The film “Steve Jobs” is like a play in three acts. Each act depicts the events building up to three product launches: the Apple Macintosh, the NeXT Computer and the iMac.
Every segment gives us a glimpse into the life of the Apple co-founder in his possibly most stressful moments. This is a very clever concept because a person is most likely to reveal his true feelings in turbulent and dramatic times. The script writer, Aaron Sorkin, utilises this to the full extent as nearly every discourse is a rollercoaster of emotions. The characters all reoccur in the different acts, all shrewdly hinting at the act before and challenging the main character in unexpected ways. The dialogue is perfect: every word is brilliantly placed, making the conversations captivating. The script ingeniously interweaves the three acts into one gripping tale. At the end of the film one has the impression of understanding – at least a little bit – who Steve Jobs was: the aim of a biopic is fulfilled.
Fortunately the film boasts gifted actors who can deliver the great script. Michael Fassbender does an incredible job on his portrayal of Steve Jobs. Seth Rogen (as Steve Wozniak), Kate Winslet (as Joanna Hoffman), Jeff Daniels (as John Sculley) and Michael Stuhlbarg (as Andy Hertzfeld) are indispensable for the chemistry and certainly can all hold a candle to Fassbender.
It was daring of Aaron Sorkin to only show the events before the product launch, yet excluding the actual presentation. But it works fantastically: the focus is laid on authentic and fragile human characters with all their flaws instead of a rehearsed and manufactured presentation.
The film is a magnificent tribute to Steve Jobs.
“Steve Jobs” opens on November 12th, 2015.
Watch the trailer HERE
Written by Jesse Lieberman
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image: © 2015 Universal Pictures
