First Impressions of 'Steve Jobs' Film: 'Thrilling... an Action Movie Driven Almost Exclusively by Words'

[jasonklee]

Hey everyone!

I actually just saw STEVE JOBS yesterday. I'm a regular at the Telluride Film Festival and Danny Boyle loves premiering his films here.

First and foremost, I agree with the excellent reviews. Everything from the acting to the cinematography was fantastic. The pace and structuring of the film is a stroke of genius. Sorkin's dialogue, while fast paced, is well matched with the film's overall hectic pace (which makes sense considering that every scene takes place just minutes before Steve has to go out on stage).

Without going into a complete review of the film, I do think it important to note that the film is a painting, not a textbook. Almost from the first moment, the movie does not expect you to believe that this is how these events played out. There is a fantastical element at play here that really, really works. Every moment and word spoken is based on fact, but acceptably moved around in order to create a completely unique experience that is more of a collage of Steve Jobs (and Woz and Scully for that matter). This makes Fassbender's casting infinitely more accessible. By accepting the level of suspension of disbelief that the film earns right away, it never once bothered me that Fassbender's doesn't look much like Jobs.

I should note that I've read both STEVE JOBS and INSIDE APPLE, and am an avid reader of Macrumors. I have been quite skeptical from Day 1 that this movie would be any good at all. What Boyle and Sorkin have made here is really something unique and masterfully crafted. But to enjoy it, is to understand that this is not a literal adaptation of Jobs's life. It is a rendition of the man. The film is more like the Bob Dylan "biopic" I'M NOT THERE than it is the Johnny Cash biopic WALK THE LINE. The movie is a dizzying, frenetic telling of Steve's creation of the Mac, ousting, and glorious return. In fact, it's reasonable to say it's closer to a memoir, than it is a biography. But even then, that definition is too constrained for what this film attempts. In the end, it's an interpretation of why Steve Jobs came to be the man he was.

Would love to add more, but I'm typing on my phone, awaiting one last film

Wasn't the ending just so majestic? Possible Oscar noms all around, but most definitely one for Sorkin.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Does anyone here think this movie will be good and not cliche Hollywood BS. Was not a fan of the social network.

I would WAY rather an in depth documentary over a movie like this. Same goes for Straight Outta Compton movie. Would've way rather a documentary so we can get some accurate info

A movie by its nature is sensationalized. You can't fit all these important details into a movie and expect it to be thoroughly complete. Plus, how much money is a legit documentary is going to make in the theaters. I'm pretty sure there are many other mediums out there that will satisfy your need for accuracy (tv documentaries, autobiographies, wikipedia??). ARGO (based on a true story) was one of the best movies when it came out. It was FAR from accurate, but it captured and sensationalized the tension that the characters had to endure, and it was entertaining.

 

[NDRes]

Boyle's pulled off this "non-action movie action movie" feel before. Check out the kinetic style of 127 Hours despite the fact that it's a guy stuck to a boulder for 90 minutes.

12 Angry Men.

The action of 12 guys in two rooms for a feature length film.

You got pulled in.

 

[Gasu E.]

He always has characters talking three times as fast, firing off tons of witty responses, manifestos and jargon all to sound "intelligent" and "important". Worse the lines are always delivered with that flat sarcasm of a depressed teenage girl who wears a lot of black.

Ha, love your comment! Those lines could have been written by Sorkin himself! But, in truth, an equally catty characterization could have been made of William Shakespeare by a contemporary. There's nothing wrong with stylistic dialogue, and some of it actually has lasting value.

 

[Gasu E.]

12 Angry Men.

The action of 12 guys in two rooms for a feature length film.

You got pulled in.

It's true. Kinetic camerawork can create a sense of action even in a static setting.

 

[Gasu E.]

It's a movie about some guy who ran a technology company? We are not talking statesman, war hero, or some other great figure in history.

The worlds gone totally mad - personally I would rather watch an episode of the Simpsons.

So in The Simpsons, who is the great figure you enjoy watching? Mayor Quimby?

 

[Lankyman]

huh? lots of movies about al Capone or Jesse James etc

or are they to be considered a 'great figure in history'?

how do you judge a movie like Nixon? (statesman but questionable greatness)

how about The Aviator (ldc as Howard Hughes)?

what are you talking about?

Hmm! three criminals and a millionaire. Not really Lincoln or Churchill then. I suppose on reflection SJ may have more in common with the former.

 

[Lankyman]

So in The Simpsons, who is the great figure you enjoy watching? Mayor Quimby?

It was meant to be a tongue in cheek quip. The analogy being watching paint dry or watching a movie about SJ. There has been a myriad of documentaries about the guy since his death. What more is there to know, the mans hardly had time to go cold.

Two choices - root canal work at the dentist or watch this movie?

