Review 368: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is a remarkable bio pic, an engrossing character study and a showcase for the immaculate talents of director Danny Boyle and star Michael Fassbender.

Based on the biography Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson, the film follows fourteen years (1984-1998) in the life of personal computer inventor and Apple Founder Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender), with each of the films three acts taking place before the launch of a major Apple product: the Apple Macintosh, the NeXT Computer and the iMac.

The plot is a work of genius and another testament to the writing talents of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin

This film is very much a three act play, with each act taking place during a specific year in Steve Jobs' life. Reflecting this structure is the descision to tell this story across three different time periods: 1984, 1988 and finally 1998. Each time period is shot on three different and destinct film formats: 16mm for 1984, 35mm for 1988 and finally digital for 1998. This shooting style, gives the film a tangible sense of technological advancement and visually reflects Jobs' own development at that time.

The asks questions: Who was Steve Jobs, Why was he the way he was?

Self reflection: Throughout the third act of the film, set in 1998, has Jobs go on a journey of self reflection as he

Danny Boyle's direction is assured and confident, the cinematography is stunning and captures the look and feel of the three different time periods the film covers and the different formats its shot on. The production design (recreating 1984-1998) is terrific, the score by Daniel Pemberton is excellent and unique in the way it uses different instruments and musical styles to reflect the different time periods the film covers. The costumes are splendid and the ending has a large amount of poignancy to it.

The acting is splendid all round, Michael Fassbender (in another showcase of his talents) gives a beautifully portraying Jobs as a complicated, multifaceted man who was passionate about his vision.

Kate Winslet is outstanding playing Jonanna Hoffman, Apple and NeXT marketing manager and Jobs' confidant.

Katherine Waterston is also very strong playing Chrisann Brennan, Jobs' ex-girlfriend and mother to his estranged daughter Lisa.

Jeff Daniels

Seth Rogen

5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.