Steve Jobs: Man In The Machine

Steve Jobs: Man in the Machine (2015) is a thought-provoking documentary about Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. and a notable figure in the tech world. Directed and produced by two-time Oscar-winner Alex Gibney (known for his groundbreaking documentaries "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" and "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief"), the film provides an in-depth look at Job's life, personality, and the notable impact he made on the digital era.

Featuring interviews from numerous individuals who had personal or professional connections to Jobs, including longtime collaborator and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, the film offers a comprehensive analysis of Job's persona. It explores his staggering reach on society, and his long-lasting legacy in the fast-paced sphere of technology.

Steve Jobs: Man in the Machine does not attempt to lionize its subject. Instead, it delves into the complex personality of Jobs, creating a compelling juxtaposition between his undeniable genius and the well-documented aspects of his behavior that were a source of contention. Gibney examines Job's story with a critical eye, presenting an account that is both enlightening and, at times, unsettling.

The documentary is broken down into detailed segments, each one focusing on a different phase of Jobs’ career and life. Starting from Apple's humble beginnings in the late 1970s, it explores the launch of the groundbreaking Apple II computer, the introduction of the iconic Macintosh, Job's controversial departure, and his triumphant return that launched Apple's rise as a tech titan. Additionally, the film delves into the intricate interpersonal relationships that Jobs had with his colleagues, friends, and family members, emphasizing the fine line between his driven nature and his dismissive attitude towards others.

With tactfully arranged interviews, comprehensive investigative reporting, and archival news footage, Steve Jobs: Man in the Machine seeks to uncover the man behind the machine, the human behind the visionary. It questions the culture of adulation that surrounds Jobs and other influential tech figures by highlighting the polarity of the personal and public personas that Jobs had. On one hand, his innovative thinking and relentless ambition were instrumental in shaping the digital age. On the other, the film reveals Job's complex personal relationships, which were often fraught with controversy, and paints a deeply nuanced portrait of his drive and vision.

A prominent theme throughout the documentary is the impact of Job's work on society, culture, and human connection. The film carefully dissects the phenomenon of the 'Cult of Mac', the Pixar era, the creation of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, and the subsequent technological revolution that glued millions of people to their devices and sparked significant changes in the way we communicate and live.

Steve Jobs: Man in the Machine also raises alarming questions about the ethics of working conditions within the tech industry, bringing to light the darker side of Apple's success story. While Jobs’ innovations were ushering in a bright and shiny new era of wonders, they were also casting a long shadow related to the troubling labor issues in the overseas factories that produced these popular gadgets.

The documentary ends with a sobering reflection on Jobs’ death, painting an eerily somber picture of a society viewing the event through different screens - tiny and massive, handheld and desktop, all brought to life by the very man whose passing they lamented.

Steve Jobs: Man in the Machine does not shy away from delving into the uncomfortable truths about Jobs' life and work. It creates a detailed and balanced portrait of a man who played a pivotal role in shaping the technological world as we know it today. To those looking for an in-depth portrayal of the life and legacy of Steve Jobs, this compelling documentary serves as a uniquely candid investigation of a man who intrinsically understood how subtly the line is drawn between humans and the machines they create.