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October 7, 2015 By iluvcinema 3 Comments

NYFF53 Recap: Steve Jobs (2015)

In the coming days leading up the theatrical release of Danny Boyle‘s Steve Jobs, I am sure you will hear/read the phrase “artful presentation” in some form or another. This post is no different 🙂

MICHAEL FASSBENDER portrays the pioneering founder of Apple in ?Steve Jobs?, directed by Academy Award? winner Danny Boyle and written by Academy Award? winner Aaron Sorkin. Set backstage in the minutes before three iconic product launches spanning Jobs? career?beginning with the Macintosh in 1984, and ending with the unveiling of the iMac in 1998?the film takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.
MICHAEL FASSBENDER portrays the pioneering founder of Apple in Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs is set up in three “acts,” centering on the moments prior to Jobs taking the stage to launch: the first Macintosh (in 1984), the Jobs’ post-Apple venture Next (in 1988) and lastly, the first iMac (in 1998).

Each of these events is punctuated by Jobs’ interactions with those who were closest to him, namely:

  • Macintosh team member and confidant Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet),
  • Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen),
  • former Apple CEO John Sculley (Jeff Daniels),
  • former girlfriend and mother of his first child, Chrisann Brennan (Katherine Waterston)
  • Andy Hertzfeld (Michael Stuhlbarg) , a member of the original Mac team, and
  • his first child, daughter Lisa Brennan-Jobs (played by Perla Haney-Jardine, Ripley Sobo, and Makenzie Moss, respectively at different ages).

It is in these expository moments (woven with the present and past) that we are offered a revealing insight into the inner workings of a man whose personal life and interpersonal relations seemed at odds with the control he exerted in his professional endeavors.

I find it interesting that, although the film is loosely adapted by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network) from Walter Isaacson’s 2011 authorized biography of the same name (with additional information culled from interviews conducted by Sorkin himself), the film reaches its end in 1998, over a decade before Jobs’ passing. As you watch the film come to a close, you realize that this is not needed – the film has told you the story it wanted to effectively.

Initially I was not entirely sold on Michael Fassbender as Jobs (there I said it). When I saw the early trailers, all I could think was “hey, that’s Michael Fassbender.” Maybe it had something to do with not thinking Fassbender and Jobs shared any likeness, in either face or voice. But as I sat watching his performance, all those reservations floated away out of my head. I was taken in so much so that at one point during one of these “acts,” it took everything in my power not to get up and applaud what I had just seen on screen.

As (semi) regular readers to this site can attest, Kate Winslet can do no wrong in my book (not even in The Holiday). As Joanna Hoffman, Jobs’ right-hand-woman, she delivers another solid performance. And the same can be said for all of the ensemble – they  all deserve a round of applause for their work.

Steve Jobs (MICHAEL FASSBENDER) with Joanna Hoffman (KATE WINSLET) in ?Steve Jobs?, directed by Academy Award? winner Danny Boyle and written by Academy Award? winner Aaron Sorkin. Set backstage in the minutes before three iconic product launches spanning Jobs? career?beginning with the Macintosh in 1984, and ending with the unveiling of the iMac in 1998?the film takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.
Steve Jobs (MICHAEL FASSBENDER) with Joanna Hoffman (KATE WINSLET) in Steve Jobs.

The performances would (obviously) be nothing without the words. Sorkin’s trademark voice is clearly present, but it is not at all intrusive. Because of the way the story is told, Sorkin has structured Steve Jobs very similar to a play. In spite of this, in its execution, it does not feel stage-y. It’s an accomplishment to be sure and a wonder to observe.

Earlier, I used the term “artful” for a reason. As anyone familiar with the work of Danny Boyle knows, that while the stories and emotions surrounding his films are all too real and grounded, there are often moments during his films that enter a fantastical realm. And, as in other examples of his oeuvre show, these “escapes” in Steve Jobs do not take you out of the story, in fact, this approach kept me engaged.

As I wrap this up, let me just say that my praise for the film does come without a ‘warning’ – if you are expecting a straightforward recounting of Jobs’ life, you will not find it here. That said, I am willing to wager that in Steve Jobs, you will find no  better telling of Steve Jobs’ life and times that captures the spirit of a complicated and complex man, who did in fact, change the world.

Steve Jobs comes out Friday in select theaters with wider release a couple of weeks later.

 

 

Photo credits: Universal Pictures

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: aaron sorkin, danny boyle, kate winslet, michael fassbender, steve jobs, steve jobs movie

November 9, 2009 By idawson Leave a Comment

Further Evidence of the Power of Kate

guardian_logonewspaper article

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: british film industry, kate winslet

May 16, 2009 By idawson 2 Comments

A Fan's Appreciation of Kate Winslet

kate

During this year’s awards season, with each award bestowed upon Kate Winslet, observers were less than impressed at time with what they considered her blubbering, drama-fraught acceptance speeches. They were primarily reflecting on the Golden Globes and the Oscars.  When I watched the speeches back, I see something very different.  I felt what the audience saw on stage was a cathartic release of sorts.  After years of being risky and taking less than conventional roles, she was finally rewarded for her efforts.  Yes, she has won awards and plaudits throughout her career but let’s face it, after being the perpetual bridesmaid, one must hope to receive the brass ring someday.

My appreciation for her body of work precedes Titanic.  Her performances in 1994’s Heavenly Creatures (directed by a pre-LOTR Peter Jackson) and 1995’s Sense and Sensibility left me in amazement of what that a person not much older than me (less than a year separate us) could accomplish.

After the out of this world success of Titanic, she could have easily gone Hollywood and become America’s English Sweetheart. Instead, she chose a series of atypical, often unglamorous roles in films such as Hideous Kinky, Holy Smoke, Quills, Enigma, Little Children, and Finding Neverland. One of my personal favorites is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which is quite simply one of the finest, most imaginative love stories I have ever seen.

Her Emmy-nominated turn as not quite herself in Extras displayed her bawdy side as well as her ability to have a laugh at her own expense.  Ironically, during this episode she laments to Ricky Gervais’ Andy Millman that the only way she is going to receive the Oscar that she so covets is to play in a Holocaust picture.

In every performance, what comes through is an individual that gives her all and does not hold back.  This is what her fans love and appreciate about her.

Filed Under: Essays Tagged With: kate winslet

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