It is true that both films discard regular narrative structures in favour of telling their stories in more unconventional ways. Kane is structured into different recollections from those closest to the recently deceased magnate, including his second wife, his butler, and a rare friend. Sorkin structures Steve Jobs in a similar way, centering the scenes around three pivotal Apple product launches throughout the 80s and 90s. With both directors, however, it is what happens behind the scenes of the lives of these great men that interests them. What lies at the heart of Kane and Jobs as characters is a sense of abandonment carried through from childhood. Both are insecure and crave love, but insist upon attaining it on their own terms, subsequently estranging their friends and loved ones.
Despite so many shared qualities, sadly, if we compare just based on the quality of the films, it is looking highly unlikely that Jobs could come close to matching the hypnotic deep focus and fascinating sound techniques which have had Kane ranked as the greatest film ever made for over fifty years. However, it is interesting to see that the issues Kane engages with are still relevant to people and films today. With the world, companies, and personal wealth only getting bigger for each new global success, it seems that we still have much to learn. The moral of both films is clear, however: if we do not, we will die alone, a bleak forecast which no amount of money can prevent.
