Writer: Matt Whiteley
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad and Dermot Mulroney
Review Written By: Michael Dalton (Prime Minister)
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad and Dermot Mulroney
Review Written By: Michael Dalton (Prime Minister)
Jobs had a lot going against it before anybody even saw a single frame. For those of us who saw Funny or Die’s iSteve (A comedic biopic of the life of Steve Jobs starring Justin Long), it’s hard not to shake some of the jokes from that, whilst with an upcoming Aaron Sorkin scripted effort, many are putting their chips on that being the definitive Steve Jobs film. The casting of Ashton Kutcher was also one that raised eyebrows, the pretty boy who replaced Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men? As Steve Jobs? Add to that a director whose previous film was 2007’s Swing Vote (Joshua Michael Stern) and a first time screenwriter (Matt Whitely) and many were already writing off this film before it had been released. Receiving generally poor reviews it is likely Jobs will be remembered as ‘that other Steve Jobs movie with Ashton Kutcher’ once the Sorkin effort makes its bow, however while not perfect, Jobs is far from the forgettable and terrible piece many are calling it.
Funnily enough it is another Aaron Sorkin scripted film that most lingers in the mind whilst watching Jobs, The Social Network. That was a film that told the rise of a tech genius in an edgy and entertaining manner, taking risks, being both educating and engaging. Jobs is a film that doesn’t move at the same zip as that film, nor does it have its edge, with it lacking the experienced and masterful touches of the likes of David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin. The term, ‘a made for TV Social Network’ has been thrown at this film and it is easy to see why. However Jobs does have a surprisingly solid central performance from Ashton Kutcher and is not the evangelical portrayal of Steve Jobs that I expected. This is a film that isn’t afraid to show his darker, nastier side, though also one that may alienate those who aren’t already engaged and interested in this tale of the rise of Apple.
This is a film that paints in very broad strokes and at times is blatantly divorced from the truth in moments of melodrama. It is a film that all too frequently dives into cheesiness as we have characters emotionally and dramatically making monologues that feel ripped from Hollywood, rather than something which would have been said at the time, striking a jarring contrast with the real life story this film is attempting to tell. As well as it’s broadness, this is an over two hour film which feels it and it definitely suffers from pacing issues, as you feel it struggle to cover ground that perhaps it didn’t need to cover. Steve’s private life is very messily and inconsistently dealt with throughout the film and you feel as if like any good employee, it should have separated its personal and professional life, told one of those stories and told it well.
The film is interesting and does have its occasionally inspirational moments as you realize just how far technology has come and how far it can go. However it is when the film is trying to make you realize just how inspirational it all is, when it comes off as false and forced. With moments of eye rolling ‘You’re a prophet!’ preaching to Steve and a plodding pace, this can at times become a tedious film that I was ready to end. However it is important not to forget Ashton Kutcher. Whilst the film suffers from broadness and slowness, Kutcher is constantly commanding and surprisingly terrific in the lead role of Jobs. He has the voice and the mannerisms down perfectly and does a much better job than I expected him to do. He clearly has a lot of passion for the project and has given it much dedication which shines through in every frame. At the end of the film, Steve Jobs turns to the camera and says, “How was that?” whilst it was that character asking about a recording, it could have just as easily been Kutcher looking to the audience and all the critics, seeing whether he’d passed his test. Well he has, and the answer I was tempted to shout back was…great.
Funnily enough it is another Aaron Sorkin scripted film that most lingers in the mind whilst watching Jobs, The Social Network. That was a film that told the rise of a tech genius in an edgy and entertaining manner, taking risks, being both educating and engaging. Jobs is a film that doesn’t move at the same zip as that film, nor does it have its edge, with it lacking the experienced and masterful touches of the likes of David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin. The term, ‘a made for TV Social Network’ has been thrown at this film and it is easy to see why. However Jobs does have a surprisingly solid central performance from Ashton Kutcher and is not the evangelical portrayal of Steve Jobs that I expected. This is a film that isn’t afraid to show his darker, nastier side, though also one that may alienate those who aren’t already engaged and interested in this tale of the rise of Apple.
This is a film that paints in very broad strokes and at times is blatantly divorced from the truth in moments of melodrama. It is a film that all too frequently dives into cheesiness as we have characters emotionally and dramatically making monologues that feel ripped from Hollywood, rather than something which would have been said at the time, striking a jarring contrast with the real life story this film is attempting to tell. As well as it’s broadness, this is an over two hour film which feels it and it definitely suffers from pacing issues, as you feel it struggle to cover ground that perhaps it didn’t need to cover. Steve’s private life is very messily and inconsistently dealt with throughout the film and you feel as if like any good employee, it should have separated its personal and professional life, told one of those stories and told it well.
The film is interesting and does have its occasionally inspirational moments as you realize just how far technology has come and how far it can go. However it is when the film is trying to make you realize just how inspirational it all is, when it comes off as false and forced. With moments of eye rolling ‘You’re a prophet!’ preaching to Steve and a plodding pace, this can at times become a tedious film that I was ready to end. However it is important not to forget Ashton Kutcher. Whilst the film suffers from broadness and slowness, Kutcher is constantly commanding and surprisingly terrific in the lead role of Jobs. He has the voice and the mannerisms down perfectly and does a much better job than I expected him to do. He clearly has a lot of passion for the project and has given it much dedication which shines through in every frame. At the end of the film, Steve Jobs turns to the camera and says, “How was that?” whilst it was that character asking about a recording, it could have just as easily been Kutcher looking to the audience and all the critics, seeing whether he’d passed his test. Well he has, and the answer I was tempted to shout back was…great.
Summary: A film that paints broadly and moves slowly, yet has moments of inspiration and a surprisingly powerful performance from Ashton Kutcher.
Movie Parliament Rating: MINORITY GOVERNMENT
By Movie Parliament Prime Minister,
Michael Dalton
Disagree with this review? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
Movie Parliament Rating: MINORITY GOVERNMENT
By Movie Parliament Prime Minister,
Michael Dalton
Disagree with this review? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
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