Steve Jobs

Rating: 10/10 (25 October 2015)

One of the best descriptions I have read of the new film, Steve Jobs, is that it is like a play, or an opera done in four different parts. In describing this, I will not be giving away anything about the film, but may instead draw more interest on your behalf to the film, or perhaps just the opposite. The film is written by Aaron Sorkin (who wrote the brilliant screenplay to 2010's The Social Network) and based upon the book by Walter Isaacson. The film is divided up into four different parts and as earlier described, this is like watching a play, or an opera because each of these segments of the film is for the most part, consisting of only a couple of characters and actors on set at a time (there may be some lingering in the background to fill out the scene), but generally the main action and dialogue in each of these sections consists of back and forth dialogue between Michael Fassbender (who plays Steve Jobs) and any number of the various supporting actors and characters that go along with this true story. Each scene is set up as a play, or opera and ultimately plays out that way as well. This is a film with no action, no special effects, or anything like that, so for those seeking that, they better look elsewhere. Instead we get these brilliantly set up scenes with Aaron Sorkin's top notch dialogue and each of these great actors and actresses interacting with each other and with the fantastic writing and lines they are delivering, this is pure movie-making for any fan of the craft and an absolute joy and pleasure to watch. No action is needed in this film because Sorkin's dialogue and script is so good that he manages to cover a good part of Jobs' life and what was going on around him into these four parts of the movie using these great actors and instead of showing the action it is all described to you in detail with the great back and forth dialogue between the actors. I know that to a lot of you, the idea of watching a couple of people in one room, just basically talking back and forth between each other for the duration of the movie must sound like pure torture and like something that would be painful and extremely boring to sit through. These people couldn't be more wrong. Steve Jobs is so fascinating to watch because of the great writing and dialogue between the characters and each of these actors and actresses so brilliantly get into these roles and can debate and recite these lines as if they went to the top acting and debating schools because the lines and the performances are pulled off so flawlessly here. The film also showcases Jobs' life through dialogue and we see him at various stages in his life focusing on his business enterprises, his relationships with those around him including coworkers and an estranged wife and daughter as well as how in many ways he was a ruthless business man who had a vision and would stop at nothing, or no one to achieve what he truly thought was best for his product, company and stock shareholders. Something that is no doubt going to pop into the minds of many people watching this film is why there was made a film of a man like Steve Jobs, who perhaps in many ways isolated himself away from family and the affections and considerations of others only to become extremely wealthy and looking after his own self? A lot of people may be against Jobs the person and the movie made about him because of this. Even for those who are anti business and anti capitalist, there is still a message here and a great story to be told and without giving anything away, the film does show some tenderness on Jobs' part and doesn't demonize the man, but instead does what any decent and accurate portrayal would do, and that is to make him human. Sure, there are things that we may be turned off about regarding Jobs and his treatment of his coworkers and business partners and right down to his own wife and daughter, but when we really look at the film we do see that there is a tenderness as I mentioned above in the mind and behaviour of Jobs and that is something that is explored throughout the film and by the end of the movie I think that is clearly seen and understood. As well as his icy coldness towards others and his ruthlessness in the business world, whereas I might not have taken the same route as him if I were in that position and you may argue that you wouldn't have either, you still have to be impressed at him as being the conductor behind the massive orchestra and business that Apple became and no matter what Jobs was like as a person, you have to acknowledge that he did know what he was doing, what he wanted and how he was going to achieve it. Plus, I am sure many of you reading this are operators of such Apple products and may be even using them now while you are reading this. Ultimately this version of Steve Jobs is filled with top notch writing, brilliant performances and excellent direction in a film that is both fascinating, in some ways a cautious tale, but all the same one that is totally human and honest and for that it is a masterpiece.