Review of Steve Jobs (2015) by Foxgrove — 15 Nov 2015

Set backstage at the time of three different product launches in as many years: -1984; 1988 and 1998, this overly literate take concerning events in the life of the iconic Steve Jobs suffers from a screenplay that seems too pleased with itself by half. Divided into three acts, encompassing each year stated, the film feels theatrical in its presentation right down to the fact that most of it does actually take place on, or around, a stage. After a while all the talk begins to feel like reading a book that lacks punctuation. For the first two acts the more it plays, the more it pays in diminishing returns. This is due to the constant and rapid verbosity which, because the corporate musings don’t always seem clear, has the unfortunate effect of causing one to tune in and out as the interest wanes. Things improve decidedly in act three. Here director, writer and actors find synergy in three stand out scenes, where some humanity comes to the fore after having been noticeably absent in acts 1 and 2. As if the film is aware that it is a talk fest we are also often treated to scenes of the actors walking (and talking) down corridors.

If I have some issues with the script, which is also at times brilliant, there are no such reservations with the actors. Having appeared in two films this year (Macbeth is the other) in which his performance has been better than the movie itself, Michael Fassbender is a knockout. It matters not a jot that he doesn’t look like the real person, as his chameleon like ability to get under the skin of a character stands him in good stead. It is the essence he brings to the part that one feels. Kate Winslet is also fantastic in a larger role than anticipated. She appears de-glammed, human and without any affectations of a star. She is again wonderful.

If ever a film could be considered mixed in its achievement it is this one. Disappointing it may well be, but by the end it does sort of win you over.