Movie director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin bring us a cerebral look at Steve Jobs through three computer releases, two from Apple and one from NeXT. It is based on the biography written by author Walter Isaacson. 

In 1984, the Apple Macintosh’s voice demo is failing just before its launch. As Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender) and his marketing executive Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet) try to solve the crisis, Jobs is confronted by his former girlfriend (Katherine Waterston) and his daughter Lisa, whom he denies is his. Though he is adamant that she is not his daughter, he later agrees to buy them a house. Meanwhile, he rants about how he was supposed to be Times’ Man of the Year, but a drawing of a man over a PC graces the cover. 

This is followed by the 1988 launch of NeXT computer. Here he is confronted by Apple CEO John Scully (Jeff Daniels) who says Jobs is fueling the rumor that he fired Steve when it was the board. Also, engineer Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen) also confronts Jobs, accusing him of being an egotist which Jobs dismisses. Meanwhile, he accuses his former girlfriend of being negligent in her duties as a mother to Lisa. 

In 1998, John Scully has been fired from Apple and now the launch of the iMac is underway. Wozniak demands Jobs acknowledge the Apple II team, but Jobs refuses, saying the Apple II is what almost caused the collapse of Apple. However, a confrontation with Lisa (Perla Haney-Jardine) gets him to open up.

Personally, I think Aaron Sorkin is a political hack, but he is a good writer and this script proved it. Normally, I need my films to have a little bit of action, but the screenplay and Boyle’s amazing directing skills kept my attention the whole time. Each segment also has various flashbacks to different points in Steve Jobs’ personal history. A couple of them were random, but others were well placed and told an interesting history of Steve Jobs.

When it comes to the cast, their acting was superb and their performances powerful. Fassbender truly gave his all as the genius behind Apple, showing the sides of Steve that could be creative, cold, and even benevolent. Winslet is also brilliant and I applaud her steadfast dedication to the role of Hoffman. She is incredible and I love how she dove into the part. 

Bottom line, when it comes to Steve Jobs I am surprised that this movie did not win more awards at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Yes, it was that good and I highly recommend it. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: I play the orchestra. 

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Strong language

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my reviews of In Dreams and A Good Woman. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

You can find me everywhere on social media! Facebook: Author Jacob Airey | Instagram: realjacobairey | Twitter: @realJacobAirey | MeWe: Link | YouTube: StudioJake | Minds: Link | Rumble: StudioJake Media