Sorkin wrote "The Social Network," as he looked at Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, but this time, his trademark "walk and talk" scenes are overdone and unrealistic. All of them take place during three product launch countdowns ("Thirty minutes, Mr. Jobs!" "Five minutes, Steve!" "It's time! You don't want to be late!") so I constantly felt anxious and impatient with the intransigent Mr. J. In addition, each launch features the same six people backstage. Really??? Plus everyone yells, interrupts, swears, and no one EVER changes his or her mind.
The cast:
- Michael Fassbender ("12 Years a Slave") is Steve Jobs, a selfish, abrasive guy who marches to his own drummer. He can't write code, isn't a programmer, nor is he technical. He sees himself as an orchestra conductor, i.e., he doesn't play any instrument, but is in charge of everything.
- Seth Rogen ("The Interview") is Steve Wozniak, the brilliant geek who worked shoulder to shoulder with the "other" Steve to launch Apple. He's tired of being Ringo to Jobs' John.
- Kate Winslet ("Insurgent") is Joanna Hoffman, a woman who can go toe to toe with Jobs. She is the overworked dogsbody who, for decades, has kept him on schedule, placated his coworkers and looked out for his daughter Lisa.
- Jeff Daniels ("The Martian") is John Sculley, the CEO of Apple whose board of directors ousted Jobs when he wouldn't budge on his new operating system.
- Katherine Waterston ("Inherent Vise") has the thankless task of playing Chrisann Brennon, mother of Lisa, a daughter Jobs refuses to recognize even after DNA proves he is the father. (I said he was intransigent.) She has had a sinus infection for over 15 years.
- Perla Haney-Jardine ("Future Weather") is the third version of Lisa. We watch Lisa grow up on screen. Her relationship with her father is contentious to say the least. By the way, in this film, there is no mention of his wife or his other children....
- Michael Stuhlbarg ("Hugo") Andy Hertzfeld is constantly abused, insulted and demeaned by Jobs. In return, he suggests Lisa find a therapist and provides a strong masculine figure for her childhood. (Jobs never forgives him.)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Here is a sample:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3424367385
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Here is a sample:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3424367385
* * * * * * * * * * * *