Steve Jobs

Note: Originally written in November 2015

It's an interesting premise that the makers of this film set for it. It almost seems like, at a pre-production meeting, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin established that he is here to have fun with this script, in a very theatrical sense. And that director Danny Boyle jumped with excitement at the mere mention of fun. I say that because this flick is quaintly unlike the ventures Sorkin has long been engaged in. It still has all the trademark Sorkin features to it, a quick paced narrative, very strong and striking dialogue, intelligent characters, long tracking shots of characters talking while walking and above all, oodles of energy. This also brings in the interesting template in which this film packs most significant events from two decades of Steve Jobs' life into three product launch events and the pertinent backstage happenings. That unfolds into a very interestingly, heavily dramatized version of a biography which is thankfully more drama than biopic. Thankfully because director Danny Boyle fills the drama up with buckets of passion and heart. He is a gifted artist who can bring charm into a flick by means of quirkiness. And that's what he does here, with skewed camera angles, quick flashback cuts, moody interiors, characters gorgeously flawed yet full of life and a well picked soundtrack. The original music by Daniel Pemberton and the cinematography by Alwin H. Kuchler ably guide the film along. Fassbender, Winslet and Daniels are more than up for their jobs here (no pun intended) but Seth Rogen surprises mightily with his rare turn in a serious role. In many ways, this film is like glorious theater. It assumes an interesting premise and fills it up with exciting drama. One of those mere reasons why a lot of us fall in love with the movies.

Check out more on the film at IMDB and Letterboxd.