Sorkin says he has no visual sensibility after film flop

Aaron Sorkin believes his inability to direct effectively may be a permanent flaw. The 65-year-old screenwriter stated that the specific weaknesses he faces behind the camera are the parts of the craft that cannot be taught. He made the assessment while discussing The Social Reckoning, a film he wrote and directed that failed to match the box office success of his previous work.

The movie, which centers on Facebook and its knowledge of social harm, released nationwide on October 9. Sony spent $40 million on the production. The film has grossed just $15 million worldwide. Critics have been mixed, with the movie currently holding a 54 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. This performance stands in contrast to The Social Network, another Sorkin script released 16 years ago, which was directed by David Fincher.

Sorkin explained that he was not the first choice to helm the new project. He preferred Fincher, who has an exclusive deal with Netflix, to direct. Since Sony owned the rights to The Social Reckoning, Sorkin stepped into the director's chair. He noted that he has been writing films for 35 years and has won multiple Oscars and Golden Globes for screenplays, including for The Social Network and The Trial of the Chicago 7.

Despite his writing accolades, Sorkin has faced criticism for his directing work over the past decade. He previously directed Molly's Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Being the Ricardos. In a recent interview, he compared his feelings to a football coach after a loss. He said the elements for success were present but did not come together. He asked for one more chance to put those pieces in the right order.

Sorkin identified his lack of visual sensibility as the primary hurdle. He admitted he was surprised by how little of filmmaking science he had absorbed. He contrasted this with his ability to work with actors, which he considers a strength. He said he is not done wanting to work with great directors and has learned from collaborating with figures like Rob Reiner and Mike Nichols. However, he worries that his core visual gaps are innate talents rather than skills he can acquire.

The director also addressed the changing film industry during the interview. He suggested that most of his 11 feature films, excluding A Few Good Men, would likely be streaming projects today rather than theatrical releases. He cited the current budget structure of the market. Sorkin also discussed a new Lincoln Center revival of A Few Good Men, which he is rewriting after 35 years. He described the process as creating a new play and noted he is working on it sober, a change from when he first wrote it at age 25.

Sorkin also touched on the possibility of reviving The West Wing. He expressed a desire to rekindle the series but noted that the cast has aged and that he requires a strong story beyond just dialogue. The interview took place at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where Sorkin received the Maverick Director Award for The Social Reckoning. He plans to continue directing despite his current doubts about his visual instincts.