BlackBerry, Matt Johnson’s 2023 film, is a gripping and spirited drama that chronicles the inspiring journey of a small Canadian tech startup, Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), and its groundbreaking invention: the BlackBerry. This pioneering device, capable of delivering emails, paved the way for modern-day smartphones and brought RIM immense success. Hollywood loves an underdog story, and BlackBerry delivers just that, with a bittersweet twist at the end.
BlackBerry, which premiered at Berlinale 2023, is a comedy-drama based on Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff’s book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry. Johnson directed the film and co-wrote the script with Matthew Miller. Johnson also stars as Douglas Fregin, who co-founded RIM with Mike Lazaridis (played by Jay Baruchel). The film portrays Lazaridis and Fregin as shy, fun-loving nerds with a strong grasp of engineering but a severe lack of business acumen. Fortunately, a timely encounter with corporate powerhouse Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) leads to him investing in their fledgling company and ultimately guiding them to astronomical success.
BlackBerry Is The Tech Drama We Need In 2023
BlackBerry follows in the footsteps of 2010’s The Social Network and Apple’s 2023 film Tetris as a historical drama about a tech invention that changed the world. However, BlackBerry stands out with its captivating account of a company’s meteoric rise and sudden fall; BlackBerry went from dominating the cellular market with its best-in-class product to virtually disappearing seemingly overnight (thanks, Apple). While the story could easily be portrayed as a tragedy, Matt Johnson (the creative mind behind the delightfully quirky Canadian web series Nirvana the Band the Show) takes BlackBerry in a refreshingly unexpected direction.
BlackBerry is one of the biggest surprises of 2023. Johnson elevates his source material, transforming the story of Canadian tech nerds hitting the big time into a heartfelt, sincere tale about a group of incredibly talented men who are passionate about their work and their homeland. The film lovingly celebrates RIM’s achievements — these guys solved a major data limitation problem before any of the other, better-funded companies could (as Mike puts it, they were “the best engineers in Canada”). The film’s warm-toned color grading and natural, documentary-style camerawork evoke a sense of intimate nostalgia. BlackBerry feels personal and authentic.
BlackBerry Is Defined By Its Stellar Lead Actors
BlackBerry is driven by the exceptional performances of its lead actors. Both Baruchel and Howerton are unrecognizable in the best possible way. Known for roles like Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon or Sandusky in Tropic Thunder, Baruchel plays against type as the straight man surrounded by larger-than-life personalities. His portrayal of the shy, soft-spoken Mike is one of the actor’s most subdued roles, yet Baruchel captivates the audience with his performance.
In contrast, Howerton is fiercer, meaner, and more intense than ever before. His portrayal of Jim, a hard, ruthless character you can’t help but admire, is at the center of the movie’s most hilarious and outrageous moments. Howerton’s performance will undoubtedly spawn countless gifs, memes, and iconic lines (watch out for T-shirts featuring his face and the caption “I’m from Waterloo”). Known for his comedic work in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it’s refreshing to see Howerton showcase his Julliard-trained acting skills.
BlackBerry is filled with countless gems, from its dry humor that complements the dramatic intensity to the charming visual gags that enhance already gripping scenes. Michael Ironside is fantastic as the formidable Charles Purdy (his delivery of the line “little boys playing with their penises” is perfection). Johnson is endearing and goofy as the lovable (if hapless) Doug. Newfoundland-native Mark Critch even makes an appearance, adding some sass and playing an American. BlackBerry is a well-crafted, refreshing film that honors its source material and stands on its own as a remarkable piece of cinema.
TVOvermind Rating: 4.5/5
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