JOBS

With Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, Matthew Modine, Lesley Ann Warren, J.K. Simmons, John Getz

Written by Matt Whiteley
Directed by Joshua Michael Stern

One of the most fascinating entrepreneurs of the last few decades is Apple co-creator Steve Jobs. He was not only part of making the home computer a reality, but expanded the way the world listens to music and uses a cell phone, from the iMac and iPod, to iPhone and iPad – his company becoming the most valuable global player as a result.
This biopic looks at his development from hippie student to tech-mogul (with quite a few trampled bodies in his wake). Not thinking like others who were at the forefront of computer development in the 1970s, Jobs was the conceptual visionary and Steve Wozniak the technical executer, and with some talented friends they set up their own company in a garage, very much on a wing and a prayer – But others saw the revolutionary potential in what they were spearheading, and invested. This snow-balled into one of the most powerful computer companies in the world.

Sure, some dramatic liberties were taken in this movie, but then, there are also a few elements that were omitted – while more exciting than most, his life was not necessarily wall-to-wall exhilaration. With a mind set to get everything to fit his vision, his headstrong attitude (and bad choice of CEO) led to him being ousted from the company he helped build from scratch. I feel his lengthy period away from Apple could've been expanded a bit.
The producers didn't hold back in portraying him as a dick when he acted like one, but I don't know if he was even more or less so than portrayed here.

Ashton Kutcher was a good choice, but one thing that bugged me was his replication of Jobs' walk – whether he had a dorky walk like that or not, it's exaggeration in Kutcher's body just removed me from the believability of his portrayal... small, but just distracting enough.

For a movie that focuses more on the early days and the birth of the Apple / Microsoft rivalry, check out 1999 Pirates Of Silicone Valley (or track down the book by Freiberger & Swaine).

4 / C
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice