Steve Jobs

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels and Seth Rogen

Directed by: Danny Boyle

Written by: Aaron Sorkin

Reviewed by: Joshua Ochoa

[rating: 5/5]

The biopic genre really needs some shaking up and that’s exactly with Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle do with Steve Jobs. Boyle directs Sorkin’s script based on the biography of the same name written by Walter Isaacson. Rather than going through all events of Steve Job’s life (like 2013’s ‘Jobs’) screenwriter Sorkin decided to just focus on three. By narrowing the focus we’re able to get to know the man Steve Jobs and the people in his life rather than just a general idea of who he is and what he has done. To quote Kate Winslet’s Joanna Hoffman “What you make isn’t supposed to be the best part of you,” and that’s exactly what the filmmakers get right.

The film stars Fassbender in the titular role with Winslet, Jeff Daniel, Seth Rogen, Michael Stuhlbarg and Katherine Waterston providing support and the whole ensemble is fantastic. But of course this film is about Steve Jobs and Fassbender is brilliant in the role. From Jobs’ speech pattern to his physical ticks, even though Fassbender doesn’t completely look like him Steve Wozniak himself said Fassbender nailed Jobs perfectly. Winslet is also a standout, being the heart of the film you can’t help but fall in love with her character. Also special mention to Makenzie Moss, Ripley Sobo and Perla Haney-Jardine who play Job’s daughter Lisa; they’re all adorable and give wonderful performances.

Biopics often go through the motions of recounting the events of the significant figure at their centre and being about what made them the public figure that they have become. Unfortunately this means that they often forget to actually be about the people that they are about. Steve Jobs is different. They’re a few screenwriters as well-known as Sorkin and he delivers a script with crackling dialogue, great perception and a whole lot of heart and catharsis. Through his script we get to know a very flawed person who achieved some great things but the most important part is that we see him as a person, warts and all. We see his growth, we see his pain and insecurities and through that we his genius. 

The technical aspects are fantastic too. The cinematography is great; they actually shot in different formats for the different timelines, using 16mm, 35mm and digital. I loved the score and am actually humming it in my head as I type. From the production design to the makeup and costuming, it’s just all perfectly realised. Even with all that said it would mean nothing if this film didn’t speak to you emotionally and it does. It’s funny, sad, honest and riveting.