STEVE JOBS

“Think Different” – Steve Jobs

– Steve Jobs Commencement Speech at Stanford University in 2005

Steve Jobs and I had a lot in common. We both love and obsessed over Apple. We both practice Buddhism – Jobs practiced Zen and I practice Nichiren Buddhism.  We both believe in living in the here and  now. We both believe in doing what you loved and to never settle for less than.

My obsession with Apple began with the iPod.  While on tour, I traveled with a cassette player and case that housed all my gear.  It was bulky, heavy and took up ALOT of room in my luggage. Small enough to fit into my purse or carry-on bag, an iPod could fit into my purse.  I could listen to music for hours AND an iPod it held up to 1000 songs. coincidentally, this is the very reason Jobs created an iPod.

After his death from Pancreatic Cancer in 2010, Steve Jobs became a mythical, technological wizard around the world with his buddy Steve Wozniak.  Woz  and Jobs revolutionized the way millions connect around the world.

Primarily patterned after the Walter Isaacson book “Steve Jobs”, this biopic is smart, savvy and leaves you salivating for more at the final frame.  With a crafty Aaron Sorkin screenplay and brilliant direction by Danny Boyle, “Steve Jobs” proves to be a different type of biopic filmed in three important stages of Jobs’ life and career. Every scene plays like an elaborate dance of characters and rapid-fire dialogue.

I have to give it up to Francine Maisler for casting a cast to be rivaled.  Kate Winslet is a joy to behold as Jobs’ most trusted confidant, Joanna Hoffman.  This chick masters an Armenian accent while navigating speedy dialogue all while running up and down corridors.  Winslet slays every ounce of this role with an ease that is admirable and exciting to witness.

Jeff Daniels, who at this point is a pro at rattling off Aaron Sorkin dialogue after spending several seasons on Sorkin’s critically acclaimed drama “The Newsroom”.  Daniels portrays John Scully with quiet bravado laced with dignity and pride.  When he and Jobs are at odds in some very difficult scenes, Daniels very easily could’ve played the victim, but makes a choice to play Scully as a strong, independent man who breaks away from the mechanical puppet master – Steve Jobs.

Those scenes with Daniels and Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) are the most fascinating portions of this film and I predict will earn them both a lot of praise and attention this awards season along their co-stars Kate Winslet and Seth Rogan.

Rogan, gives you just the right amount of humor and sensitivity to convince you that he is indeed Steve Wozniak.  A very prolific scene between Jobs and Woz in the orchestra pit of the San Francisco is one of many highlights in which Jobs confesses to Woz, “You are a very talented musician, but I play the orchestra”.

Last, but certainly not least is Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs.  Admittedly, Fassbender was the last person that I would’ve thought of to play Jobs.  I gotta tell ya…I was a million percent wrong.  Fassbender morphs into the Steve Jobs we have all seen in the product launches and interviews and along with his crazy command of the massive amounts of dialogue he spouts out it is my bet that he will be the frontrunner for Best Actor this season.

Fassbender portrays Jobs as a kinder, gentler man in regards to his relationships with his daughter Lisa and trusted advisor Joanna Hoffman.

Steve Jobs launched into selected theaters earlier this month and opens nationwide today October 23rd.