Time: 121 Minutes
Cast:
Jay Baruchel as Mike Lazaridis
Glenn Howerton as Jim Balsillie
Matt Johnson as Doug Fregin
Rich Sommer as Paul Stannos
Michael Ironside as Charles Purdy
Martin Donovan as Rick Brock
Michelle Giroux as Dara Frankel
SungWon Cho as Ritchie Cheung
Mark Critch as Gary Bettman
Saul Rubinek as John Woodman
Cary Elwes as Carl Yankowski
Director: Matt Johnson

BlackBerry was a very intriguing movie for me. It seemed to be among the recent string of movies based on products people recognise, like Tetris or Air (Air Jordans). But the movie about the BlackBerry seemed to be receiving some genuinely great reviews, and having seen it I think it lives up to all the praise.

BlackBerry benefits from a great screenplay. I certainly knew about the BlackBerry, but I didn’t have an in depth knowledge of its history, and it was interesting to learn about it. It’s an entertaining watch; it is paced well, there’s a good amount of enjoyable comedy, and the dialogue is very sharp. At the same time it really hits with the drama. It is yet another biopic focussing on a rise and fall, and while it does skip over some sections about the rise, on the whole I think it really delivered. You can probably figure out how it will end, but its nonetheless absorbing, even tense at times. There’s enough here on a story, character and thematic level that it doesn’t feel like yet another standard biopic.

The performances are all great, particularly with the main two leads in Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton. I’m used to seeing Baruchel in more comedic works, but this is the best I’ve seen him, he’s particularly fantastic in the second half. The standout from the whole movie however is Howerton, delivering a fierce, fiery and scene chewing performance. Director Matt Johnson is really good and convincing in another significant role, and other actors like Michael Ironside, Cary Elwes and SungWon Cho also perform their parts really well.

This is the first movie I’ve seen from Matt Johnson, based off this one movie, he’s a really solid director. he camerawork is reminiscent of a documentary/mockumentary, and with the camera zoom ins and movements, it does feel like its filmed like The Office or Succession. It captures the comedy incredibly well, but also the tension and claustrophobia, particularly in the second half. The only big criticism I have is that there are a lot of unconvincing wigs, mostly with the two leads. That said, the movie is good enough that you get used to it after a while.

BlackBerry is a surprisingly riveting and entertaining biopic that’s excellently written, well directed, and has fantastic performances, especially from Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton. I highly recommend checking it out, it’s one of my favourite movies of the year.