Sundance Day Three

jOBS
Taking the lead from the Walter Isaacson book, this heavily-researched biopic starring Ashton Kutcher pulls no punches in its effort to provide a raw examination of the iconic Apple co-founder and visionary.  Covering the period from college to his vindicating return to Apple in 1997, we see Jobs in all his glory and depravity.  Personally, I found it difficult to assimilate the conflicting reactions.  I felt like I was being emotionally drawn and quartered.  I was fascinated by his drive and vision; inspired by his absolute devotion to originality and greatness; yet horrified at his character flaws and frequent callous disregard for people.

I must admit that I've never been an Ashton Kutcher fan, although I've only seen him in TV, but I thought his performance was powerful and moving, every bit as compelling as Daniel Day-Lewis' Lincoln.

It will be interesting to see how this movie does at the box office.  I'm not sure how the public will react to this often stark and morally ambiguous portrayal of someone who has quickly become a beloved American icon.

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete
The story of two young boys who are thrust together by circumstance to survive on their own one summer in the New York housing projects.  It is often discomforting and even painful to watch, particularly for those of us not accustomed to the inner-city world of poverty, addiction, crime, prostitution and welfare.  Yet despite this oppressive environment and the ongoing fight for survival it requires, there is enough love, friendship, kindness and fun to bring hope and occasional comfort.

Part of the magic of the film is that we immediately feel for young Mister (an excellent performance by Skylan Brooks) and Pete and are emotionally drawn to their story without having any idea what outcome or end result we are rooting for or might be possible.


I could easily come up with a dozen criticisms of the film.  Many would find the pacing too slow, and some script elements were a little far-reaching.  But I was deeply moved by the experience, more so than any movie I can recall, perhaps because some parts reminded me of a period in my early childhood.

Director George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor, Notorious) should be commended for making a powerful film.  He spoke after the premiere and explained some of his preparations, including bringing the boy actors from LA to spend time in the New York projects and with the children who lived there.  From listening to the boys, this had a tremendous impact on them.

Fun tidbit: At the Q&A, someone asked writer Michael Starrbury where he came up with the first name "Mister."  He said that former basketball legend Allen Iverson has a little brother named Mister.