'jOBS' is a spectacular film,
even with its subtle differences
Biography,
Drama. Not Rated. 2 hours, 2 minutes.
|
| Movie
still credit: Five Star Feature Films |
Ashton
Kutcher in Five Star Feature Films' "jOBS" - 2013
|
|
"jOBS"
is a biographical drama film about the career of Apple Computer
founder Steve Jobs from its start as a partnership all the way
to the world’s largest publicly-traded corporation in the
world. Ashton Kutcher plays the title role of the late founder,
who died in 2011. The movie made its world premiere at the Sundance
Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 25.
The film opens with
a scene of Steve Jobs talking to his associates in 2001. He introduced
a new product to them that he said would change the world. Gone
are cassette players and CD players. Jobs showed off the very
first edition of the Apple iPod. Woo-Hoo! Employees were greatly
impressed and gave him a standing ovation.
Then, the credits roll.
Josh Gad plays Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak while Dermot Mulroney
plays the role of Mike Markkula (an Angel investor and second
CEO of the company). Matthew Modine starred as John Sculley, Apple’s
CEO from 1983-1993). John Gets plays Steve’s father, Paul,
and Lesley Ann Warren stars as his mother, Clara.
"jOBS"
shows many of the ups-and-downs in the late founder’s life.
He had trouble getting along with the ladies—and members
of his own family because he was so dedicated to working. Steve
burned the midnight oil on a daily basis. He also spent very close
attention to detail. When most people thought something was finished,
he disagreed and asked them to re-do it. Jobs wanted Apple to
stay ahead of the curve by inventing products that people didn’t
know they needed.
Apple Computer started
as a partnership between Jobs, Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. First,
they sold a computer kit, which was basically a motherboard. It
did not include a monitor, keyboard or mouse. This “Apple
I” computer kit was first introduced at the Homebrew Computer
Club in Silicon Valley. Then, the “Apple II” debuted
at the West Coast Computer Faire in 1977. It was the first computer
that combined everything into what is now known as a personal
computer. The Apple II featured colored graphics, and the introduction
of a 5 1⁄4-inch floppy disk.
Later in the film,
Jobs began working on the Apple Lisa project in 1978. Four years
later, he was removed from the team and placed on a new project
known as the Macintosh. In 1984, the Macintosh was introduced
to consumers with a $1.5-million television commercial during
the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII.
In 1983, Apple’s
board of directors asked Jobs to step down as CEO. Jobs was very
hesitant, but agreed as long as he could select his successor.
He picked Pepsi CEO John Sculley as his successor. The Apple board
thought it was going to be a long shot. However, after Jobs invited
Sculley to his house, he agreed to accept the position. Then,
the board of directors told the new CEO to limit Jobs’ ability
to launch new, untested products that were destined to fail.
Another problem arose.
Microsoft came out with an operating system that was very similar
to Apple’s Lisa. Jobs picked up the phone and yelled at
Bill Gates. Then, a lawsuit was filed. The movie didn’t
show any of the lawsuit, but it was eventually dismissed. After
more products didn’t’ sell, Sculley was replaced by
Michael Spindler, who started at Apple’s European operations.
You’ll have to
see the film to see what happens next. I really enjoyed this movie
for several reasons. Ashton Kutcher is one of my favorite actors.
In addition, I am a proud owner of several Apple products and
I was interested in seeing the history of the company. Kutcher
looked identical to Jobs in the opening scene. I couldn’t
tell the difference.
Joshua Michael Stern
(“Swing Vote”) directed the movie. Three days of filming
took place at Jobs’ childhood home in Los Altos, Calif.
The other 28 days of shooting were done in Los Angeles. "jOBS"
is 122 minutes long and is currently unrated. The MPAA will soon
offer it a rating once it has a chance to screen it. The movie
was completed with an estimated budget of $8.5 million.
There has already been
some controversy surrounding "jOBS."
Apple
Co-Founder Steve Wozniak said that is “totally wrong.”
Well, this movie is a drama. No one said it was a documentary.
Of course certain parts of the film were made up. I would say
about 90 percent of it is true. Wozniak turned down the opportunity
to work on the film after calling the script “crap.”
Secondly, Kutcher told the Associated Press that he was hospitalized
for pancreatic pain after being on Jobs’ fruitarian diet
before filming began. Pancreatic cancer is what killed the Apple
founder in 2011.
Most films come to
the Park City, Utah-based film festival without a distribution
deal. However, "jOBS" is so popular that Open Road Films
picked it up for a wide release even before the first screening.
Look for "jOBS" to hit theaters nationwide on Friday,
April 19.
I would invite everyone
to see the movie "jOBS."
Whether you like Apple products or not, go see it! I challenge
all of you Microsoft fans to learn more about how Apple got started…
OVERALL RATING:
A
For more information
about "jOBS," visit the official website at www.thejobsmovie.com
and the official Facebook
page.
|
| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Ashton
Kutcher signing autographs for his fans on the red carpet on Jan.
25, 2013.
|
| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
"jOBS"
made its world premiere at the Eccles Theatre during the
2013 Sundance Film Festival.
| |
| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Fans
waiting patiently inside the Eccles to see the world premiere.
|
