Ok, bear in mind, my friend and I saw this film at a very late showing of quarter to 11pm.
When you approach a film like this which whether you fancy watching it or not, is a film about the importance of our everyday life and usage of technology that shapes our very existence, you tend to predict its "Oscar worthy" aura and intellectual package somewhat.
And most films that involve actors portraying influential people that are tagged with "potential Oscar nominated film" titles are usually long affairs and ones that demand concentration. Most late showings I attend are usually reserved for action or horror films or comedies that don't leave me overly hyper or make me think too much.
So I was approaching this film with slight hesitation as to whether my brain was going to be alert and awake as well as find enjoyment in a film that represents a product I barely use. I'm writing this on a Toshiba Laptop that uses Linux, I have an Android phone and I have a normal watch that doesn't tell me when dinner is ready. I do have an iPod Nano however, but the whereabouts of that device is under investigation... Anyway, back to the movie, I know it was written by Aaron Sorkin, writer of Social Network. Now you have to be ignorant to not compare Social Network and Steve Jobs. This isn't a film about a dog looking for his chew toy, its another social commentary drama about products, business, loyalty, money, success, trust and modern culture.
So if you remember Social Network and how intellectual and wordy the script was for that, then you know what to expect from Steve Jobs. And at 11.30pm by the time the adverts had finished, it was time to have your head taken off by superfluous and long winded dialogue that blows your short attention spans to smithereens. Time to tuck into my Wine Gums and Popcorn.
The film threw us straight into the swing of things with a throwback into Apple's launch of the Mackintosh and from there, Danny Boyle's direction was just one slick, fluid motion. Hardly any cuts, edits, chops, transitions or establishment shots, minus a quick cut-in shot, the whole first near-hour was just one big scene with the camera following the principle characters wandering from room to room, from one dialogue to the next in a seamless sweep. It made the scene which was to establish the preparation of a huge event come off to the viewer as a much more realistic one with tension in the air. Every move, deep breath, expression, action and gesture is shown and every interaction follows the previous one in a sort of choreography. No sentence seemed edited which made it all the more impressive to see how the actors pulled off such immense dialogue without a break in between, especially Michael Fassbender who was dominating the opening scene with swift conviction.
Danny Boyle, who directed this film is widely recognised for innovative and revolutionary films like Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire as well as the Artistic Director of a truly epic 2012 Summer Olympic opening ceremony which captured the hearts of many viewers. But this film didn't feel like the traditional Boyle'esque film. That isn't a criticism, just a testament on how Boyle can adapt his style and explore new ways to directing his movies. What we're used to with the themes of Boyle's previous works is observing a man's perseverance, overcoming the odds and making things happen, and its prevalent in Steve Jobs throughout.
What was interesting about watching this film against The Social Network is that even if you can't comprehend all the technical mumbo jumbo and catch up with the frenetic and exhausting speed in which the character's discuss problems and philosophy etc, you still feel glued to the story. Perhaps its the commanding presence of Fassbender or how I literally forgot that Kate Winslet was even in the film due to how she completely transformed herself unrecogniseably into her part. The characters were also very likeable. This is a contrast to how Jessie Eisenberg portrays Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg in the Social Network (who in his own right is a bit of an unlikeable fella), but Eisenberg's familiar character styles in many of his films are quite pretentious and annoying, Fassbender isn't, in fact, even when he's being an asshole, its enjoyable to watch.
I likened the aura and behavior of Steve Jobs to my friend as a "Passionate asshole" - someone who probably treats you like crap or tosses you aside like some old technology (Sorry for the lame analogy) but you can't help but be sucked in by his charisma and charm. He's one of those assholes that you want to be or want to impress, not walk away from and hope he gets hit by a car. (Well, that's how I felt by watching him, others may differ in opinion.)
Seth Rogan's appearance made me groan at first. I was anticipating a line about smoking weed and getting high and slapstick one liners that you know Rogan may have improvised into the screenplay but instead, I was VERY pleasantly surprised with his inclusion into the film. He played his part really well and was very watchable, probably his best work EVER, and it was a serious role. Trustworthy casting there.
