Movie Information
Release Date: October 23, 2015
Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), Walter Isaacson (book “Steve Jobs”)
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Luis Salazar (uncredited), Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Vanessa Ross, Perla Haney-Jardine, John Ortiz, Makenzie Moss, Jackie Dallas, Adam Shapiro, Alice Aoki, Stephanie Johnston, Ripley Sobo, AnnaCorey, Alisha Mullally
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 122 minutes
Production Company: Universal Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions, The Mark Gordon Company, Management 360 Decibel Films, Cloud Eight Films
Genre: Biography, Drama
Language: English
Country: USA
Budget: $30,000,000
So there was already a major swing and miss covering the late Steve Jobs back in 2013. It didn’t do the man justice in any way, so another is now up to the task. This time director Danny Boyle is up to bat, and it seems like he has done his homework. Knowing the plot was a kind of its own, I was skeptical about how this edition would turn out. I’m glad to say it’s one to remember, and will have everyone buzzing about its achievements. This was a lovely film covering the key moments in Steve Jobs’ career, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It’s difficult to say whose performance was the best, for the entire cast pulled out their “A” game. Saying that Steve Jobs will receive praise and attention is an understatement. It definitely deserves the glory it will soon receive, as it gains more popularity. The dialog is impossible not to enjoy as it keeps you gripped and at the edge of your seat.
It’s no secret that Aaron Sorkin can write well. Time after time, he delivers the best screenplay money can buy. He does it again without question, and it leaves you begging for more. Who knew that crafting a script into only a few scenes could land such a powerful blow? The room is dark, the lights are bright, and all you have are the actors. The performances are the wind that keeps this sail afloat. They’re so great, it goes beyond the sea into the breathtaking clouds above. The direction and editing were crucial, performed swiftly with surgical precision. It was remarkable, and you’re helpless taking it all in. Sorkin and Boyle set up a chess game of dialogue, with the passion raised to the tenth degree. So like grandmasters, Fassbender, Winslet, Rogen, and Daniel showed up to give the performances of their lifetime.
It’d be a shame to ask someone to pick the best performance. The safe bet may be Michael Fassbender, but Kate Winslet (Joanna Hoffman) is right behind him. She was unrecognizable at first and completely embraced in her role. Joanna was an important player in Jobs’ life, and the director made sure you knew that. Winslet played her as a woman who’s proud, stays in her lane, but will cross it if necessary. There are a number of rumors involving Steve Jobs life, behind the scenes of his company. Seth Rogen (Steve Wozniak) brought that to life. If his character was a representation of the frustration that the surrounding parties went through, it was heard loud and clear, and had its mark on the film.
There isn’t much to complain about. Michael Fassbender’s performance was a top-notch “A+”, and the word “Oscar” comes to mind. The passion he showed depicting Jobs’ passion was brilliant, and the only choice you have is to respect it. I soaked up every word of dialog as it fired like bullets. The stage is set in multiple ways being a true theatrical experience. Every moment in time is ticking, and you’re anticipating who will achieve the last word. It’s like the World Championship Debate match, as you watch their words create history.
There are countless stories and rumors about who Steve Jobs really was. Some said he was ambitious, and while others say he was a boisterous bully. He may be both, and this film captured it all. What he is above all else is – respected. His passion took him to a league of his own, and he may be considered a genius. If you have any doubts of that notion, this film will clear up that debate. It warrants multiple viewings, and has the perfect ending. I’ll be shocked if during the awards, he isn’t one of the favorite contenders to win.