BLACKBERRY – “A blistering business biopic with humour and wit in spades”

blackberry

RATING

DIRECTOR

Directed by: Matthew Johnson (The Dirties – 2013)

MAIN CAST

• Jay Baruchel as Mike Lazaridis
• Glenn Howerton as Jim Balsillie
• Cary Elwes as Carl Yankowski
• Saul Rubinek as John Woodman
• Michael Ironside as Charles Purdy
• Rich Sommer as Paul Stannos
• Michelle Giroux as Dara Frankel
• Matt Johnson as Douglas Fregin

SYNOPSIS

It is adapted from Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff’s book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry.

Tells the story of Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, the two men that charted the course of the spectacular rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone.

REVIEW SUMMARY

A blistering business biopic with humor and wit in spades, Matt Johnson’s Blackberry is definitely a movie to geek out about! Yep, the whip smart script is brought to life by a talented group of actors, each of whom deliver immensely memorable performances. And while an unrecognizable Jay Baruchel goes all in as Blackberry’s brainchild, Mike Lazaridis, it’s Glenn Howerton who steals the film as the hotheaded and cocksure Jim Balsille. It’s a brash and ballsy showing by Howerton, one that would fit right in on HBO’s Succession. Also adding to the movie’s appeal, is Johnson’s approach to camera work. The skilled documentary director uses his camera as if it were an added character in the scene – constantly moving and almost unsure what’s going to happen next. And trust me, this technique fits perfectly with the rollercoaster story at hand. I mean, I’m certain liberties were taken, but from humble Waterloo Ontario beginnings to a trackpad fiasco, the rise and fall of the world’s first smart phone is absolutely fascinating (as are the people behind it all). Add in a crackling soundtrack and all the late 90s / early 2000s throwbacks you can handle, and the result is cinema gold!

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