The only downside I can give this film which for me and my friend was minor, but when you look at the length of the film and the theme throughout, could be a big hindrance, is the fact that every scene, (seamless or not), every conversation, every dramatic plot line, was like one-big-continuous-argument. I'm talking about an argument that is worded in metaphorical, melodic and intellectual ways only Sorkin and the like can achieve that also makes you fear for every time another character walks in and gets suckered into an argument themselves. I mean it was quite comical, I was half expecting a janitor to walk in as an extra and then get into a monologue about why life is so complex or something. Its like the West Wing; (Another Sorkin tour-de-force) - dialogue heavy, lots and lots of bickering and words squeezed into quick sentences and you kind of wonder if people are actually THAT witty and THAT expressive or opinionated, it felt like it would never end. Don't get me wrong, it notched up the tension and showcased Fassbender's ability to act and demonstrate a variety of emotions but I couldn't help but demand a moment of peace and for a character to just say something generic. Kind of felt like I was being told how dumb and inferior my brain is after watching those guys converse with each other.
Besides all that, the film was swift and educated to the viewer some of Steve Job's timeline and invited us into the world (maybe slightly Hollywood'ised and embellished) of entrepreneurs and ambitious dreams and goals and was enjoyable to watch for the acting and cinematography.
I think for fans of Apple and technology and its advancements, you want to pay tribute to Steve Jobs and investigate the man behind the ideas and the inventions, for guys like me that is lucky if he knows what number the latest iPhone is on, the film is an interesting insight into the progression of a man and a company that became a staple into most people's lives, even subconsciously or unintentionally.
If you are looking into how the iPhone was created or why the world is obsessed with apps and smart phones or a glimpse into the open world displaying the wonderful things that everyday people do with their phones, then this film doesn't have it, its more of a "backstage drama" of the relationships, hierarchies and politics that enveloped Steve Jobs and either dictated him or made him more ambitious.
Steve Jobs: - 4 toilet trips out 5
Benj - The man who misses buttons on a phone.
When you approach a film like this which whether you fancy watching it or not, is a film about the importance of our everyday life and usage of technology that shapes our very existence, you tend to predict its "Oscar worthy" aura and intellectual package somewhat.
And most films that involve actors portraying influential people that are tagged with "potential Oscar nominated film" titles are usually long affairs and ones that demand concentration. Most late showings I attend are usually reserved for action or horror films or comedies that don't leave me overly hyper or make me think too much.
So I was approaching this film with slight hesitation as to whether my brain was going to be alert and awake as well as find enjoyment in a film that represents a product I barely use. I'm writing this on a Toshiba Laptop that uses Linux, I have an Android phone and I have a normal watch that doesn't tell me when dinner is ready. I do have an iPod Nano however, but the whereabouts of that device is under investigation... Anyway, back to the movie, I know it was written by Aaron Sorkin, writer of Social Network. Now you have to be ignorant to not compare Social Network and Steve Jobs. This isn't a film about a dog looking for his chew toy, its another social commentary drama about products, business, loyalty, money, success, trust and modern culture.
So if you remember Social Network and how intellectual and wordy the script was for that, then you know what to expect from Steve Jobs. And at 11.30pm by the time the adverts had finished, it was time to have your head taken off by superfluous and long winded dialogue that blows your short attention spans to smithereens. Time to tuck into my Wine Gums and Popcorn.
The film threw us straight into the swing of things with a throwback into Apple's launch of the Mackintosh and from there, Danny Boyle's direction was just one slick, fluid motion. Hardly any cuts, edits, chops, transitions or establishment shots, minus a quick cut-in shot, the whole first near-hour was just one big scene with the camera following the principle characters wandering from room to room, from one dialogue to the next in a seamless sweep. It made the scene which was to establish the preparation of a huge event come off to the viewer as a much more realistic one with tension in the air. Every move, deep breath, expression, action and gesture is shown and every interaction follows the previous one in a sort of choreography. No sentence seemed edited which made it all the more impressive to see how the actors pulled off such immense dialogue without a break in between, especially Michael Fassbender who was dominating the opening scene with swift conviction.
