A key line that stood out while watching this tour de force of a film, with Michael Fassbender in the lead role of “Steve Jobs” was: I’m poorly made. Jobs utters this at a point in the film where even his level of narcissism can’t handle not showing some level of humility anymore. Make no mistake about it, whether the events played out within the film are accurate or not, Job’s was an arrogant son of a gun within the confines of this picture. Either way, it was his ego, and forward thinking that apparently carried him through the 3 major computer product launches depicted from a behind the scenes perspective in the film.
But what really makes this picture work are the acting performances across the board. If Fassbender isn’t considered for a best actor nod then I’m not sure what the criteria is for such accolades. He’s so convincing that I not only left the theater believing he was the man he was indeed portraying, but I also felt it was arguably one of the best dramatic performances I’ve seen in my 34 years on the planet.
Add to it, the supporting actors of Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels, and Seth Rogen and you have a movie that punches you in the mouth with top notch acting and dialogue delivery of Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay from beginning to end. And I have to say I never would have thought I’d be lauding an acting performance from Mr. Rogen, but he knocked it out of the park as the “brains” behind Apple’s engineering team, Steve Wozniak. Daniel’s character, the former CEO of Apple, John Sculley, has one scene in particular where the emotion, anger, and sadness written across his face is legitimately the best work he’s ever done on the big screen. Last but not least, Winslet, who plays Job’s longtime assistant, Joanna Hoffman, makes you believe she’s a bit of a tortured soul who stood by Jobs for so many years having to observe the conflicting, and maddening persona of her boss. She also manages to pull off the most convincing Polish accent I’ve ever heard in American cinema, ha!
In the end, one wouldn’t think a film that for the most part only uses a mise en scene for the behind the scenes of 3 product launches of the Mac, Next, and iMac would make for an interesting 2 hour running time. (Some flashbacks do occur) However, the film literally sucks you in from the start as Job’s is attempting to troubleshoot why the Mac won’t say “hello” for his massively important Mac product demo of 1984. His character is relentless and fascinating to watch, but all made possible no less to Fassbender’s incredible acting chops put front and center here. My only real critique of the movie is the ending feels slightly too cute and wrapped up in a bow for my blood considering the rest of the film feels much darker overall. Regardless of that, if you’re one to truly appreciate punchy, well-written dialogue, and even better acting and direction (from Danny Boyle), then do yourself a favor and go see this film! Nuff said.
3 out of 4 stars
Lastly, for nostalgia sake, here’s an actual clip from the original 1984 product launch of the Mac with Steve Jobs (the real one)….
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