Computer boffins are the new gods. Developing a cult
following, some have revolutionised the way society works. Steve Jobs was
one such person. A major driving force in Apple computers, his digital
ideas sparked discussion on how to further the computer market. Making
such a person seem interesting is difficult for film although ‘Steve Jobs’
gamely tries. Attempting to strip away the techno-babble to present an
intimate portrait, ‘Steve Jobs’ reveals a seemingly ordinary person with an extraordinary
mind.
Developing a passion for technological advances, Steve Jobs
(Michael Fassbender) pushes his theories to the limits. Helped by friends
Joanna (Kate Winslet) and Steve (Seth Rogen), he puts his thoughts into
action. Creating new ways of using computers, his vision sees him become
a celebrity. Preaching to the masses, the computerised religion following
his wake reaches an apex. Soon personal issues threaten to derail his
work as the computer age runs towards its zenith.
Directed by Danny Boyle, ‘Steve Jobs’ occasionally offers an
intriguing insight into a genius. Although terrible at personal
relationships, his passion for computers shone. Like most artists of any
persuasion, his self-belief in creating his own work of art caused angst with
those with whom he dealt. Boyle’s direction teases out these elements
well even if overall ‘Steve Jobs’ doesn’t really work. Fassbender and
Winslet in particular work hard in humanising someone who the history books are
already putting into saint-like folklore.
‘Steve Jobs’ falters in the way it tells the story. As usual
with biographical films, it assumes certain conversations and events for
dramatic purposes. Sometimes this works although take away his
technological talents, Steve Jobs wasn’t as fascinating as others
believed. Basically an emotionally blank-slate, Jobs’ sparse interaction
with his friends robs the movie of any impact. This results in an often
slow moving film resorting to long speeches and a jumbled time-line fleetingly
showing Jobs at work.
Perhaps one needs to be a die-hard fan of the subject to
appreciate ‘Steve Jobs’. Offering only a modicum of viewing satisfaction,
the big screen treatment of his endeavours falls flat. If he had created
an app for making such bio-pics more exciting his skills may have delivered
more awe than this stilted film.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 6
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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