Tuesday, May 6, 2014

JOBS (2013)

Recently I heard that another Steve Jobs film was in the works. Knowing that this one had already been made I didn't understand why they would be talking about making another only months later. JOBS doesn't cover every important aspect of Jobs' eventful career and life. He certainly had an extraordinary life.

JOBS tells the story of how Steve Jobs and his team of innovators perfected the idea of the personal computer over the course of more than two decades. In the beginning, while working at ATARI, Jobs recruited the help of his friend Steve Wozniak. From here they worked together to form Apple Computers. Jobs' perspective in his work, as well as in life, was that the stasis of everything could always change. He fought for enthusiasm, and vision among his creative teams. In this way, the passion would keep everyone on track towards changing the world and the future of technology. When others told him he couldn't do something, he accepted the challenged to make it possible. Steve Jobs believed in his product. Everyone doubted him, and he proudly proved them wrong.

The cast list for this film was a surprise, many familiar faces. Ashton Kutcher played Steve Jobs brilliantly. I've never been acquainted with his dramatic mask, but this was a perfect performance. It was easy for me to follow along with every emotion. Ashton's performance was moving, honest, and heartfelt. I really appreciate the depth of his character. Jobs wasn't an easy person to impress or get along with. When he made up his mind, there was no changing it. Ashton delivered a version of him we could all find ways to relate to and believe in.

Josh Gad plays Steve Wozniak, a sensitive but brilliant engineer who helps push Jobs' idea to fruition. Lukas Haas plays a good friend of Jobs'. We also see the likes of Dermot Mulroney, Matthew Modine, J.K. Simmons, Lesley Ann Warren, Masi Oka, and James Woods.

I suppose I can see why another Steve Jobs biopic is in the works. This film focused on the Apple and Macintosh products progression, and not as much on Jobs' personal battles. It was apparent that there was an imbalance in his life, but this film didn't touch on it much. In the beginning, the film focused on his youthful lifestyle as a college dropout. He never wore shoes, had poor hygiene, but survived by his ideas. Ideas that he was meant for something bigger, but he wasn't sure what yet. There was a long bit towards the beginning of the film that highlighted his experience getting high on LSD with his girlfriend and friend. While high, he seemingly has an epiphany. After this, the innovator in him was awakened.

The film began slow, but once Jobs and Wozniak begin working together, the film picks up. It was beautifully shot, representing the mid 1970's well. This was probably the performance of Ashton Kutcher's career, so far. For that alone, I recommend seeing this. Very riveting, and inspirational.

My favorite quotes from the film, Steve Jobs says,

“When you grow up you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and you're life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That's a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it… Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again.”    


"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius."



Steve Jobs

Ashton Kutcher in JOBS








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