Danny Boyle, who directed this film is widely recognised for innovative and revolutionary films like Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire as well as the Artistic Director of a truly epic 2012 Summer Olympic opening ceremony which captured the hearts of many viewers. But this film didn't feel like the traditional Boyle'esque film. That isn't a criticism, just a testament on how Boyle can adapt his style and explore new ways to directing his movies. What we're used to with the themes of Boyle's previous works is observing a man's perseverance, overcoming the odds and making things happen, and its prevalent in Steve Jobs throughout.
What was interesting about watching this film against The Social Network is that even if you can't comprehend all the technical mumbo jumbo and catch up with the frenetic and exhausting speed in which the character's discuss problems and philosophy etc, you still feel glued to the story. Perhaps its the commanding presence of Fassbender or how I literally forgot that Kate Winslet was even in the film due to how she completely transformed herself unrecogniseably into her part. The characters were also very likeable. This is a contrast to how Jessie Eisenberg portrays Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg in the Social Network (who in his own right is a bit of an unlikeable fella), but Eisenberg's familiar character styles in many of his films are quite pretentious and annoying, Fassbender isn't, in fact, even when he's being an asshole, its enjoyable to watch.
I likened the aura and behavior of Steve Jobs to my friend as a "Passionate asshole" - someone who probably treats you like crap or tosses you aside like some old technology (Sorry for the lame analogy) but you can't help but be sucked in by his charisma and charm. He's one of those assholes that you want to be or want to impress, not walk away from and hope he gets hit by a car. (Well, that's how I felt by watching him, others may differ in opinion.)
Seth Rogan's appearance made me groan at first. I was anticipating a line about smoking weed and getting high and slapstick one liners that you know Rogan may have improvised into the screenplay but instead, I was VERY pleasantly surprised with his inclusion into the film. He played his part really well and was very watchable, probably his best work EVER, and it was a serious role. Trustworthy casting there.
The only downside I can give this film which for me and my friend was minor, but when you look at the length of the film and the theme throughout, could be a big hindrance, is the fact that every scene, (seamless or not), every conversation, every dramatic plot line, was like one-big-continuous-argument. I'm talking about an argument that is worded in metaphorical, melodic and intellectual ways only Sorkin and the like can achieve that also makes you fear for every time another character walks in and gets suckered into an argument themselves. I mean it was quite comical, I was half expecting a janitor to walk in as an extra and then get into a monologue about why life is so complex or something. Its like the West Wing; (Another Sorkin tour-de-force) - dialogue heavy, lots and lots of bickering and words squeezed into quick sentences and you kind of wonder if people are actually THAT witty and THAT expressive or opinionated, it felt like it would never end. Don't get me wrong, it notched up the tension and showcased Fassbender's ability to act and demonstrate a variety of emotions but I couldn't help but demand a moment of peace and for a character to just say something generic. Kind of felt like I was being told how dumb and inferior my brain is after watching those guys converse with each other.
Besides all that, the film was swift and educated to the viewer some of Steve Job's timeline and invited us into the world (maybe slightly Hollywood'ised and embellished) of entrepreneurs and ambitious dreams and goals and was enjoyable to watch for the acting and cinematography.
I think for fans of Apple and technology and its advancements, you want to pay tribute to Steve Jobs and investigate the man behind the ideas and the inventions, for guys like me that is lucky if he knows what number the latest iPhone is on, the film is an interesting insight into the progression of a man and a company that became a staple into most people's lives, even subconsciously or unintentionally.
If you are looking into how the iPhone was created or why the world is obsessed with apps and smart phones or a glimpse into the open world displaying the wonderful things that everyday people do with their phones, then this film doesn't have it, its more of a "backstage drama" of the relationships, hierarchies and politics that enveloped Steve Jobs and either dictated him or made him more ambitious.
Steve Jobs: - 4 toilet trips out 5
Benj - The man who misses buttons on a phone.