, Next Computer, and the iMac. It's a fantastic idea. Those who read Walter Isaacson's biography Steve Jobs - on which this is apparently based - know the man was incredibly driven and consumed by his work, often to the detriment of friends and family. This is a good opportunity to show him in his element, while providing subtle glimpses into the contentious relationship Jobs had with his family.
The execution falls short of this premise. There are good scenes throughout, including a bit where Jobs argues the necessity of ensuring the Mac speaks the word "hello" to the audience. These bits focusing on the inner struggles at Apple and the intense charismatic performance of Fassbender work in the movie's favor.
Unfortunately, there's a deliberate push to make Jobs relationship with his ex-gf Chrisann and their daughter Lisa a big part of the film. In this movie it feels like Chrisann and Lisa have backstage passes at every Apple event, and they just show up hours beforehand to hang out and argue about Steve's parenting. The extent to which they focuses on Jobs' familial problems, especially within the context of these supposed product launches, feels forced and unnatural. You know it's bad when Joanna Hoffman (Jobs' top aide in the film) deliberately takes precious time out of their preparations to berate him on his fatherly responsibilities.
It's clear the writers made a concerted (and heavyhanded) effort to inject drama into this story, but it's unnecessary and ultimately results in a good, but uneven product.
thoughts on sorkin: prepare yourselves! this film has no real plot, and it feels like the producers gave Sorkin carte blanche, so the whole thing is like a long stereotypical Aaron Sorkin scene, with characters walking really fast while constantly bickering and dispensing caustic one-liners. I'm a huge fan of The Social Network, but parts of this flick felt a bit too Sorkiny for my tastes. "everything in moderation", as they say.