BlackBerry is a film directed by Matt Johnson and features Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, and the director himself in a charming role.
Despite its premise of being a Canadian biopic about the creation of a mobile phone, Blackberry is a delightful surprise due to its use of a handheld camera and vintage photography that give it a B-movie feel. It’s a hilarious clash between two different worldviews: the aggressive CEOs and the guys who grew up playing Doom in the 80s, who end up developing a million-dollar idea when they meet.
About the Movie
They say that comedies depend on the inspiration of their actors, and Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton were indeed inspired. The movie is an entertaining business story that’s full of humor, particularly in its geeky comedic tone that meets the world of Wall Street. Blackberry’s key success is its embrace of 80s geekdom, immersing us in a flood of references to video games, movies, and pop culture that keep us entertained and leave us with a perpetual smile. The characters aren’t particularly well-developed, and the story isn’t the most wonderful ever told, but it will fill your time with pleasant smiles as you reminisce about the creation of the Blackberry.
It loses some of its initial surprise due to the B-movie style of photography, but it manages to maintain interest through the transformation of its characters, who we grow to love. In our opinion, Blackberry is not outstanding, but it’s more than adequate and worthy of your time. It doesn’t aim to become a masterpiece in its genre, but it behaves in a dignified and appropriate manner.
Our Opinion
Overall, Blackberry is not a groundbreaking film, but it is more than adequate and dignified.
Storyline
Two unlikely partners, Mike Lazaridis, the brainy inventor, and Jim Balsillie, the shrewd businessperson, teamed up to create a product that would take the world by storm in just over a decade. This product was the BlackBerry, a mobile phone that quickly became addictive and revolutionized the way people worked, played, and communicated. However, despite its meteoric rise, BlackBerry began to lose its way amidst the chaos of the Smartphone wars, indecisive management, and external distractions, ultimately leading to the collapse of one of the most successful ventures in the history of tech and business.
Release Date
May 12
Where to watch Blackberry
In theaters
Director
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson (October 5, 1985; Toronto) is a Canadian filmmaker and actor. He is known for his independent feature films, including The Dirties (2013), which won Best Narrative Feature at the Slamdance Film Festival, and Operation Avalanche (2016), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and BlackBerry (2023) wich was in competition at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.
The Cast
Jay Baruchel
Matt Johnson
Glenn Howerton
Kelly Van der Burg
Greg Calderone Young
Laura Cilevitz