 

[Lankyman]

Sorry, but if you really can't see the impact Steve Jobs/Apple had on our todays lives.. I can't help you.

One could argue Bill Gates more so. One might also question if that impact was for the betterment of man and society or not.

 

[freediverx]

Sounds like the "witty" characters in Game of Thrones. I hope that some day, things like that go away, and people look back on it like we look back on the horrible acting in 70s TV shows.

So you dislike Game of Thrones? Please entertain us with a sampling of TV shows you like.

 

[veddies13]

Hahahaha Wow. If thats the best way to describe the movie than it's probably going to suck. If you want an accurate version of the story try watching the movie titled: Pirates of Silicon Valley.

Some people wants facts. Some people want experiences. Films provide a variety of opportunities to the viewer.

 

[freediverx]

Hahahaha Wow. If thats the best way to describe the movie than it's probably going to suck. If you want an accurate version of the story try watching the movie titled: Pirates of Silicon Valley.

You can learn more from a brilliant dramatization than from a poorly executed documentary.

 

[freediverx]

Hmm! three criminals and a millionaire. Not really Lincoln or Churchill then. I suppose on reflection SJ may have more in common with the former.

If we include Churchill that would make four.

 

[freediverx]

One could argue Bill Gates more so. One might also question if that impact was for the betterment of man and society or not.

As far as their respective companies go, Apple has undoubtedly been a force for good in technology while Microsoft sunk the industry into a corporate-controlled dark age in the 90s and early 00's.

Gates, like the robber barons that preceded him, is now embarking on much publicized charitable donations to polish up his legacy and drown out all the harm he did while amassing his wealth. Also, the focus of his charity is not as benign as you suggest.

Gates Foundation Critique
http://techrights.org/wiki/index.php/Gates_Foundation_Critique
Through the foundation, Bill, Melinda and Microsoft maintain pharmaceutical patent investments, tobacco investments, investments in alcoholic beverages, petroleum investments, investments in experimental and controversial crops, and even investments in news/media.

ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, DynCorp, G4S, Walmart and McDonald’s are just a few of the companies that the mega ‘charity’ supports.
http://www.hangthebankers.com/the-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-exposed/

The Plot Against Public Education
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/the-plot-against-public-education-111630

 

[maxsix]

Proving Apples not the only company that's good at Hyping their Work

 

[Sloppy.Joe]

Is he also in the film or does it only cover the early years of Apple.

Opps I ment Eddy Cue:

Very disappointed in SJ:Man in the Machine. An inaccurate and mean-spirited view of my friend. It's not a reflection of the Steve I knew.

— Eddy Cue (@Cue) March 16, 2015

 

[tonyp1222]

Opps I ment Eddy Cue:

Very disappointed in SJ:Man in the Machine. An inaccurate and mean-spirited view of my friend. It's not a reflection of the Steve I knew.

— Eddy Cue (@Cue) March 16, 2015

Ben Thompson of Stratechery was also a bit "eh" on it from his own viewing. Not that he thought it was bad or inaccurate, but all too dismissive of the impact of Apple and technology (specifically smartphones) on society.

From his newsletter today:

Unfortunately, Gibney never gives this very compelling question a chance to breathe; sprinkled throughout the documentary are lines like:

• "Is [making products] enough?"
• "It's a business that only exists to make money. Nothing more."
• "It's just a phone."
• "He was a hero in the Valley because he made buckets of money."
• "A phone is not a mythical device."

Gibney's blindspot is right there: he thinks the iPhone is just a phone, just a product, just a way to make money.

Over the last week, as the world has been transfixed by Syrian refugees making their way across Europe, a surprising undercurrent has arisen: how is it that these refugees have smartphones? It's a question that makes no sense: for one, Syria was a lower middle-income country before the current conflict began, for another, very capable smartphones can be had for well under $100. Small wonder over 4 billion of them have been sold. Moreover, the smartphones are very much changing the refugee experience in some very important ways. From a fascinating article in The New York Times:

(LONG NYTIMES EXCERPT)

Avoiding human traffickers, finding clean water, not getting bombed, your only link to your dead wife: these are all just as much a part of Jobs' and the iPhones' legacy as backdated options. Gibney's dismissal of the devices that make this possible as "just phones" isn't much different than the assumption that refugees ought not have smartphones at all.

 

[Lankyman]

As far as their respective companies go, Apple has undoubtedly been a force for good in technology while Microsoft sunk the industry into a corporate-controlled dark age in the 90s and early 00's.

Gates, like the robber barons that preceded him, is now embarking on much publicized charitable donations to polish up his legacy and drown out all the harm he did while amassing his wealth. Also, the focus of his charity is not as benign as you suggest.

Gates Foundation Critique
http://techrights.org/wiki/index.php/Gates_Foundation_Critique
Through the foundation, Bill, Melinda and Microsoft maintain pharmaceutical patent investments, tobacco investments, investments in alcoholic beverages, petroleum investments, investments in experimental and controversial crops, and even investments in news/media.

ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, DynCorp, G4S, Walmart and McDonald’s are just a few of the companies that the mega ‘charity’ supports.
http://www.hangthebankers.com/the-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-exposed/

The Plot Against Public Education
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/the-plot-against-public-education-111630

I would much prefer Bill Gates in my camp than Steve Jobs any day of the week. Talk about being swayed by biased partial reporting.

 

[billy the fish]

Who cares about another movie about Jobs?

The apple of today is just a luxury fashion brand for dumb rich people. RIP Apple.

Luxury ?. Rich people.. Really.. U can buy a brand new contract ip6 In the uk for under 40 pounds sterling a month.. Get over yourselves.. Its a white good, made by slave kids in China for pennies..

 

[C DM]

It was meant to be a tongue in cheek quip. The analogy being watching paint dry or watching a movie about SJ. There has been a myriad of documentaries about the guy since his death. What more is there to know, the mans hardly had time to go cold.

Two choices - root canal work at the dentist or watch this movie?

What defines a myriad?

As for the last question, the complete absurdity of it clearly shows the inherent bias, and with a bias that strong and obvious pretty much anything that might be said is moot.

 

[sudo1996]

So you dislike Game of Thrones? Please entertain us with a sampling of TV shows you like.

The Simpsons (older episodes). Everybody Hates Chris. Star Trek (original series).

BTW, I was complaining about a certain aspect of Game of Thrones, not the show as a whole, but I also don't see why the show is hyped. I mean, it's OK despite the really cheesy lines. Watched about 10 episodes with my friends then stopped because I'd rather get my work done instead, but I'd maybe watch it if I had nothing else to do. Think of all the other shows that were hyped in the past and look like absolute junk now.

 

[sudo1996]

Hahahaha Wow. If thats the best way to describe the movie than it's probably going to suck. If you want an accurate version of the story try watching the movie titled: Pirates of Silicon Valley.

There's a difference between it being inaccurate and sucking.

 

[sudo1996]

I hate fiction and don't usually watch movies. I would prefer a documentary on the subject - not an "acted" recreation of events. I guess I'll wait for something more accurate to appear in the future.

I've found there are already many YouTube videos of Steve Jobs speaking and doin keynotes. I'm not sure a movie is even needed if you can go back and watch it from the man himself.

Sometimes, a semi-fictional movie can tell more about the subject than a documentary. A documentary lists the facts. You might as well watch the original recordings on YouTube, as you said. A semi-fictional movie, on the other hand, can interpret the subject a certain way by exaggerating certain things and sometimes adding some plausible fiction just to get the point across better, exposing the viewers to a set of opinions about the topic. BUT this movie is probably going to be total fiction loosely based on a real topic, so it's probably nothing for you to be interested in.

 

[Alumeenium]

Ben Thompson of Stratechery was also a bit "eh" on it from his own viewing. Not that he thought it was bad or inaccurate, but all too dismissive of the impact of Apple and technology (specifically smartphones) on society.

Mobile has taken over regardless of the iPhones wondrous Touchscreen, remember Palm and HTC both had a Touchscreens before Apple came out with one too. Sure it was a mass market product. However Those Syrian Refugees you mention probably don't have iPhones, only the US subsidizes phones with contracts, everywhere else in the world people have to pay $600+ for an iPhone... iPhone was simply Apple adapting to market conditions of the Mobile Internet, Yes it was a hit, however growth has flatlined since the market is saturated, everyones 3yr old smartphone is "good enough" for texting and reading email. Yes the 6S will sell a few million, no doubt, but expecting another 'rabbit out of the hat' leap forward is idiocy.

Also Sorkin is a Hack who loves having three characters talk at the same time,
and Fassbender has the acting chops of a Robot (Prometheus)

 

[tonyp1222]

Mobile has taken over regardless of the iPhones wondrous Touchscreen, remember Palm and HTC both had a Touchscreens before Apple came out with one too. Sure it was a mass market product. However Those Syrian Refugees you mention probably don't have iPhones, only the US subsidizes phones with contracts, everywhere else in the world people have to pay $600+ for an iPhone... iPhone was simply Apple adapting to market conditions of the Mobile Internet, Yes it was a hit, however growth has flatlined since the market is saturated, everyones 3yr old smartphone is "good enough" for texting and reading email. Yes the 6S will sell a few million, no doubt, but expecting another 'rabbit out of the hat' leap forward is idiocy.

Also Sorkin is a Hack who loves having three characters talk at the same time,
and Fassbender has the acting chops of a Robot (Prometheus)

His point was that the modern smartphone - from form factor to functionality - more or less started with the iPhone's success. Without the iPhone, the smartphone market would be a very different category and the devices would look, feel, and behave differently.