Sorkin Admits Visual Gaps in New Film

Aaron Sorkin expressed concern that his weaknesses in directing are innate traits that cannot be acquired through experience. Speaking at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the screenwriter discussed The Social Reckoning, a film about Facebook that he wrote and directed. He acknowledged that the movie, which opened in theaters on Oct. 9, has underperformed financially and critically compared to his previous work.

Sony Pictures released the film, which cost $40 million to produce. It has earned $15 million worldwide and holds a 54 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Sorkin noted that he was the second choice to helm the project. He explained that David Fincher, who directed the 2010 film The Social Network based on Sorkin's script, was unavailable due to an exclusive deal with Netflix. Sorkin stated that he would prefer Fincher to direct everything, but the production circumstances required him to step behind the camera.

The Social Reckoning is a sequel to The Social Network, which Sorkin wrote 16 years ago. The new film features Mikey Madison as a whistleblower, Jeremy Allen White as a journalist, and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. It depicts the social media company's knowledge of its harmful effects and subsequent cover-up. Sorkin has written for 35 years and is considered one of the top screenwriters in the industry, having won Oscars for The Social Network and Golden Globes for Steve Jobs.

Over the last decade, Sorkin directed four films, including Molly's Game and The Trial of the Chicago 7. He has received mixed reviews for his visual approach. In his recent interview, he compared his directing challenges to those of a football coach after a loss. He said the elements for success were present but failed to align. He added, "Just give me one more chance, and one of these days I'll be able to put it all together."

Sorkin described his lack of visual intuition as a primary issue. He said, "I have no visual sensibility, it turns out." He noted that he was surprised by how little he had absorbed regarding the science of filmmaking. He contrasted this with his ability to work with actors, which he did not cite as a struggle. He observed that he feels like a newcomer to the industry despite his long career in writing.

He reflected on the concept of talent in screenwriting and directing. Sorkin said that some aspects of writing can be taught, but others are inherent. He expressed worry that the parts of directing where he struggles fall into that inherent category. He stated, "I'm very worried that the parts of directing that I'm not good at are those parts that you can't learn."

Sorkin also addressed the changing landscape of movie budgets. He noted that this was his 11th film and suggested that most of his previous works would be streaming titles today rather than theatrical releases. He mentioned that only A Few Good Men would likely still be a feature film in the current market.

During the interview, Sorkin discussed a new production of A Few Good Men at Lincoln Center. He revealed that he is rewriting the play, which he originally wrote at age 25. He said he is working on it sober and clean, contrasting this with his early Broadway debut. He also expressed a desire to revive The West Wing, noting that he misses the cast and the show but requires a strong story to proceed.

Sorkin received the Maverick Director Award at the festival. He is 65 years old and has written for television and film for decades. His recent directing projects have drawn attention to his evolving role in Hollywood. The interview took place during the recording of an episode for The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast.