'Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber' is a Wild Ride
The new SHOWTIME anthology series 'Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber' portrays its founder’s toxic drive to get ahead.
As soon as the term “tech bro” entered the lexicon, it took hold as an instantly recognizable modern archetype. They’re fast-talkers who use jargon like “disruption” and “stickiness” to pitch you on their world-changing vision. They’re quick with anecdotes and bite-sized fables masquerading as wisdom. They are unscrupulous in their business ethics but also their personal morality, admiring only the acclaim that comes with the good deed. And while some may try harder than others to hide it, most are pathologically greedy.
Based on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s portrayal of him in the new SHOWTIME series Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber, former Uber CEO Travis Kalanic is the bro-iest tech bro in the frat. The opening scene finds him praising employees who invent a new “safety” fee (which is born from concerns that their business is unsafe), while making sure that a prospective hire is an assh*le, because he only hires assh*les.
If this sounds a little over-the-top, it definitely is, even before Quinten Tarantino drops in for voiceover narration. Given its subject, that’s not a bad thing; the stratospheric rise of Uber and Kalanic’s theatrical self-determination lends itself to Wolf of Wall Street-esque stylization. But the first episode borrows even more heavily from the tone of The Social Network, perhaps unavoidably given the audience’s knowledge of its characters and where the tech is heading.
Some supporting characters are better-known than others. Kyle Chandler brings his patented paternal charm to the role of Bill Gurly, an early investor in Uber who buys into the idea more than the man. Elsewhere, Uma Thurman plays Huff Post founder Arriana Huffington, and there are other cameos from actors-playing-celebrities, a quality that make shows like American Crime Story ticklish fun. However, the show only works because of its lead, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt seems to truly savor the role, which gives him plenty of chewy monologues.
Even if the touchstones for Super Pumped are obvious, the show doesn’t feel derivative. Something exciting and new in a familiar space? That could be a pitch for the show or the company.
New episodes of Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber will be available Sundays on SHOWTIME. Use the link below to start watching Sling TV and add SHOWTIME to your Sling package.