Looking For "Jobs" In All The Wrong Places

Jobs (2013)
Rated PG-13 - Language

Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad

Directed by: Joshua Michael Stern

The Story:

The film opens with Steve Jobs (Kutcher) introducing the folks at Apple to his newest idea: the iPod (2001).  The we head back in time where he has dropped out of college, yet he still yearns to learn. Anything. Everything.  Next he's at Atari, where he brings in his friend Steve Wozniak (Gad) where they make a little miracle called Breakout, and then he's starting a business out of his garage.  The movie then jumps forward through the creation of Apple, Jobs ouster from his own company, until his triumphant return after being ostracized.

Well, that was something.

You know, I'll give Ashton Kutcher credit.  Buried under the beard, there are times it is easy to forget that this is the same goofy Ashton Kutcher we've come to know and either love or loathe over the last decade or so.  While I never would have pegged him to pull off a Steve Jobs role, he does a fine job as the star.

I Have A Dream...

It's the material that ultimately lets him, and the entire movie, down.

There is a story to be told, for certain.

Steve Jobs is a true visionary, and now that he is no longer with us, it's easy to see Hollywood lining up to tell his tale, whether it be honest or a hatchet job.

Only the people that were there can really verify the authenticity of what we are seeing on the screen, and the guy that lived every moment isn't going to call anyone on it, so where does that leave us?

Is Wozniak or Mike Markkula (Mulroney) going to come out and say "no that's not true..." or "yes, that's exactly what happened..."

Doubtful.

Therein lies the greatest problem with the movie.

That 70s Show!

They wanted to tell so much, in the end, they barely tell anything.

Each incident is glossed over quickly.  Years pass, people have moved on, and it simply is.

For example, Jobs first daughter, Lucy, whom he wants nothing to do with.

By the end of the movie, Steve is happily married, Lucy is hanging at his house and he has his own family now.

What the?  When did that happen?

It's staggering jumps like that which make the narrative a little hard to follow.

Separated at iBirth

I suppose if you are fully immersed in the back story already, this will simply be a Cliff's Notes version of the life of Steve Jobs.

If you only knew a little, this is a sampling of what his complicated life had to offer, and you'll be disappointed that it didn't reveal more.

At least that's where I'm at.

Final Grade: C

Would I Watch It Again: Nope, I think once was enough.

Would I Buy The Movie: Not a chance.