An honest and revealing look at Steve Jobs that is worth watching.
When Steve Jobs met his untimely death almost four years ago, millions mourned the loss of a man they never met. In some circles, he is more of a legend than a man. Sure, you can argue it was because he was the maker of great phones and computers, but to have affected so many people in such a deep way, there had to be something else. This is what inspired Oscar winning director Alex Gibney to choose the life of Jobs as his latest topic to film. The 128 minute documentary offers a great, unbiased, and telling view into the life of such a hallowed figure.
The film uses a beautiful mix of old footage of Jobs when he was alive and new footage of those who knew him during certain periods of his life, such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and former girlfriend Chrisann Brennan. They tell of a Jobs who was less of a free going hippie in business who could care less about the money and shed light on a man who isn’t as he seems. These interviews juxtapose, in part, the glory reels of Jobs’ interviews where the charismatic part of himself is shown and the peaceful Japanese setting of the temple he used to visit. You are enthralled from the first moment to the last, wanting to know more about this man you for some reason thought you knew.
What makes this documentary a great watch is how well put together, edited, and thought provoking it is. Many of us own Apple products and may even feel a sort of personal attachment to Apple, which at the end of the day is just another big corporation. Gibney wanted to bring to light the more brutal side of Jobs in his vicious corporate tactics and he did so in a great way. For all the great things Jobs did, there were also some bad. From his money driven actions to his almost cruel treatment of workers in China, he begins to seem less like the good guy he convinced people he was.
Gibney at no point bashes Jobs. He paints us this interesting picture of a man who had a profound attachment and relationship with the technology he helped built and how he imparted that to all of us. Jobs transformed the way we thought about machines. He made us think about phones and computers as extensions of ourselves that ought to be loved, not feared.
At times, the film may feel a little slow or dull during the wordier parts, but always provides interesting details. If you’re expecting a highlight reel of Jobs’ triumphs, you’ve come to the wrong place. For those of you interested in an honest and unbiased telling of Jobs’ life, the good and the bad, this is the film for you. Regardless, make the time to check this film.
The film will be in Theaters and On Demand September 4.